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Things That Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

Charles Krauthammer
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (91 customer reviews)

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Book Description

October 22, 2013
 From America’s preeminent columnist, named by the Financial Times the most influential commentator in the nation, the long-awaited collection of Charles Krauthammer’s essential, timeless writings.
 
A brilliant stylist known for an uncompromising honesty that challenges conventional wisdom at every turn, Krauthammer has for decades daz­zled readers with his keen insight into politics and government. His weekly column is a must-read in Washington and across the country. Now, finally, the best of Krauthammer’s intelligence, erudition and wit are collected in one volume.
 
Readers will find here not only the country’s leading conservative thinker offering a pas­sionate defense of limited government, but also a highly independent mind whose views—on feminism, evolution and the death penalty, for example—defy ideological convention. Things That Matter also features several of Krautham­mer’s major path-breaking essays—on bioeth­ics, on Jewish destiny and on America’s role as the world’s superpower—that have pro­foundly influenced the nation’s thoughts and policies. And finally, the collection presents a trove of always penetrating, often bemused re­flections on everything from border collies to Halley’s Comet, from Woody Allen to Win­ston Churchill, from the punishing pleasures of speed chess to the elegance of the perfectly thrown outfield assist.
 
With a special, highly autobiographical in­troduction in which Krauthammer reflects on the events that shaped his career and political philosophy, this indispensible chronicle takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the fashions and follies, the tragedies and triumphs, of the last three decades of American life.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Author One-on-One: Charles Krauthammer and Dana Perino

Dana Perino
Charles Krauthammer

In this Amazon One-to-One, Charles Krauthammer and Dana Perino discuss Dr. Krauthammer’s new book Things That Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes, and Politics. Charles Krauthammer is a Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist, political commentator and physician. Dana Perino is a Former White House Press Secretary who worked with President George W. Bush, contributor and co-host of The Five on FOX News. She is a long-time friend and fan of Charles Krauthammer.

Dana Perino: Your new book covers three decades of your writings, divided into 16 chapters, and grouped into categories of the things that have mattered to you in your life. As you reviewed your body of work, were you surprised by anything that you had written? Did you ever think, “I can’t believe I ever thought that”?

Charles Krauthammer: No real surprises—I find that I agree with myself a lot—except for my enthusiastic review of Independence Day. Though I might've been unduly swayed by seeing the premiere with my son, then ten, who announced after the showing that he would see the movie every week for the rest of his life.

DP: The thing that has mattered most to you is your family. Your book opens with a column that could be called “a two-hankie job.” How hard is it to write about the people that you love, to give people a glimpse into your personal life?

CK: I didn’t become a writer to write about myself. In fact, I don't even like using the word "I" in writing an opinion column, let alone a personal one. The only times I really have written about my own life is when it had a purpose outside myself, such as honoring a person, perhaps a friend or mentor, of extraordinary character.

DP: As a long-time fan of yours, there are some of your columns that I remember reading, and where I was when I read it, and how I said to my husband, “That’s exactly what I was thinking!” Do you know when a column is going to be a hit?

CK: Quite the opposite. I'm always amazed how wrong I am. A column that I think will sink like a stone might catch on like wildfire. Others that I'm proud and smug about as I submit for publication, leave no trace. Which is why I'm a writer, not a publisher. I wasn't made for marketing.

DP: The original essay you penned for Things That Matter is like an award-winning exhibit of your heart and mind. What will readers learn about you that they may not have known?

CK: How improbable my life story is. I still wake up simply amazed how I've ended up where I am, mostly by serendipity and sheer blind luck. I started out as a doctor. I ended as a writer. And that's the least of the stunning twists and turns that have defined my life—which I write about, for the first time, in the introductory essay to Things That Matter.

DP: You have become a must-read and a must-see on television news programs. Parents shush their children when you’re about to speak. On the rare Friday when you don’t have a column or when you’re not on Special Report with Bret Baier, your mom gets calls of “Where is Charles?” Disappointment hangs heavy over your fans. But who are your weekly must-reads?

