• The Great Good Thing

  • A Secular Jew Comes to Faith in Christ
  • By: Andrew Klavan
  • Narrated by: Andrew Klavan
  • Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (2,145 ratings)

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The Great Good Thing  By  cover art

The Great Good Thing

By: Andrew Klavan
Narrated by: Andrew Klavan
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Publisher's summary

How did a New York-born, Jewish, former-atheist novelist and screenwriter - a winner of multiple Edgar Awards, whose books became films with Clint Eastwood and Michael Douglas - find himself at the age of 50 being baptized and confessing Jesus as Lord? That's a tale worth telling.

From his childhood outside New York City through his years as college-dropout wanderer and on to his growing success as a writer, Andrew Klavan consumed stories. From novels and plays to movies and the Bible, literature helped him interpret the world and understand his place in it. Dropping out of college to wander the country as an itinerant journalist, he met the woman who became his wife - and tales of marriage have been central to his writing ever since.

Wrestling with severe depression that took him to the brink of suicide, his readings of Hamlet and even Freud became crucial life-giving supports. And lying in bed reading Patrick O'Brien's seafaring tales, he found the courage to say a prayer - "thank you" - that overturned his life and led, inevitably, to his baptism in New York City a few days after his father's memorial service. The stories of Western literature led Andrew Klavan to Jesus. This is Klavan's story of that journey.

©2016 Andrew Klavan (P)2016 Thomas Nelson Publishers

What listeners say about The Great Good Thing

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Profound and Beautiful

Have you listened to any of Andrew Klavan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the second Klavan book I've listened to. His performance was outstanding both times.

Any additional comments?

I feel as if I've just taken a long walk with Andrew Klavan. He told me a profound story full of depth and wisdom, pain and joy. I'm sad that this book is over. It's one of the most satisfying memoirs I've ever read.

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16 people found this helpful

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Wow!

this is the best book I've read all year. it has Joy, sadness, drama, and most importantly truth. It is Well written and well-read. I will be listening to this one over and over again.

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13 people found this helpful

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Great Book Klavan. I have already recommended it!

It was interesting to listen to someone's conversion not just as a logical statements of arguments, but as a man struggling to find something that was missing in his life. As someone who is a believer, I haven't heard God's voice in a long time, and have recently struggled with wondering if there is someone listening. This book has renewed my effort to see if I can speak with God again, and to listen closely enough to hear his response. Thanks Andrew for your great story, the first book I really reviewed and recommended to everyone.

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10 people found this helpful

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Loved this book

I have been listening to podcasts of Andrew Klavan for a while. I can't wait each evening after work to listen to his hilarious account of politics and what is going on in the world. I bought this audible on preorder because he had talked about it. Listening to this book was like and intimate conversation with someone I already liked. It is a wonderful book. I liked it so much I bought the hard copy to give to my husband to read. Thank you Andrew Klavan for sharing this well written and joyful book!

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9 people found this helpful

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That voice

Klavan's buttery smooth voice will melt you heart. It was like he was sitting in the room and telling me his story next to a fireplace. I pictured him holding a cigar in one hand and a scotch in another.

Listening to the whole recount of how he found faith resounded in me in different ways. I had grown up a Christian, but had, at my core, some doubt that kept me from seeing God's hand in my life. My coming to faith was different than his (and admittedly less dramatic), but the sensation of clarity that he describes was the same I felt.

I have started reading more books again thanks to audiobooks, and even out of all of the books I've ever read/listened to, this is easily one of the best and one of my favorites. I've always found biographies and memoirs to be boring, but Klavan's story is filled with such passion, I could help but listen excitedly for the next chapter. This is truly an excellent read (I recommend the Audiobook, though).

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8 people found this helpful

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Best. Book. Ever.... and I read a lot.

Do your self a favor and get the audio version and listen to the author tell the story. I finished it today and will start over at the beginning tomorrow. It is that good.

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7 people found this helpful

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Risen

The author brought to light his life, struggles failures and successes, his trip through madness, love and discovery. He is a master story teller bringing the book together, as if a thriller, powerfully. No preaching, but real heart and soul of this, I think now, a great man. Opened my eyes more fully to the perspective of the Jewish people living in this great country.

Loved the book.

Respectfully Bill Steinwedell

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6 people found this helpful

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Beautifully written, a joy to read

Thank you for telling your story Andrew! I loved reading this book - your prose is a joy to read. I also love your philosophy - which I can't do justice to in one sentence in an Amazon review. Amazing book!

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Hysterical Mercy

This description of God' s inexpicable love for us is perfect and I thank Mr. Klavan for it.

