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A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety
Jimmy Carter, thirty-ninth President, Nobel Peace Prize winner, international humanitarian, fisherman, reflects on his full and happy life with pride, humor, and a few second thoughts.
At ninety, Jimmy Carter reflects on his public and private life with a frankness that is disarming. He adds detail and emotion about his youth in rural Georgia that he described in his magnificent An Hour Before Daylight. He writes about racism and the isolation of the Carters. He describes the brutality of the hazing regimen at Annapolis, and how he nearly lost his life twice serving on submarines and his amazing interview with Admiral Rickover. He describes the profound influence his mother had on him, and how he admired his father even though he didn't emulate him. He admits that he decided to quit the Navy and later enter politics without consulting his wife, Rosalynn, and how appalled he is in retrospect.
In A Full Life, Carter tells what he is proud of and what he might do differently. He discusses his regret at losing his re-election, but how he and Rosalynn pushed on and made a new life and second and third rewarding careers. He is frank about the presidents who have succeeded him, world leaders, and his passions for the causes he cares most about, particularly the condition of women and the deprived people of the developing world.
This is a wise and moving look back from this remarkable man. Jimmy Carter has lived one of our great American lives -- from rural obscurity to world fame, universal respect, and contentment. A Full Life is an extraordinary read.
At ninety, Jimmy Carter reflects on his public and private life with a frankness that is disarming. He adds detail and emotion about his youth in rural Georgia that he described in his magnificent An Hour Before Daylight. He writes about racism and the isolation of the Carters. He describes the brutality of the hazing regimen at Annapolis, and how he nearly lost his life twice serving on submarines and his amazing interview with Admiral Rickover. He describes the profound influence his mother had on him, and how he admired his father even though he didn't emulate him. He admits that he decided to quit the Navy and later enter politics without consulting his wife, Rosalynn, and how appalled he is in retrospect.
In A Full Life, Carter tells what he is proud of and what he might do differently. He discusses his regret at losing his re-election, but how he and Rosalynn pushed on and made a new life and second and third rewarding careers. He is frank about the presidents who have succeeded him, world leaders, and his passions for the causes he cares most about, particularly the condition of women and the deprived people of the developing world.
This is a wise and moving look back from this remarkable man. Jimmy Carter has lived one of our great American lives -- from rural obscurity to world fame, universal respect, and contentment. A Full Life is an extraordinary read.
257 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2015
About the author
Jimmy Carter
240 books511 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
James Earl Carter, Junior, known as Jimmy, the thirty-ninth president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, creditably established energy-conservation measures, concluded the treaties of Panama Canal in 1978, negotiated the accords of Camp David between Egypt and Israel in 1979, and won the Nobel Prize of 2002 for peace.
Ronald Wilson Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter, the incumbent, in the presidential election of 1980.
He served and received. Carter served two terms in the senate of Georgia and as the 76th governor from 1971 to 1975.
Carter created new Cabinet-level Department of education. A national policy included price decontrol and new technology. From 1977, people reduced foreign oil imports one-half to 1982. In foreign affairs, Carter pursued the second round of strategic arms limitation talks (SALT). Carter sought to put a stronger emphasis on human rights in 1979. People saw his return of the zone as a major concession of influence in Latin America, and Carter came under heavy criticism.
Iranian students in 1979 took over the American embassy and held hostages, and an attempt to rescue them failed; several additional major crises, including serious fuel shortages and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, marked the final year of his tenure. Edward Moore Kennedy challenged significantly higher disapproval ratings of Carter for nomination of the Democratic Party before the election of 1980. Carter defeated Kennedy for the nomination lost the election to Ronald Wilson Reagan, a Republican.
Carter left office and with Rosalynn Smith Carter, his wife, afterward founded the nongovernmental center and organization that works to advance human rights. He traveled extensively to conduct, to observe elections, and to advance disease prevention and eradication in developing nations. He, a key, also figures in the project of habitat for humanity. Carter particularly vocalizes on the Palestinian conflict.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jimmyc...