CK: George Will. David Brooks. Mickey Kaus. And for that happy half of every year—April through October—the (daily) box score of the Washington Nationals.

DP: Do you think that your training as a psychiatrist has given you an advantage when observing people in politics?

CK: Actually, no. Psychiatry has everything to say about mental illness, very little to say about ordinary life. It offers no magical formulas for understanding human behavior beyond what any lay person can see. Although I do like to joke that there's not much difference in what I do today as a political analyst in Washington from what I used to do as a psychiatrist in Boston—in both lines of work, I deal every day with people who suffer from paranoia and delusions of grandeur. The only difference is that the paranoids in Washington have access to nuclear weapons.

DP: You wrote a column on September 12, 2001 that is included in Things That Matter. How difficult was that to write under the time pressure of the day, and to keep your commentary to standard column length?

CK: Like the whole country, I was on fire with fury. I felt I simply had to write. The difficulty was less time pressure than emotional pressure—trying to suppress my feelings so I could be as analytical as possible. Sometimes that kind of writing can be disastrous. I think this one came out right.

DP: Given the mention in your essay, and because I have a gut feeling that we’re on the same page, what is your preferred style on serial commas?

CK: With commas the rule should always be: the fewer the better. They are a scourge, a pestilence upon the land. They must be given no quarter. When you list three things, it should be written: a, b and c. If you see a comma after the "b"—call 911 immediately.

DP: Many readers may not realize that you once were a Democrat? Was it a gradual or a spectacular breakup?

CK: Like most breakups, gradual. Like few breakups, however, without regret.

DP: You have covered politics and government since the Carter administration. Do you believe that America’s politics are too strained, too partisan, and too deranged to make meaningful progress?

CK: Not at all. What we need is not a new politics but a new president.

DP: What do you think will be the things that matter 20–30 years from now?

CK: The things that really matter, as I try to explain in the introductory essay—the cosmic questions of origins and meaning, the great achievements of science and art, the great mysteries of creation and consciousness—shall always be with us. Thirty years from now, 300 years from now. I hope that one contribution of this book will be to provide some illumination on these wondrous mysteries and achievements.

DP: If you had a magic wand and could get the U.S. federal government to do three things, what would be your top priorities?

CK: Abolish the income tax code with its staggeringly intrusive and impenetrable provisions and replace it with a clean consumption tax.

Get out of the race business and return the country to the colorblind vision of Martin Luther King.

Kill the penny.

Review

"Usually thought of as a conserva-tive, this syndicated columnist has won both the left-wing People for the American Way’s First Amendment Award and the right-wing Bradley Foundation’s first $250,000 Bradley Prize. Readers of all political persuasions will find plenty here that’s thought-provoking and worthwhile." -Pittsburg Tribune-Review

“Krauthammer’s first collection in more than 20 years is a priceless introduction to the columnist’s writing. And for those who have thrilled at the sight of a Krauthammer byline for decades, Things That Matter is a window into the master polemicist’s habits of mind, heart, and technique.” -Matthew Continetti, Commentary

“For three decades, Charles Krauthammer has enriched American political discourse with his sharply-honed analysis, humane values, and questing mind.  From personal meditations to learned examinations of history and policy, Things That Matter stands as a record of a transformative period in the American experience, and a remarkable intellect at work.” -Henry A. Kissinger
 
"Charles Krauthammer is not only the most influential conservative commentator in America, his writing transcends the crush of daily events and can be read, with profit, always." –David Brooks, New York Times columnist and bestselling author of The Social Animal
 
“Amid today's clutter of print and cacophony of broadcast commentary, Charles Krauthammer's lapidary judgments stand out, and stand the test of time. Literature has been called news that lasts. Krauthammer's columns take journalism to the level of literature.” –George F. Will, Washington Post columnist

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Crown Forum (October 22, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385349173
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385349178
  • Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.8 x 1.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (89 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and named by The Financial Times as the most influential commentator in America, Charles Krauthammer has been honored from every part of the political spectrum for his bold, lucid and original writing -- from the famously liberal People for the American Way (which presented him their First Amendment Award) to the staunchly conservative Bradley Foundation (which awarded him their first $250,000 Bradley Prize).

