Wow! First off, this should be a 3.5, not a four. However, you can't do that on this system.

It is provocative and well-written as always. If you can get past the 20th grade reading level words, you will find this book easy to get through due to its short chapters. But it is incredibly challenging to process.

While I am in many ways, but not entirely, the Wicked Son Mamet refers to, his points mostly strengthened my own convictions. It's sort of the way I feel after reading Bill O'Reilly.

There were certainly some excellent points that really made me think. But mostly, it was extrapolating from the secular Jew to other secular populations.

Overall, it is very interesting and thought-provoking. It makes you consider different perspectives and question your own beliefs. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in exploring the intersection of religion and secularism.

This is a stupid angry book written by a stupid angry guy. It truly lacks any originality or value. Even when considering what it is supposed to be and the genre it belongs to in today's context, it fails to offer anything worthwhile.

From the very beginning, it becomes evident that the author's anger has overshadowed any potential for creativity or meaningful content. The writing is充斥着rancor and vitriol, making it a tiresome read.

I feel that I have wasted my precious time on this book. There are so many other excellent works out there that could have provided me with entertainment, enlightenment, or both. This one, unfortunately, does not even come close to meeting those standards.

In conclusion, I would not recommend this book to anyone. It is a prime example of what not to do when writing, and it serves as a reminder that anger alone does not make for a good book.

This is the 1st edition of a remarkable book.

What makes it even more special is that it has been signed and inscribed by the author himself.

The signature adds a personal touch, making it a unique and cherished item for any book lover.

The inscription, on the other hand, might hold a special message or dedication, further enhancing the value of this edition.

Owning a copy of this 1st edition, signed and inscribed by the author, is like having a piece of literary history in your hands.

It allows you to connect with the author on a deeper level and gain a better understanding of their work.

Whether you choose to display it proudly on your bookshelf or read it carefully, this book is sure to bring joy and inspiration for years to come.

It is a true collector's item that will be treasured by generations.

Santa Claus = child-sacrifice myth

Santa Claus is often regarded as a beloved figure associated with Christmas, bringing gifts and joy to children. However, some theories suggest that the origin of Santa Claus may have roots in a more disturbing myth.

The idea that Santa Claus is related to child sacrifice might seem far-fetched at first. But when we look deeper into the historical and cultural context, there are some interesting connections.

In some ancient cultures, there were rituals and beliefs that involved sacrificing children. These practices were often related to religious or spiritual beliefs, and were seen as a way to appease the gods or ensure the well-being of the community.

Over time, these rituals and beliefs may have evolved and transformed into the more benign figure of Santa Claus that we know today. But the underlying theme of sacrifice and the idea of a figure who comes to visit children at night and bring them gifts may still carry some of the echoes of the original myth.

Of course, this is just a theory, and there is no conclusive evidence to prove that Santa Claus is directly related to child sacrifice. But it does raise some interesting questions about the origin and meaning of this beloved Christmas tradition.

This book was rife with false equivalences, unfounded assumptions, and an abundance of anger.

While I do concur with the general notion that a significant number of Jews are distancing themselves from their religion and identity perhaps due to a certain degree of self-hatred, I strongly disagree with the manner in which this idea is presented within the pages of this book.

The plight of the Palestinians is completely overlooked, as is the potential good that can emerge from intermarriage. Additionally, the remarkable work of the reform movement in the realm of social justice is disregarded.

Moreover, the vocabulary employed is pretentious and makes the book rather unreadable. Despite considering myself a proficient reader with a relatively wide vocabulary, I found it extremely challenging to peruse this book without constantly referring to a dictionary.

Overall, I would not recommend this book. However, I remain hopeful that I will come across a more engaging and comprehensive book on this fascinating topic.

I really liked his questions. They were always thought-provoking and made me think deeply about various matters. It was as if he had an ability to dig beneath the surface and uncover the hidden aspects of a topic. However, I did not always like his answers. Sometimes, they seemed a bit too simplistic or did not fully address the complexity of the issue at hand. There were occasions when I felt that he could have provided more detailed and comprehensive explanations. But despite this, his questions still had a great impact on me. They challenged my thinking and pushed me to explore different perspectives. Overall, while I may not have been completely satisfied with his answers all the time, I still valued his input and the way he made me engage with the subject matter.

This book was unfathomably terrible.

It seems to be written for an audience that I truly don't believe exists outside the author David Mamet's head.

Seriously, it's not even a decent example of reading an opposing argument as it's total garbage.

If you desire to loathe playwright/author/poet/egotist David Mamet as well, spare yourself the time of reading this book and instead watch any of his films. They are certain to fill you with a slimy sense of disgust.