James Earl Carter, Junior, known as Jimmy, the thirty-ninth president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, creditably established energy-conservation measures, concluded the treaties of Panama Canal in 1978, negotiated the accords of Camp David between Egypt and Israel in 1979, and won the Nobel Prize of 2002 for peace.
Ronald Wilson Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter, the incumbent, in the presidential election of 1980.
He served and received. Carter served two terms in the senate of Georgia and as the 76th governor from 1971 to 1975.
Carter created new Cabinet-level Department of education. A national policy included price decontrol and new technology. From 1977, people reduced foreign oil imports one-half to 1982. In foreign affairs, Carter pursued the second round of strategic arms limitation talks (SALT). Carter sought to put a stronger emphasis on human rights in 1979. People saw his return of the zone as a major concession of influence in Latin America, and Carter came under heavy criticism.
Iranian students in 1979 took over the American embassy and held hostages, and an attempt to rescue them failed; several additional major crises, including serious fuel shortages and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, marked the final year of his tenure. Edward Moore Kennedy challenged significantly higher disapproval ratings of Carter for nomination of the Democratic Party before the election of 1980. Carter defeated Kennedy for the nomination lost the election to Ronald Wilson Reagan, a Republican.
Carter left office and with Rosalynn Smith Carter, his wife, afterward founded the nongovernmental center and organization that works to advance human rights. He traveled extensively to conduct, to observe elections, and to advance disease prevention and eradication in developing nations. He, a key, also figures in the project of habitat for humanity. Carter particularly vocalizes on the Palestinian conflict.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jimmyc...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 934 reviews
January 18, 2024
On October 1st, Jimmy Carter turned 99, like my Dad did recently. And did you know you can send your own Personalized Wish online for his HUNDREDTH at www.cartercenter.org?
Well, he has given it his best shot.
AND STILL HE KEEPS GOING.
For now, even after a debilitating injury and fighting melanoma, he’s still full of moral vigour, even with his beloved wife of 77 years now gone.
Just a few years ago, Jimmy Carter urged charitable donors to ease up their monthly tithing a bit, and make up the difference with a personal donation to a local charity of their choice which dedicates its efforts to COVID relief work.
If we don’t relieve our front-line troops NOW, who’ll be there for us if We fall sick?
His hundredth birthday will be more subdued - he is now the oldest ex-President ever. Surprisingly, more and more young people congratulate him now for his indefatigable charity work than for his work as president.
Yes, Carter’s trying to go to his Reward by the Strait Gate - with open hands and heart!
Why shouldn’t WE do OUR best, too, in our living years?
If I could emulate him in my nineties I’d be a bit more proud of my own meagre efforts.
But now, for a long time Carter just charged on, Full Steam Ahead.
This book tells you all about the details (see my notes) of a Life Well Lived. Here, as always, Carter’s full of practical common sense and decency.
Reading my notes on Kindle Notes will give you firsthand insight on a COMPASSIONATE way of running a country.
And you know what?
If ever a man deserves credit for always trying to do the Right Thing, Jimmy Carter’s that guy!
Well, he has given it his best shot.
AND STILL HE KEEPS GOING.
For now, even after a debilitating injury and fighting melanoma, he’s still full of moral vigour, even with his beloved wife of 77 years now gone.
Just a few years ago, Jimmy Carter urged charitable donors to ease up their monthly tithing a bit, and make up the difference with a personal donation to a local charity of their choice which dedicates its efforts to COVID relief work.
If we don’t relieve our front-line troops NOW, who’ll be there for us if We fall sick?
His hundredth birthday will be more subdued - he is now the oldest ex-President ever. Surprisingly, more and more young people congratulate him now for his indefatigable charity work than for his work as president.
Yes, Carter’s trying to go to his Reward by the Strait Gate - with open hands and heart!