Since 1985, Krauthammer has written a syndicated column for The Washington Post for which he won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary. It is published weekly in more than 275 newspapers worldwide.

Krauthammer is a contributing editor to The Weekly Standard and The New Republic, and a weekly panelist on Inside Washington. He is also a contributor to FOX News, appearing nightly on FOX's evening news program, Special Report with Bret Baier.

For three decades, his influential writings have helped frame the very shape of American foreign policy. He coined and developed The Reagan Doctrine (Time, April 1985), defined the structure of the post-Cold War world in The Unipolar Moment (Foreign Affairs, Winter 1990/1991), and outlined the principles of post-9/11 American foreign policy in his much-debated Irving Kristol Lecture, Democratic Realism (AEI Press, March 2004).

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough calls him "without a doubt, the most powerful force in American conservatism." National Review featured him on its cover as "Obama's critic-in-chief." Der Spiegel calls him "the leading voice of America's conservative intellectuals." New York Times columnist David Brooks says that today "he's the most important conservative columnist." Politico calls him "leader of the opposition ... a coherent, sophisticated and implacable critic of the new president."

Born in New York City and raised in Montreal, Krauthammer was educated at McGill University (B.A. 1970), Oxford University (Commonwealth Scholar in Politics) and Harvard (M.D. 1975). While serving as a resident and then chief resident in psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, he published scientific papers, including the discovery of a form of bipolar disease, that continue to be cited in the psychiatric literature.

In 1978, he quit medical practice, came to Washington to help direct planning in psychiatric research in the Carter administration, and began contributing articles to The New Republic. In 1980, he served as a speechwriter to Vice President Walter Mondale. He joined The New Republic as a writer and editor in 1981. His New Republic writings won the 1984 National Magazine Award for Essays and Criticism, the highest award in magazine journalism.

From 2001 to 2006, he served on the President's Council on Bioethics. He is president of The Krauthammer Foundation and chairman of Pro Musica Hebraica, an organization dedicated to the recovery and performance of lost classical Jewish music. He is also a member of the Chess Journalists of America.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
144 of 151 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book by a wonderful, smart man! October 22, 2013
By Kate
Format:Hardcover
Things That Matter is a brilliant collection of Dr. Krauthammer's writings and work over the past 30 years. It is always great to hear his commentary on television and read is columns in the Washington Post-- this is a great addition to any political library!
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288 of 308 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and Wise October 22, 2013
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Charles Krauthammer is one of the most intelligent, lucid commentators and writers of our time. He is always insightful and fair. I trust his wisdom and have been looking forward for weeks for his book to come out. I downloaded it at midnight last night as soon as it was available, and started reading. It is everything I had hoped for and more. His is the voice of reason in politics and society today.
Dorothy @hensrule
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185 of 200 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An evolution October 22, 2013
Format:Hardcover
As Charles admits his views have been an evolving piece of his life, as he started out a liberal. Today he is one of the most influential conservative journalists. But....his views and mine do not mirror each other. He seems to favor beltway politics, much more than a constitutional believer should.

This isn't a new book full of new ideas, this is a new book filled with a collection of his writings over a long period of time. While he referenced Reagan in his evolution to conservatism, he isn't nearly as principled as Reagan was. Reagan showed for a period of decades how his views were not only consistent, they were strengthened over time. Charles....while very intelligent and thoughtful, often has quick dismissal of those who disagree with him.

