Things That Matter: Three Decadess of Passions, Pastimes and Politics

Things That Matter: Three Decadess of Passions, Pastimes and Politics, by Charles Krauthammer reviewed by Pastor LaMont Bonath.

The book starts with a strong structure. There are four major parts to the book:

1. Personal,
2. Political,
3. Historical, and
4. Global.

It ends with a detailed index. The index is worth taking time to review before you begin reading.

In the Global section, page 352, I enjoyed his thesis. Decline is a choice. "The question of whether America is in decline cannot be answered yes or no. There is no yes or no. Both answers are wrong because the assumption that some how there exist some predetermined inevitable trajectory, the result of uncontrollable external forces, is wrong. Nothing is inevitable, nothing is written. For America today, decline is not a condition. Decline is a choice." Moving on to page 364, "So, resistence to decline begins with moral self-confidence and will. But maintaining dominance is a matter not just of will but of wallet...provide the means to continue our dominant role in the world by keeping our economic house in order."

I would recommend reading chapters 12 — The Jewish Question, Again, 14 — The Age of Holy Terror, 15 — The Age to Come and then go back to chapter 1 and read the whole book. It was an easy and well paced read of 365 pages. I would recommend the book.