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  • 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 (61 ratings)

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Great story, wonderfully written

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

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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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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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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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