So....why 5 stars. Because he is that good. He isn't nearly as polarizing as other conservative thinkers, and his voice carries great weight. Give Things That Matter a read, it deserves to be read. You may not agree with some items from 2005 or maybe 1995, but you will often nod in agreement.
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82 of 88 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Things That Matter should have more than 5 stars!! October 24, 2013
By Judy Gj
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a great book...I'll read it many times over.
Not only is Charles positively brilliant but he has the sharpest wit & funniest dry sense of humor of any author!!
I love him on t.v.; his book is pure Charles in insightful, uplifting, clever writing!!
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95 of 103 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Physician, mid-career October 23, 2013
By Salaam
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Wow, this collection is as good as advertised. Dr. Krauthammer has an uncanny ability to analyze and explain in concise but beautiful prose. I would imagine that self-described progressives may feel offended by some of the passages, but conservatives, centrists, and open-minded folks should thoroughly enjoy this book.
Can't wait for the next one!
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97 of 106 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I always read Krauthammer, even when he pisses me off. October 22, 2013
By Mary
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I got the Kindle version yesterday and the book was a great read. I can't say I always agree with Dr. K, but he makes a compelling case (even when he's wrong, like on the Redskins).
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65 of 70 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Charles is BRILLIANT!! October 25, 2013
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Charles story is fascinating. How he was once a liberal and became the person he has become is a quintessential passage of humanity. You rarely see someone move in the other direction (from conservative to "liberal"). The classic term "liberal" has become twisted over time and what were once "liberals" are now an intolerant bunch who use ad hominem arguments with very little substance. It is obvious why Charles made that passage... because he is brilliant and there is no room in the modern sense of "liberalism," for such a thinker as Charles.

If you read the reviews which give this book a low rating, the case is made... ad hominem with no focus on the substance.

Well worth the read.
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45 of 49 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Never let's you down October 24, 2013
By D. B
Format:Hardcover
Krauthammer has done it again. His book goes from personal meditation to his political discourse as well as his life as an MD. This man is highly intelligent.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read
Insightful reading. Brilliant assessment of political events. A must read for those interested in intelligent discussion of key issues of our time.
Published 9 minutes ago by kim m. olson
4.0 out of 5 stars Poorly organized, but good insight on politics
An irritating book, for those who love Charles Krauthammer. Let me list the problems. The first half of the book is fluff -- essays on border collies, the Fermat Theorem, chess and... Read more
Published 21 minutes ago by Richard Mathisen
5.0 out of 5 stars An intelligent and humorous read.
This is one of the best books that I have read in the past few years. Krauthammer is extremely articulate, and his collection of articles are in many cases filled with humour that... Read more
Published 2 hours ago by Dr. Ely Lazar
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Charles
What an amazing book. I have been a big fan of Dr. Krauthammer for years. To read his select columns and stories was fantastic and enlightening. Read more
Published 8 hours ago by Rob
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book by a great man
Outstanding reading experience. I love the format of making a great book out of previous articles Krauthammer wrote in the past. Read more
Published 13 hours ago by Douglas B. Schonour
5.0 out of 5 stars Celibacy is not Hereditary Anymore
Charles Krauthammer is a very educated man in book knowledge. But he takes it a step farther and learned wisdom as well and knows how to apply it in every day circumstances. Read more
Published 15 hours ago by jawbone
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm amazed at Charles Krauthammer's view on many diverse subjects.
What can you say about Charles Krauthammer? He is simply brilliant. Whether you agree with
his politics or not, the book is interesting and provides a different look to some... Read more
Published 20 hours ago by Katherine Bockius
4.0 out of 5 stars non-typical political book
Things That Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics is a new book written by Charles Krauthammer, a regular commentator on the Fox News Channel. Read more
Published 21 hours ago by JC1
5.0 out of 5 stars Provocative and insightful..
Covering a range of topics, Dr. Krauthammer creates an environment of thought and hope. Thank heaven for the Kindle dictionary function, without which I would not have made it... Read more
Published 1 day ago by K. Albright
5.0 out of 5 stars Krauthammer: The Best of the Best!
Frankly, I've been absolutely glued to Dr. Krauthammer's remarks for years now... this is just "icing on the cake", so to speak (with absolutely zero braggadocio... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Fanfaron
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