I first saw Jimmy Carter with a few other students during my first year as a graduate student at Emory University where he remains a visiting professor - I still remember the then 81-year-old briskly striding in with his signature broad, toothy smile and the energy of a man half his age. Alter makes his case convincingly... while it's evident that he admires Carter—the title of the book is a bit of a giveaway— His Very Best isn't at all a hagiography; it's a fair-minded assessment of the life and career of the politician from Plains. He illuminates the racial climate of Carter’s boyhood in the Jim Crow South of the 1930s — hanging out with friends who were Black while still imbibing the region’s pervasive racism. He was not a great public speaker and lacked some political sense. Well-researched and written in an engaging, conversational style, this biography of Carter presents a full picture (warts and all) of the man I never truly understood until now. But when it comes to Carter’s unsung policy achievements, he cites or recounts them straightforwardly — the major exception being a riveting chapter on the landmark 1978-79 Israeli-Egyptian peace accords. These mixed messages about racial difference rippled unevenly through Carter’s early career. He can boast of no Boswell, no library of must-read studies like those that exist for Reagan, Nixon, Johnson or Kennedy. But, a 19 year old doesn’t understand politics,, nor have interest, and thus, the history of Carter’s presidency was unknown to me all of these years later. He was far from perfect, yes, but this book provided some much-needed balance in my understanding of the man. Alter quotes the Carter aide Frank Moore boasting of some 26 legislative victories on the Hill, including on the environment, Civil Service reform, airline deregulation and more, but those battles receive nothing like the ticktock treatment that Alter gives the Camp David negotiations. Unfortunately, some of these measures were unpopular in the immediate time frame and others simply did not have a lot of attention drawn to them. Be the first to ask a question about His Very Best. He is one of the most under-covered former presidents. This information about His Very Best shown above was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. If only I could have read this book forty years ago, for as disappointed as it made me when reading about Carter's use of racial divisions while a state politician, I was even more impressed with the breadth and the depth of his accomplishments during his single term as president. A very clear picture of an imperfect human, constantly striving to do better and be better. His fierce moralism, a welcome corrective to past administrations’ realpolitik, prevented him from developing into a geopolitical strategist. Carter simply couldn’t catch a break. He was ‘disciplined … incorruptible … austere’, determined to do his best, self-punishing when he hadn’t. He is patient, but impatient. September 29th 2020 Eminently readable book about my hero and fellow Georgian Jimmy Carter. That's certainly true of Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer turned Georgia politician who came into the White House with high hopes, had a lackluster presidency, but found a redemption arc as America's longest-living former leader. Jimmy Carter is the most misunderstood president of our times. Book Excerpt: "His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life" - CBS News This is the first full biography on President Jimmy Carter, a man much misunderstood as President and much beloved after his presidency. He has sifted through archives, oral histories, unpublished diaries and secondary literature. Nonfiction Book Review: His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life by Jonathan Alter. His personality and skills set made him quite successful in certain endeavors. by Simon Schuster. Live program begins at 6 PM EST. Jonathan Alter’s important, fair-minded, highly readable contribution to this literature provides not just an authoritative introduction to Carter’s feats and failures but also insight into why a man of such intelligence, drive and noble intentions floundered in the White House as haplessly as he … A popular analysis has emerged, even among some people who admire Carter. "In this extraordinarily well-researched and well-written book, Jonathan Alter perfectly captures how Jimmy Carter was the most misunderstood president since Thomas Jefferson, and the only other not to lose a single American soldier in war. Carter received the first vote I ever cast for president, but I did not vote for him four years later (I supported independent John Anderson), as I believed that he had not been a success. Who remembers that, amid the Iranian crisis, Islamist radicals also torched the United States Embassies in Islamabad and Tripoli? I didn't particularly like Carter when he was President, and I hadn't really appreciated his post-Presidential efforts. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, effectively restarting the Cold War? Jimmy Carter is the most misunderstood president of our times. He is currently the oldest and longest living former president. HIS VERY BESTJimmy Carter, a LifeBy Jonathan Alter. Readers like me will find the first part of the book surprisingly satisfying…and the … I've since paid a few visits to Plains and his presidential library and museum, and even met him a couple of times. He accomplished so much in his lifetime that he puts all other ex-presidents to shame. Since 1996, Alter has been a contributing correspondent and political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. Highly recommended. Very illuminating biography of a complex, brilliant, and amazingly energetic man. His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life . Let me say it from the get-go: His Very Best is just about everything I want