Why shouldn’t WE do OUR best, too, in our living years?
If I could emulate him in my nineties I’d be a bit more proud of my own meagre efforts.
But now, for a long time Carter just charged on, Full Steam Ahead.
This book tells you all about the details (see my notes) of a Life Well Lived. Here, as always, Carter’s full of practical common sense and decency.
Reading my notes on Kindle Notes will give you firsthand insight on a COMPASSIONATE way of running a country.
And you know what?
If ever a man deserves credit for always trying to do the Right Thing, Jimmy Carter’s that guy!
September 11, 2015
I just finished listening to this autobiography and most of it was very interesting.
I reserved this at the library about a week before the news came out about Jimmy Carter's cancer. I have always respected the man, even if I haven't always agreed with his policies, and I wanted to learn more about him.
What I discovered was that Jimmy Carter is a fascinating man. I have always heard him described as a "peanut farmer" and I find myself wondering why. I had never heard that he served in the Navy. I hadn't heard that he was a submariner or that he had a degree as a nuclear engineer. That's pretty far away from a peanut farmer, in my book.
It seems that President Carter has always been working, even as a child on his father's farm. It also seems that he is a good man at heart, and has donated many hours of his time supporting the causes important to him and his family. It was these charitable acts that I found the most interesting. Well, that and his relationships with other former presidents and world leaders.
I enjoyed this audiobook, narrated by President Carter himself. I will admit though, at times my mind did wander a little bit and I found a few portions to be a bit dry in the telling.
Other than those tiny issues, I enjoyed learning more about this former president and his personal life and I would recommend this audio book to anyone else that wants to learn the same.
I reserved this at the library about a week before the news came out about Jimmy Carter's cancer. I have always respected the man, even if I haven't always agreed with his policies, and I wanted to learn more about him.
What I discovered was that Jimmy Carter is a fascinating man. I have always heard him described as a "peanut farmer" and I find myself wondering why. I had never heard that he served in the Navy. I hadn't heard that he was a submariner or that he had a degree as a nuclear engineer. That's pretty far away from a peanut farmer, in my book.
It seems that President Carter has always been working, even as a child on his father's farm. It also seems that he is a good man at heart, and has donated many hours of his time supporting the causes important to him and his family. It was these charitable acts that I found the most interesting. Well, that and his relationships with other former presidents and world leaders.
I enjoyed this audiobook, narrated by President Carter himself. I will admit though, at times my mind did wander a little bit and I found a few portions to be a bit dry in the telling.
Other than those tiny issues, I enjoyed learning more about this former president and his personal life and I would recommend this audio book to anyone else that wants to learn the same.
August 21, 2015
I certainly didn't think I'd be reading this during the week of the President's diagnosis, let alone finishing it on the day of an amazing press conference. For the book, I'll say this: read the beginning to understand an America long gone. Read the rest to understand the America that might have been, had we not taken the road of 'trickle down' and false patriotism. Carter? He kept the peace, obeyed the law, told the truth . . . to the end. A full life, that has been a gift to us all.
January 5, 2020
Jimmy Carter has led one very interesting life. I wasn’t actually inspired by this book, but that was my fault. I didn’t realize when I began reading it, that this book is more a reflection on Carter’s entire life. The minutiae and the legendary.
An engrossing read. Expect this one to be more like a biographical sketch. I’m glad I read it. There are some fabulous stories within these pages. I’m a sucker for a great story. I think the story about his first senate race in Georgia and how his opponent cheated was one of my favorites. I am still laughing about the proposal in senate that people be prohibited from voting after having been DEAD for THREE years😂 It was a different world back then.
The book is well-written. Erudite. Carter’s poetry is quite good. I first sighed when I realized there was poetry. I’m a poet and reading bad poetry is painful. His poems are excellent though.
An enjoyable read. I think the next book I’ll read by him will be The White House Diaries.
