Daniel Krauthammer Remembers Dad And Shares Stories Of His Jewish Roots

I recently had the pleasure to interview Daniel Krauthammer, the 33-year-old son and only child of the late journalist and commentator, Charles Krauthammer. Their last project together was a brand new book, touching on everything Krauthammer loved. This included baseball, chess, family, and his Jewish roots.

When one speaks with Daniel like I did, you feel the pain of his loss and the agony he, his mom and loved ones have felt for a year and a half, since the diagnosis and subsequent death of one of the world’s most gifted writers.

He wants everyone to remember his father as the man who gave unique insights into a most diverse group of topics, with a humanistic touch that only Charles had.

Book—The Point of It All: A Lifetime of Great Loves and Endeavors By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER And DANIEL KRAUTHAMMER 

Created and compiled by Charles Krauthammer before his death, The Point of It All is a powerful collection of the influential columnist’s most important works. Spanning the personal, the political and the philosophical, it includes never-before-published speeches and a major new essay about the effect of today’s populist movements on the future of global democracy. Edited and with an introduction by the columnist’s son, Daniel Krauthammer, it is the most intimate and profound book yet by the legendary writer and thinker.

In his decades of work as America’s preeminent political commentator, Charles Krauthammer elevated the opinion column to a form of art. Whether writing about statecraft and foreign policy or reflecting on more esoteric topics such as baseball, spaceflight and medical ethics, Krauthammer was beloved not only for his penetrating wit and insight but also for his ability to identify the hidden moral truths that animate our politics and culture.

This new collection, which Krauthammer composed before his death in June 2018, features the columns, speeches and unpublished writings that showcase the best of his original thought and his last, enduring words on the state of American politics, the nature of liberal democracy and the course of world history.

The book also includes a deeply personal section offering insight into Krauthammer’s beliefs about what mattered most to him–friendship, family and the principles he lived by–all anchored by Daniel Krauthammer’s poignant eulogy for his father.

For longtime readers and newcomers alike, The Point of It All is a timely demonstration of what it means to cut through the noise of petty politics with clarity, integrity and intellectual fortitude. It is a reminder of what made Charles Krauthammer the most celebrated American columnist and political thinker of his generation, a revealing look at the man behind the words and a lasting testament to his belief that anyone with an open and honest mind can grapple deeply with the most urgent questions in politics and in life.

www.amazon.com/Point-All-Lifetime-Great-Endeavors/dp/1984825488/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= 

Long Beach Summers and Israel

Daniel and I discussed several essays relating to Krauthammer’s views on religion and the deep connection both Krauthammers have to Israel.

Daniel, in his soft voice, recalled fondly summers visiting his grandparents and attending services at the Young Israel Of Long Beach. During those visits, he family would reminisce about visits to Yankee Stadium and learning about the perfect curveball. The Krauthammers were Zionists. It was best described by Daniel as he accompanied his grandfather’s body to Israel as his final resting place.

Daniel Krauthammer’s writing has appeared in The Weekly Standard, National Review and The New Republic. He holds degrees from Harvard, Oxford and Stanford in political science, economics and business administration, and has worked in government as well as in the entertainment and technology sectors. He spent the last year of his father’s life close by his side in the hospital, where together they worked toward completing this book.

Charles Krauthammer, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, was a syndicated columnist, political commentator, physician and bestselling author. His Washington Post column ran weekly for 33 years and was syndicated in more than 400 newspapers worldwide. For over a decade he was a nightly panelist on Fox News’ flagship evening-news broadcast Special Report. He served as a member of the President’s Council on Bioethics and he was a member of Chess Journalists of America. Along with his wife Robyn, he cofounded Pro Musica Hebraica. He died on June 21, 2018.

“For decades, Charles’ words have strengthened our democracy. His work was far-reaching and influential – and…his ideas and values will always be a part of our country.” —George W. Bush

“Charles will be remembered as one of the greatest public intellects of his generation. A true renaissance man, there was no topic too complex for Charles to probe; no party or politician too powerful to challenge…I’m confident his words will continue to inspire all of us to live bravely and think boldly.” —John McCain

“Charles wrote for the right reasons. … To provoke us to think, to enlarge our understanding, at times to make us laugh. Like few others, he succeeded, week after week, Friday after Friday, year after year… he wrote a column of breathtaking range and intelligence and integrity.” —The Washington Post

“A giant, a man who not only defended our civilization but represented what’s best in it.” —National Review

“A voice of reason and a powerful intellect in Democracy’s cause.” —Condoleezza Rice

“There are people you meet throughout your life that you just know will leave an impact forever. Charles Krauthammer was one of those people. His words and his knowledge and his eloquence on the issues of the day were unsurpassed. He could cut through the noise. He could get to the point better than anybody.” —Bret Baier

WEBSITES:

www.danielkrauthammer.com

www.charleskrauthammer.com

Charles Krauthammer left a legacy of brilliance in words and respect for commentary and debate. He never raised his voice or interrupted another speaker. His son inherited these gifts and this book is a must read for even the novice political junkie.

Cindy Grosz can be reached at cindyscorners@gmail.com