and hope for in a big presidential biography. The former naval officer (the title comes from a stern interview Carter endured with Hyman Rickover) tried not just to be a good man, but also to do his best every day. years as an ex-president. Those sa. I didn't particularly like Carter when he was President, and I hadn't really appreciated his post-Presidential efforts. But like Lyndon Johnson had done after his ascendance to the presidency in the 1960's, Carter used his executive power immediately (beginning with his inaugural address) to change the course of race relations in his native state. Indeed, his victory in the governor's election of 1970, in which he defeated a very popular, progressive ex-governor, came about only because Carter actively courted the vote of racist white Georgians. Carter comes across as a very complex person. Over the years and through Alter’s book, I’ve grown more confident I made the right decision. He was very much an independent, not always forming relationships with other former presidents and often stepping on their toes. Contending th His accomplishments were many while in office but often forgotten. Thoughtfulness in making decisions degenerated into dithering. But to be fair one cannot take away the numerous accomplishments that the Carter administration was responsible for. On the positive side as Douglas Brinkley argues in his THE UNFINISHED PRESIDENCY: JIMMY CARTER’S JOURNEY BEYOND THE WHITE HOUSE Carter’s post-presidency has been the most effective and impactful of any former president in American history. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. He is patient, but impatient. In recounting these episodes, Alter digs up forgotten details that make Carter’s travails even more excruciating than we might recall. Carter’s approval rating sank as low as 28 percent — Nixon levels — and on Election Day in 1980, he was routed by the former B-movie actor and California governor Ronald Reagan. My only critique is that his forty year post-presidency (probably his most lasting legacy) seemed a little rushed. It stays that way showing. I bet that when author Jonathan Alter began working on this book, he figured that it would be published after the death of the nation's thirty-ninth president- fat chance! Definitely rights some historical oversights, especially those from his presidency. His Very Best Jimmy Carter a Life by Jonathan Alter available in Hardcover on Powells.com, also read synopsis and reviews. Considering Carter is one of my least favorite presidents, I am pleasantly surprised at how much I've enjoyed the book and would recommend the book to anyone who might be interested in Jimmy Carter but doesn't want a too in-depth or lengthy book. Simon & Schuster, $37.50 (800p) ISBN 978-1-5011-2548-5. My personal history with presidents begins with my first election, which was Reagan vs Carter. I came away with the feeling that this was an amazing man who was overwhelmed by the responsibilities of the presidency. His impulse to master the details of policy, so often an asset, kept him from trusting others. He is the author of three New York Times bestsellers: “The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies”(2013), “The Promise: President Obama, Year One” (2010) and “The Defining Moment: FDR’s Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope”(2006), also one of the Times’ “Notable Books” of the year. And what a fascinating book it is. Overall Rating: 4½ stars. A well written reexamination of Jimmy Carter: His presidency and the years after. Monday, November 23. Jonathan Alter is an award-winning author, political analyst, documentary filmmaker, columnist, television producer and radio host. So I knew the broad outline of his life, his upbringing, his political rise, presidency and post-presidency. Worse, in 1970 Carter ran what Alter calls a “code word campaign” for governor, courting admirers of Alabama’s George Wallace — only to pivot after winning and announce at his inauguration that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” The ensuing encomiums, as much as anything, draped Carter in the credibility he needed to become a presidential contender in 1976. (Simon & Schuster, $37.50.) Join via Zoom . Presidential historian Alter delivers the first full-length, comprehensive biography of Jimmy Carter. You can order a copy of His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life. Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2020. Let me say it from the get-go: His Very Best is just about everything I want and hope for in a big presidential biography. The book reveals the horrible racism of Georgia, even up into the 1960s and 1970s. His new book, published in 2020, is "His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life." This is a book that show. We all knew about his work to bring about the Camp David Accords in 1978, but their light faded during the next two years, with the energy crisis, the hostage crisis, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and, of course, the "malaise" speech. Not a quick read, but a very informative biography that gave me a much better understanding of the man. His new book, published in 2020, is "His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life." His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life, by Jonathan Alter Anyone who's even vaguely familiar with Jimmy Carter has heard the assessment of his career that's become something of a political cliché: His presidency was largely a failure, but he's the best ex-president the country's ever had. He was the first President since Jefferson not to fight a war, and he was ahead of his time on climate change, the empowerment of women, and his pursuit of human rights. His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life eBook: Alter, Jonathan: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store Select Your Cookie Preferences We use cookies and similar tools to enhance your shopping experience, to provide our services, understand how customers use our services so we can make improvements, and display ads, including interest-based ads. What The Reviewers Say. One of the best political biographies I’ve read. Carter’s strengths and weaknesses are well covered and as well others around him. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life at Amazon.com. Jimmy Carter is the first president whose presidency I can remember. Comprehensive in scope, appropriate in depth, exceptionally balanced and filled with both personal and political insights, Alter’s biography of Jimmy Carter is extremely good – and quite possibly as good a biography as will ever be written of him. The book wraps up the story in 2020, with former president Carter dealing with the pandemic like the rest of us. Although Carter has flaws, and the author illuminates those flaws, this book points out the many accomplishments of his presidency, many which have been overlooked. FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2019, file photo, former President Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga. Nearly a year into the pandemic, Carter and his … the program begins. His assessment of Carter the man — disciplined, driven, stubborn, detail-oriented, technocratic, pious — doesn’t break radically from that of other historians. When Alter reaches Carter’s presidency, the theme of race drops away; economic and foreign issues dominated the agenda and the president’s attention. Alter tells an incredibly compelling story, clears up a lot of myths people have about Jimmy Carter (and the 70s in general), gives the reader an incredibly personal look at the man himself, and convincingly makes the case for the importance (not necessarily effectiveness) of his presidency. The diminution of the Carter presidency is somewhat unfair as luck was never on Car. I’m very pleased I read this book and highly recommend it. Rave David Greenberg, The New York Times Book Review. Well-balanced biography. But he pretty much sat out the civil rights movement, and managed never to meet his contemporary and fellow Georgian, Martin Luther King Jr. Hindsight history has judged Carter rightfully more favorably than he was judged in the first election I voted. This is a well written, interesting, fact filled book that may change your opinion of this many talented man. In 2018, the former Carter aide Stuart Eizenstat published a detailed account of his boss’s career, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Kai Bird has one in the works. HIS VERY BEST: Jimmy Carter, a Life, by Jonathan Alter. "The man has been frighteningly competent at almost anything he tried to do...". The reception of presidential biographies usually centers on how to rank the chief executive in question — a perennial parlor game. Alter's memorable book goes a long way toward illuminating the shadows that have long obscured him. More meaningful are analyses that locate a politician in context — that explain how an individual, with a unique character and set of ideas, fared in tackling the nation’s problems at a turning point in history. However, his achievements, both during his presidency and after, are significant, as Alter capably demonstrates. 1924), the peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia, can be “brisk—sometimes peevish—in private, with a biting wit beneath the patented smile.” He isn't a member in good standing of the "Former Presidents' Club," and the Clintons and Obamas are particularly cool to the Carters. Or so goes the 'traditional' narrative (if there is such a thing) of Carter, yet that version of history might not be entirely accurate, as Jonathan Alter explores in his new book on Carter's life and times. Jonathan Alter’s important, fair-minded, highly readable contribution to this literature provides not just an authoritative introduction to Carter’s feats and failures but also insight into why a man of such intelligence, drive and noble intentions floundered in the White House as haplessly as he did. Was the president overrated or underrated? A wonderful biography of a woefully underappreciated president. "His Very Best is a fascinating book, and Alter tells Carter's life story beautifully and with admirable fairness — he treats Carter as a real person, as flawed as anyone else, and not as a saint. And what a fascinating book it is. He accomplished so much in his lifetime that he puts all other ex-presidents to shame. Welcome back. I have read every book I could find on Jimmy Carter. At the Naval Academy, cadets mocked the earnest, toothy lad for sticking up for Wesley Brown, their one Black classmate; later, Carter faced down the local White Citizens’ Council in his hometown of Plains, Ga. I bet that when author Jonathan Alter began working on this book, he figured that it would be published after the death of the nation's thirty-ninth president- fat chance! As Jonathan Alter argues in His Very Best, Carter tends to get studied in relation to something else – economics, piety – and he is one of the first to consider Carter on his own terms. The first 20% of the book is an excellent review of Carter’s pre-presidency while the remainder of the book (roughly seven-hundred pages) provides a detailed examination of his presidency. Carter has done many good things since leaving the White House, but his freelance diplomatic efforts irritated all the Presidents who followed him. Alter’s book “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life” is available for purchase wherever books are sold and watch all of DJ Sixsmith’s interviews from “The Sit-Down” series here. Although Carter’s presidency constitutes the heart of the book, Alter spends 300 pages on his pre-presidential years, tracing the formation of Carter’s character and politics. Those who RSVP