It does not take long when reading Krauthammer’s new book, Things That Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics, to see why this book has spent so much time on top of the New York Times Best Seller List. While most will find things to both agree and disagree with I think all will find his analysis and crisp presentations thought provoking and instructive.
Given his time on the Fox News Network and his syndicated columns in the Washington Post I, and probably most others, assumed that Krauthammer is a life-long conservative but that is not the case. In the Introduction to the book Krauthammer says he started life as a Democrat. As a part of that discusses how he as a trained psychiatrist became a writer and how a part of that transition was his stint as a speechwriter for Vice President Walter Mondale. In an interview of Charles by Dana Perino on the Amazon website I found two items that I think warrant special notice for different reasons. Dana Perino: “Many readers may not realize that you once were a Democrat? Was it a gradual or a spectacular breakup?” Charles Krauthammer: “Like most breakups, gradual. Like few breakups, however, without regret.”
The second comment in Perino’s interview that as an erstwhile writer I found both amusing and instructive; Dana Perino: “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?” Charles Krauthammer: “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.” You can find the balance of the interview on the Amazon.com website by Clicking Here.
Regardless of your political leanings you should read this book. Given that the writings span three decades one is provided the cold hard light of history to judge Krauthammer’s assessments and he comes out a winner. I have often highly recommended books that I’ve read but in this case I created a new category – Required Reading!
Loren Berg's Blog 