10 Essential Jimmy Carter Books – WABE

Throughout his life, Jimmy Carter held many titles: 39th President of the United States, Nobel Peace Prize Winnerphilanthropist, humanitarianartist – and writer.

In his role as an author, Carter has written mostly non-fiction, on everything from war and peace to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to faith, personal reflections on his childhood and aging — and even fishing. But he also dabbled in fiction – with a children’s book, Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer, illustrated by his daughter Amy, and a novel, The Hornet’s Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War.

Carter published his first book, a campaign autobiography titled “Why Isn’t He the Best?” in 1975. Since then, he has written over 30 works. “Of all our modern presidents, Jimmy Carter was America’s most protean author,” said his publisher Jonathan Karp, chairman and CEO of Simon & Schuster, in a statement issued in late February 2023. “In all of his books, he maintained a voice. of great integrity and intellectual honesty.”

Carter wrote books about his life and beliefs. But writers and historians alike have been fascinated by examining and reexamining Carter as president, his post-Oval impact, and his legacy. Here, we look at 10 of the most famous titles by or about Jimmy Carter.

5 of Carter’s most read books

“An Hour Before Daylight: Memoirs of a Rural Childhood” (2002)

Carter’s memoir details his childhood in segregated rural Georgia during the Great Depression. He reflects on life in a silk economy while painting a portrait of his community and family.

“Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis” (2006)

Published 2005, Carter provides a defense of the separation of church and state, as well as his views on contemporary issues such as women’s rights, abortion, terrorism and the death penalty.

‘Palestine: Peace, Not Apartheid” (2007)

Written after the White House, Carter presents his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict – sharing his knowledge of the history of the Middle East and providing an assessment of solutions for peace in the future.

‘A Full Life: Reflections on 90′ (2015)

Even at 90 years old, Carter did not stop writing. In “A full life: reflections on 90 years,” Carter looks back on his long life—from growing up in rural Georgia to accomplishing the causes he’s most passionate about—and shares the lessons he’s learned along the way.

“Faith: A Journey for All” (2018)

As a devout Baptist, religion has always been a key pillar in Carter’s life. But his book “Faith: A Journey For All” is much more than that. In it, Carter explores the broader meanings of faith, the different ways it sustains our lives, and how to find faith even in the darkest of times.

5 of the most read Carter biographies

‘The Unfinished Presidency’ by Douglas Brinkley (1998)

Brinkley’s “Unfinished Presidency” focuses on Carter’s resurrection after his defeat by Ronald Reagan in 1980. Brinkley offers observations on Carter’s complex relationships with international figures as well as his lifelong commitment to world peace .

‘Jimmy Carter’ by Julian Zelizer (2010)

Princeton history professor Julian Zelizer examines Carter’s strategy as a maverick politician who was able to communicate and win over voters dissatisfied with politics, but who faced challenges in building a strong political coalition once in office . After the presidency, Carter remade his image as a key voice for diplomacy and negotiation.

‘President Carter: The White House Years by Stuart Eizenstat (2018)

Written by Carter’s chief domestic policy adviser, “President Carter: The White House Years” provides an in-depth look at the Carter administration. The account is based on more than 5,000 pages of meeting notes, as well as 350 interviews of important actors of the time.

His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life by Jonathan Alter (2020)

In “His best: Jimmy Carter, A Life“, journalist Jonathan Alter traces the evolution of Carter’s life—from being raised on a farm to working as a naval nuclear engineer to his presidency and its aftermath—painting a portrait of a president who had his flaws but was committed to uplift and serve the American people. .

‘The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter’ by Kai Bird (2021)

From interviews with Jimmy Carter, his administration, and relevant documents, Bird’s “The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter” aims to redefine the legacy of the Carter administration, arguing that the 39th president has been largely misunderstood.