will receive a reminder to join shortly before. Better have shown more about the time and area than dance around it. He has dedicated his after-presidency life to helping people world wide, from clean drinking water, safe and honest election monitoring, to helping later presidents with negociating with world leaders. Reviews for His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life Jonathan Alter has painted an important and revealing portrait of Jimmy Carter, an American president who led many different lives. His Very Best is a fascinating book, and Alter tells Carter's life story beautifully and with admirable fairness — he treats Carter as a real person, as flawed as anyone else, and not as a saint. "His Very Best is a fascinating book, and Alter tells Carter's life story beautifully and with admirable fairness — he treats Carter as a real person, as flawed as anyone else, and not as a saint. Jimmy Carter is usually regarded as a failed president and America’s greatest former president. His exaggerated, one-sided criticisms of Israel tarnished his image as an honest broker in the Middle East. Few of America's Presidents can say they led unimportant lives. Carter comes across as a very complex person. But what Alter shows in this study is the many significant, and often overlooked accomplishments of the Carter years, many of which were incredibly prescient about future challenges, including negotiating a new Panama Canal Treaty (which probably avoided war and terrorism in Central America), global warming, energy conservation, the preservation of resources, health care initiatives, creating the Departments of Education and Energy, and attempts to decriminalize marijuana, among others. ADVERTISEMENT. On the positive side as Douglas Brinkley argues in his THE UNFINISHED PRESIDENCY: JIMMY CARTER’S JOURNEY BEYOND THE WHITE HOUSE Carter’s post-presidency has been the most effective and impactful of any former president in American history. An unvarnished look at a pretty incredible life. Carter has always been a personal hero of mine. Ironically, when the book hits its narrative stride, it is largely a chronicle of defeat and drift. We kept the peace.”. Alter surely sees Carter's humanity and yet raises the majesty of Carter's presidency. Jimmy Carter certainly has always given “his very best”. Jimmy Carter is the president we needed. "He's an admirable man and certainly had the best post-presidency ever, but he a) was too much of a micromanager, b) brought small timers and a chip on his shoulder to Washington and couldn't get much done, and/or c) was a weak … But the book is no apologia. His accomplishments were many while in office but often forgotten. This is a great biography and very absorbing. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Jimmy Carter. A well written reexamination of Jimmy Carter: His presidency and the years after. As I had hoped, the bulk of the book focuses on Carter's time in the White House, with appropriate coverage also being given to his early life, his time as a Georgia politician, and in the book's coda, his work during his forty(!) This book opened my eyes to the real Jimmy Carter, the good and not so good. Turned out of office after one term amid a cratering economy and a shambles of a foreign policy, deemed too conservative by liberals and too liberal by conservatives, Carter has been orphaned by biographers. The world would be so much better had he had a second term. Alter’s research for this book was extensive and gave interesting details of events I lived through. When he reported having been attacked by a “vicious-looking, oversized swamp rabbit” while fishing? His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life, by Jonathan Alter Anyone who's even vaguely familiar with Jimmy Carter has heard the assessment of his career that's become something of a political cliché: His presidency was largely a failure, but he's the best ex-president the country's ever had. I have a caveat about the beginning that covers Carter’s life before the presidency, there are apologies for Carter not being a figure from 2020 instead of a person who lived in the Jim Crow South even though he may have nor agreed with things. This is the first full biography on President Jimmy Carter, a man much misunderstood as President and much beloved after his presidency. In 2016 there was a reaction to image and a man no one could deny was an outsider to Washington was elected, yet far from doing the right things, from draining the swamp, the new president got busy tearing things apart. Spring is Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Oof–let’s try this again.” The last 12 months have been, well, challenging is the polite term.... To see what your friends thought of this book. But when this book gets into the presidency it really takes shape and gives an excellent portrait of both the positive/negative and good and. James Earl Carter Jr. (b. 'His Very Best' deftly transforms our understanding of the quality of Jimmy Carter. When Joe Louis fought Max Schmeling, Earl cheered for the German, Lillian for the Brown Bomber. How did a southern barefoot boy grow up to be a smart, honest president who did the right thing but not always the politically wise thing. And hopefully when he does finally leave us, he will get a national send-off that recognizes that he was a good president, as well as being the most accomplished ex-president in American history. Considering Carter is one of my least favorite presidents, I am pleasantly surprised at how much I've enjoyed the book and would recommen. This is a book that shows the good, the bad and the ugly, but you come out admiring Carter for his many contributions to this country. But Alter keeps Carter’s myriad facets in view throughout, rendering his subject with a depth rarely achieved by political journalism. Twelve years of conservative governance