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  • The Great Good Thing

  • A Secular Jew Comes to Faith in Christ
  • Written by: Andrew Klavan
  • Narrated by: Andrew Klavan
  • Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (52 ratings)

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The Great Good Thing

Written 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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Moving, entertaining, and whole

A fantastic, thought provoking story that brought me back to my own childhood and inspires me to be a better man. Klavan's humility seeps off the page. highly recommend. The audio version is excellent.

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Beautiful

It was hard to put down, as you get taken along Andrew’s life story. It’s so BEAUTIFUL.

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A fantastic read.

I've been putting this one off for a while. I knew I wanted to listen to it, but a lot of other reads felt so much more urgent.

I knew that this would have the same relevance today as it did yesterday, as it did last month. but now, I felt, was the time and it was timely.

Definitely recommended. I've come to appreciate Andrew Klavan over the past 4 years thanks to his work on the Daily Wire and It's wonderful having this peek into his journey to Christianity

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A brilliant, heartfelt testimonial

Andrew Klavan deftly and reflectively probes the depths of his own soul, exploring his conversion in a manner beneficial to all seekers discontent with the faux-spiritual emotionalism of modern religion. Evocative of C.S. Lewis’ largely intellectual struggle with God, Klavan’s self-aware testimony of God’s relentless pursuit is engaging, encouraging, eccentric, and profound - a delight.

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superb both in content and literary mastery

Andrew Klavan does an excellent job reading his own life story and journey to faith in Christ.

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awesome

Andrew klavan is awesome. I loved another kingdom, love his podcast and I appreciate his mind.

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Incredible and Honest.

Klavans story is uplifting, inspiring and honest. A real truthful story of triumph, suffering and breakthrough. A true mensch!

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Beautiful story of reality and redemption

I have never read a book that spoke to me like this one, thank you for writing it...

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Honest, funny and thoughtful account of the author’s journey to faith in Christ.

Enjoyed this non-fiction book read by the author. Honest, funny and thoughtful. I didn’t want to stop listening.

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  • Jason Hague
  • 2016-09-30

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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  • Aunt Minnie
  • 2016-09-29

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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  • Jake M.
  • 2016-10-01

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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  • ruth
  • 2016-10-15

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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  • Steffen Abrams
  • 2016-09-26

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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  • Jo Ann
  • 2016-10-07

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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  • William L Steinwedell
  • 2016-10-07

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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  • Rebecca Rider
  • 2016-10-02

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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  • One Tulip
  • 2016-09-28

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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  • Curtis S.
  • 2016-10-27

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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  • Willem Hartman
  • 2020-12-21

Fantastic book

I loved it. Gripping, amusing, deep, funny and touching. Andrew Klavan takes us on a tour in his past, his family, his inner thoughts and his evolution to his eventual baptism. Easy to read, but not a lightweight, yet with lightness and elegance, this book is a pleasure to read and I will certainly open it up again another day.

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