However, I suppose the above statement is open to debate if anyone has a different opinion on the book.

Perhaps there are some who might find merit in Mamet's work that I have failed to see.

It could be that his writing style or the ideas he presents resonate with a particular group of people.

Nevertheless, based on my own experience with this book, I cannot recommend it to others.

I really struggled to get through this book.

It was my husband who suggested it, and out of respect for his opinion, I made the effort.

However, I found the author's vocabulary to be frustratingly over the top. The sentences were so convoluted that it was often difficult to understand the intended meaning.

Moreover, the topics seemed to wander aimlessly, making it hard to follow the author's train of thought.

To be honest, I disagreed with about 90% of what he had to say. It all felt very one-sided, as if the author was only presenting his own perspective without considering other viewpoints.

Overall, this was not a book that I would recommend to others.

Sure, please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded.

The Wicked Son by David Mamet has been described by Professor Don Siegel in rather strong terms. He called it “incendiary stuff,” “strong language designed to shock,” and said it was “neither politically correct nor designed to make Jewish readers feel good about themselves.” I wholeheartedly agree with these sentiments. Professor Siegel loaned me the book after he finished reading it, and I have to say, I would take it a step further.

Mamet’s book, which on the surface seems like an attack on Jew-hating Jews, actually appears to me to be just as anti-Semitic as the things he criticizes. His writing style is loose and emotional, filled with negative descriptions of Jews that are quite rare in recent Western literature. He seems to think he can get away with it because these anti-Semitic and anti-Israel words come from the mouths of other Jews, the rich, liberal, and disaffected Jews he meets in the entertainment world of New York City and Hollywood where he lives and works.

Mamet clearly reserves a special hatred for these so-called apostate Jews. Woody Allen represents the Hollywood variety, and Noam Chomsky is the overeducated academic type. He holds nothing back in his criticism. Only the most active and observant Jews will be able to read this tirade without any introspection. One has to ask oneself, “Is he writing about me?” or “Am I the type of Jew he is referring to?” For me and the majority of the Jews I know, the answer is “no.” This gives me the freedom to critically review Mr. Mamet’s short and nasty book impartially.

Mamet reminds us that “the world hates the Jews,” and he himself reserves his own personal hatred for Jews as well. Only instead of hating the traditional black caftaned and bearded Jews of orthodoxy, he hates these modern American (and European) Jews who are desperately trying to distance themselves from their heritage. Hatred is the problem here, and Mamet is so consumed by it with his emotional rhetoric that he becomes the very thing he despises.

It was eye-opening to read about some of the anti-Semitic incidents he has directly observed. Some are so repulsive that I wouldn’t repeat them. This makes his hatred understandable to a certain extent, but it is by no means excusable. Mamet often uses Freudian terms to analyze this self-hatred, perhaps reflecting his own years of analysis or just an amateurish interpretation. It’s not very impressive.

In the end, the book reads like a hastily assembled diatribe that simply adds another layer of dirt to a large pile. It was neither enlightening nor uplifting. It only served to reinforce the negative feelings I already had about Mr. Mamet’s writing style and choice of subject. If you want to witness a Jewish food fight firsthand, then by all means read this book. But personally, I think most of you have better things to do.

The book was a rather decent read.

It presented several thought-provoking ideas regarding anti-Semitism and the concept of the self-hating Jew.

However, it seemed that the book was somewhat inclined towards uncovering the hate and the negative aspects.

But then again, considering its title, "Anti-Semitism and Self-Hatred," perhaps this was to be expected.

The author delved into the complex and often uncomfortable topics, exploring the various manifestations of anti-Semitism and how it can lead to self-hatred among Jews.

While the book may not have offered easy solutions or a completely positive outlook, it did succeed in raising important questions and making the reader think about these issues in a new light.

Overall, it was an interesting and worthwhile read for those interested in the study of anti-Semitism and its impact on individuals and society.

Both an analysis of self-hate and a meditation on the joys of belonging, this work presents short chapters that are essentially brief essays.

Each of these chapters has the potential to stand alone, making it an ideal read for those moments when you're commuting or waiting in a room.

The ease with which one can pick up and put down this book is one of its notable features.

However, there is a debate as to whether these individual essays cohere into a larger, more unified argument.

On another note, Mamet seems to have a blind spot when it comes to Palestinian suffering.

If the prime minister of Israel is able to acknowledge this suffering on the floor of the Knesset, it begs the question: why can't Mamet?

This oversight on Mamet's part is a cause for concern and perhaps further examination.

It is important to consider all perspectives and not turn a blind eye to the hardships endured by others.