followed, which may stand as Carter’s ultimate legacy. As I had hoped, the bulk of the book focuses on Carter's time in the White House, with appropriate coverage also being given to his early life, his time as a Georgia politician, an. Start by marking “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life” as Want to Read: Error rating book. Does he merit new appreciation or a thorough debunking? Knew much of it from Carter's own books, but Alter did an excellent job. Well worth the 670 pages. I will now judge President. Carter was incredibly hands on, mastering every subject he came upon. Related. Carter has many very bad choices which are often highlighted by not playing politics. In contrast, Jimmy’s mother, Lillian, a nurse, was liberal and tolerant, treating Jimmy’s Black friends as equals — although as Alter shows, she too harbored her prejudices. He almost single-handedly forged the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, the Panama Canal Treaty and many environmental measures. His Very Best : Jimmy Carter, a Life, Hardcover by Alter, Jonathan, ISBN 1432884522, ISBN-13 9781432884529, Brand New, Free shipping in the US From one of America's most respected journalists and modern historians comes the first full-length biography of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and Nobel Prize-winning humanitarian. Was it the day Islamic revolutionaries overran the American Embassy in Tehran, beginning a 444-day captivity drama? But when this book gets into the presidency it really takes shape and gives an excellent portrait of both the positive/negative and good and bad. He was not a great public speaker and lacked some political sense. Jimmy and Rosalynn seem to be removed from their children's lives, much as Ronald and Nancy Reagan were. The book doesn't sugarcoat Carter's shortcomings as a person or his missteps as President. I learned a few things after reading this book and would definitely recommend it. Nevertheless, the life he's led since leaving the White House has improved the world so much. The Iranian hostage crisis, which was his greatest failure, is explained in a manner that makes you more understanding of what Carter faced. We’d love your help. Thank you Jonathan for Helping me understand Jimmy. I have heard him teach Sunday school 3 times, and remember him touching on several topics in this book, esp N. Korea, sanctions (he doesn’t think they work) and Presidents Obama and Trump not seeking his advice. To succeed as a politician, image can go a long way. Jimmy Carter is usually regarded as a failed president and America’s greatest former president. I have read some of Carter’s books and most of the biographies about him. Alter's pacing is wonderful; his accounts of some of the more dramatic events in Carter's presidency are thrillingly told, but this never comes at the cost of the humanity of the people involved. His most recent, published Sept. 29, reviews the life of Jimmy Carter: "His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life." He was ‘disciplined … incorruptible … austere’, determined to do his best, self-punishing when he hadn’t. A great book. * “ Jimmy Carter: A Comprehensive Biography from Plains to Post-Presidency ” (1997) by Peter Bourne – this is a meritorious but slightly curious comprehensive study of Carter’s life. https://www.amazon.com/His-Very-Best-Jimmy-Carter/dp/1501125486 Buy His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life Illustrated by Alter, Jonathan (ISBN: 9781501125485) from Amazon's Book Store. Alter’s most gripping sections detail such unhappy stories as the hostage saga, the 1979 “malaise” speech (Carter’s awkward rhetorical bid to confront the economic and energy crises), and the primary challenge he faced in 1980 from Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts — a challenge Carter repelled, but which dissolved the (provisional) loyalty of many liberal Democrats. He was timid in the face of racial injustice much of his life, but bold in later years. His stern, conservative father, Earl, “prided himself on treating Black people with what he, in blinkered fashion, considered respect,” Alter writes, while still very much a creature of the white rural South. He was timid in the face of racial injustice much of his life, but bold in later years. She is a major character in this biography, which is the story of a loving marriage (not without its tensions) and a political partnership. Those same personality traits and skills caused him to fail at other times. In these chapters, the imperatives of analytic and narrative history come into conflict. Jonathan Alter has done an immense service to history with this biography. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. He is currently the oldest and longest living former president. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published In 2019, he co-produced and co-directed the HBO documentary, “Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists.”, “To him, that wasn't tough but, rather, a sign of insecurity, and he viewed the killer instinct that he lacked as a bogus prerequisite for good leadership.”, President James Earl ("Jimmy") Carter Jr. (nonfiction), Goodreads Members' Most Anticipated Spring Books. Poor guy drove Clinton and Obama crazy. It reads very smoothly and the author doesn't bother getting bogged down into the little details that often become tedious in other presidential biographies. He is humble, but proud. Few of these pilgrims, surely, consider Carter a Rushmore-worthy president, but they admire what Alter calls his “core decency.” In the lives of even those presidents who falter, after all there is drama and significance, pathos and inspiration — and a welter of experiences that are worth understanding if for no other reason than that they altered the course of our nation.
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