The Point of it All - A Lifetime of Great Loves and Endeavors
Charles Krauthammer
Contributed by Jerrold Mcmenamin
Chapter 18
Summary

Chapter 18: A Life Without Regrets

In this chapter, the author starts by describing the start of his journey as a columnist for the Washington Post. He confesses that at first, it seemed impossible considering that as a columnist he had to come up with a different idea on every day. However, as he writes this article, it is already twenty-five years since he began his work as a columnist and he is happy to be doing something he loves. Apart from that, he mentions his profound opposition for all ideas proposed by Obama. Besides, he adds an award acceptance speech to the American Academy of Achievement. At this point, the author talks about choice, and he uses himself, and his wife as the perfect example of making choices in life. Initially, Krauthammer was a doctor and a psychiatrist for seven years. On the other hand, his wife was a lawyer. They both left their initial jobs and started doing the things they loved. Therefore, he urges the students to choose their careers well and if they find themselves in the wrong places, he assures then that they can always choose again.

Apart from that, Daniel Krauthammer adds a section about his father and his time in the ethics committee on embryonic research. Here, Krauthammer provides the moral and ethical version of the response his father created as a reply to himself and other disabled individuals who suffer from chronic diseases and disabilities. Additionally, the author shares with his audience the reasons he had for changing careers, with the main reason being that he felt like history was happening outside his workplace, and he wanted to be an active participant.

Again, the author writes about his last moments and the progressive cancer that was hastening his death. Lastly, Daniel Krauthammer provides the readers with his father’s Eulogy.

Analysis

The last chapter of The Point of it All is a chance for the readers to journey with Charles Krauthammer through the journey of his life. At the beginning of the book, Daniel Krauthammer had said that his father never liked using the first person. However, it is necessary at this point due to his death, and the audience deserves to know about their cherished writer and political essayist. Krauthammer informs the reader on how he began his career in writing, a bold decision that involved leaving a seven-year career in medicine. The conversation with Meg Greenfield is meant to show the reader how the author was naïve at the beginning of his new career. In addition, it contains some humor effective in making the writer’s last moments less painful to his audience. He also speaks about Obama, and the fact that he opposed every idea proposed by the former president indicates his strong affiliation to the Republican party and his profound conservative ideologies. It also shows the loyalty level of the author, as he is not willing to betray the party he associates himself with for the ideas of an opponent.

Besides, the speech he gives at the American Academy of Achievement is educative and motivating, and it shows that he never shun away from making necessary efforts that would improve his livelihood. Essentially, he is the ideal example of change and making choices in one’s career life. It is also important to note that doing what a person loves is beneficial both to the individual and to the society. This is because such a career lifts one’s spirit and mood, and it increases productivity. Therefore, the speech is well selected and driven to help the reader in making choices, and to motivate everyone by excluding the fear of the uncertain future.

The section added by Daniel Krauthammer shows his father’s selfless acts and his consideration for ethics and moral values. Lastly, the Eulogy is a way of giving the audience a clearer glimpse into Charles Krauthammer’s life and his contributions to the society. In addition, it provides a chance for the readers to say their goodbyes to the brilliant and idealistic writer, the man who made an impact on the political arena mostly through writing.

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