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6 people found this helpful

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Warm, wonderful, and wise

A delightfully enthralling, unflinchingly honest narrative that offers penetrating insight on many levels throughout. Klavan is a gifted writer and narrator. I was nervous about how well I'd be able to get into a conversion story (especially one of someone I didn't know very well), but this was a very enjoyable, captivating listen.

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4 people found this helpful

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  • Anonymous
  • 06-26-17

Beautiful

Exceptional read. It may be the best memoir I've ever read. The book has had a profound impact on me, as someone who is not only agnostic, but young. If you are unsure about your faith, looking for life guidance, or are just interested in good reading - this is the book for you. I cannot recommend it enough

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  • YourHeinness
  • 10-19-23

I found myself in a lot of your life

I think I too am growing more crazy every day. I have isolated myself from my family and have maybe one friend. I have been saying the same thing to myself “ I don’t know how to live”.
Thanks for your book.

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  • Beautiful History
  • 11-18-21

Brilliant

What a delightful find… a captivating and honest life journey beautifully told by Klavan. It had me hooked.

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  • Nellie
  • 05-01-21

Just an amazing listen

Absolutely loved this - so much I listened to it all through in one day because I just couldn't bear to switch it off. It's very honest without being self indulgent - Klavan shares his life and faith as if you were sitting in a room together with a cup of coffee and talking like old friends. Definitely going to recommend this to a wide range of friends.

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  • Mr R Tate
  • 08-23-20

Funny old world.

Funny how a man in his 50’s from Northern Ireland finds common ground with a fellow on the other side of the world. Andrew, thank you. Our paths are different but this book has helped me end up in a similar place as you. I was lost in the middle not sure if I should pop my head above the parapet. I throughly enjoyed the book. Thanks for sharing your experiences and life with me. Forever will I know how to spell Klavan.

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  • Bruna
  • 02-16-18

Open and yours and your ears

Wouldn't be this great if would be another voice. It is like he just sat down with us and told the story of his life. God bless you and your family.

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  • Nathan L.
  • 12-04-17

I may love Andrew Klavan?

Fan of his political coverage. I decided to see where it all started, with this heartfelt journey. Brilliantly written, brilliantly narrated. - A cheap Welshman

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  • Alison Mettam
  • 10-05-23

Brilliant

The first of Andrew Klavan”s books I have read. His biography is so well written and read. He is a deep thinker and clear thinker. I highly recommend it to anyone.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 08-03-23

Life changing

Andrew’s journey shines a light on the hidden realities of so called ordinary life. Such an honest book that has stayed with me. I return to it often.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 07-11-22

Can't recommend highly enough

This is the most engaging audio book I've listened to. Having Andrew Klavan read it adds an extra layer of engagement and enjoyment and I'm looking forward to listening to it again soon enough

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  • Sybrand
  • 08-16-21

A wonderful honest account

I love Andrew Klavan"s honesty and intellect. He is perhaps the best Christian author since CS Lewis.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 12-23-20

This is a book to read more than once.

I loved listening to this book. Andrew Klavan writes with honesty , candour and humour. The joy he writes about is hard won ...the life journey is fascinating all the way.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 11-09-19

You like the podcasts but will you like the book?

I have long enjoyed Klavan's podcasts. While interested enough to wish I had read this book, I wasn't sure if I could go through with actually shelving other books and spending the time to listen.

Well, I have listened. And I'm glad I took the time.

Often, and at startling points, I found myself relating to this digital mentor's openness, even vulnerability as he opened his life experience to us.

Though I don't have the same life experiences, I can relate to your the internal world. And in it's way it has changed me.

Thank you Andrew.

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  • Simon M.
  • 05-28-19

Great story, wonderfully written

Fascinating, gripping, beautifully read.
An interest part of the wider Jewish-Christian-secular western story.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 07-12-18

A thing of beauty

In this beautifully written memoir Andrew bares his soul for all to see and provides a sense of perspective on life which is truly moving and imbued with his characteristic wit. The joy of my joy indeed!

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  • Anonymous User
  • 05-20-18

A great book by one of the best in the business

I've been a fan of Andrew Klavan for a few years now, and have procrastinated getting this book without any good reason - what a mistake. Truly an excellent work. It will appeal to almost anyone interested in a deep conversation.

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  • Koda
  • 10-24-16

Refreshingly truthful, remarkably relatable.

Andrew Klavan and the Great Good Thing came as a true breath of fresh air. The story is constructed in a way that you don't get caught listening to a chronological tale of a mans life, rather you are caught up in his internal struggles. As a reader I could relate to a great many things even though I am not an artistic person. If you like seeing the world and faith from others' perspective then this book is for you.

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