Things That Matter

Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics

By: Charles Krauthammer

Narrated by: Charles Krauthammer, George Newbern

Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

From America’s preeminent columnist, named by the Financial Times the most influential commentator in the nation, a must-have collection of Charles Krauthammer’s essential, timeless writings.

A brilliant stylist known for an uncompromising honesty that challenged conventional wisdom at every turn, Krauthammer dazzled readers for decades with his keen insight into politics and government. His weekly column was a must-read in Washington and across the country. Don’t miss the best of Krauthammer’s intelligence, erudition, and wit collected in one volume.

Listeners 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 indispensable chronicle takes the listener on a fascinating journey through the fashions and follies, the tragedies and triumphs, of the last three decades of American life.

©2013 Charles Krauthammer (P)2013 Random House Audio

His Writings Will Be Missed

One of the leading political thinkers of our time, this "greatest hits" collection brings about many of his best works over the past 30 years. He will be missed, but these stories are largely timeless.

Charles Krauthammer, conservative apologist

Charles Krauthammer is the ultimate concise conservative apologist. What an incredible mind we have lost with his passing.

Articulate, reasoned, principled.

A book many Americans should read. We will miss Krauthammer’s intellect and dry wit. Who will God raise up to replace this calm voice of reason in the discourse of politics?

Superlative History Lesson

So much historical content for reference, will warrant a second (or more) listen. We, as a people, culture and species, have lost a great thinker. Thank you Charles.

Charles at his finest

Full of wisdom, humility and reason. Charles IS one of the great political thinkers of our time.

Exceptional Writing and Narration

Charles is an amazing writer. I only wish I had discovered his columns earlier.i also wish he had been able to finish the narration. You can sense the passion in his voice.

Charles K, author and narrator ..... enuf said

FREEZE ! DON'T HIT THAT NO BUTTON YET ....

Charles Krauthammer is by far the most revered and most respected political columnist in Washington today. For thirty years, he has written editorials first as a Mondale democrat and today as a born again conservative. This book is a collection of Charles' writings that go back 30 some odd years.

It is interesting to witness the author's evolution from liberal to conservatism. According to the author, he didnt leave the democratic party, they left him. The chapter dealing with his brother Marcel was heart warming.

I have a challenge to all liberals who feel compelled to vote no on this review simply because the author is a conservative fox news commentator. Listen to the 5 minute sample. If there are any factual errors, then feel free to vote no. But if everything the author said is true, then spend the credit and buy this book. Even if you disagree with the authors political stance, there are many areas of this book that will grip you.

The best part of this book is the author reading this to us instead of someone else.

Thank you, Charles Krauthammer!

As I write this review Charles Krauthammer died 30 hours ago. The book consists of selected Krauthammer newspaper columns written over 30 years as well as three longer pieces separated into chapters based on subject content. In my opinion in the quality and insight of his pubic political commentary Krauthammer is second only to Thomas Sowell (who retied 18 months ago at age 86). As the result of an accident at age 22 Krauthammer's spinal column was severed in his neck area, yet he lived a very productive life until cancer struck late in 2017. He narrated approximately half of his book and George Newbern did a fine job of narrating the rest.

The US is worse off from losing the syndicated columns of these two intellectual giants (Krauthammer and Sowell) during a brief period. Thankfully, Dr. Sowell also leaves a wealth of books and he is still writing books.

Great Book

Charles Krauthammer is a great writer, and this collection of is work over several decades is well worth reading. Of modern political writers, Krauthammer is probably the best at laying out an organized, thoughtful, supported, and convincing argument. At he is entertaining to boot.

The book is not limited to politics and some of the most entertaining selections are about the author's family and passions (I'm glad he likes baseball; sorry he is a Nationals fan!).

The narration is inexplicably split between the author and another narrator. I don't know why it was done this way, and it is a bit distracting.

Thank you Charles, RIP

I miss seeing him on Fox News, Charles' analysis was amazing. This book and a bonus, Charles performed the reading as well.