An engrossing read. Expect this one to be more like a biographical sketch. I’m glad I read it. There are some fabulous stories within these pages. I’m a sucker for a great story. I think the story about his first senate race in Georgia and how his opponent cheated was one of my favorites. I am still laughing about the proposal in senate that people be prohibited from voting after having been DEAD for THREE years😂 It was a different world back then.
The book is well-written. Erudite. Carter’s poetry is quite good. I first sighed when I realized there was poetry. I’m a poet and reading bad poetry is painful. His poems are excellent though.
An enjoyable read. I think the next book I’ll read by him will be The White House Diaries.
June 14, 2015
In 1974 I finished undergraduate school, got married and moved to Texas so my husband could go to grad school. I was ready to start real life and that involved getting my first job: as a file clerk! Another young woman that I met as we were filing raved about this man named Jimmy Carter who had come to her Baptist church -- he had been governor of Georgia and he was going to be the next President of the U.S. Who? That was my first introduction to Jimmy Carter and I did vote for him in 1976 (and felt sad when Jerry Ford lost, I liked him and his family too). I have always been interested in President Carter and his family and I've enjoyed when he writes about his life so I was very happy to be able to download an eARC of his latest book.
Jimmy Carter truly has had a full life and although in this book he mentions some vignettes that are also in his previous books they fit into his continuing story. His writing here sometimes feels a little choppy and this is the first time I've ever read any of his poetry. He definitely has come to enjoy writing, something he first started to advance his political career but then turned to as a way to earn income after his Presidency and continues because he likes to do it.
President Carter freely admits times that he has made mistakes and events that did not turn out as he wished but he comes across as a man who is very comfortable with most of his decisions. His humor is subtle and but so enjoyable when it shows up. I remember the fight over the Panama Canal in the news in the 70s but did not really pay attention to it. Then my husband and I went there to live for 2 years (1979-81)and the new treaty was in place and we got to live there at a time of change. I really enjoyed that part of this book because it gave me background into this place and time that I was not that informed about, especially how hard it was to get this treaty passed. Jimmy Carter has lived a remarkable life - he says in this book that he will probably be spending more time at home rather than traveling but I'm sure he will stay busy and involved for as long as he is on this earth.
Jimmy Carter truly has had a full life and although in this book he mentions some vignettes that are also in his previous books they fit into his continuing story. His writing here sometimes feels a little choppy and this is the first time I've ever read any of his poetry. He definitely has come to enjoy writing, something he first started to advance his political career but then turned to as a way to earn income after his Presidency and continues because he likes to do it.
President Carter freely admits times that he has made mistakes and events that did not turn out as he wished but he comes across as a man who is very comfortable with most of his decisions. His humor is subtle and but so enjoyable when it shows up. I remember the fight over the Panama Canal in the news in the 70s but did not really pay attention to it. Then my husband and I went there to live for 2 years (1979-81)and the new treaty was in place and we got to live there at a time of change. I really enjoyed that part of this book because it gave me background into this place and time that I was not that informed about, especially how hard it was to get this treaty passed. Jimmy Carter has lived a remarkable life - he says in this book that he will probably be spending more time at home rather than traveling but I'm sure he will stay busy and involved for as long as he is on this earth.
July 19, 2015
I saw an interview with Jimmy Carter on the PBS NewsHour, and that interview triggered me to buy the book. I was amazed at how much Carter has done and been in his ninety years. He has been Governor of Georgia, President of the United States, a naval officer, a cotton and peanut farmer, philanthropist and author. He also has been a professor at Emory University for the past 33 years. Carter has written over 30 books and one of the books was a Pulitzer Prize finalist, he also was a Nobel Peace prize recipient.
In this book Carter tells about his formative year growing up on a farm in Georgia. He goes into depth about his years at the United States Naval Academy and his eleven years in the Navy.
In the book Carter describes the race problems growing up and living in the Deep South throughout his lifespan. He describes the harassment and ostracizing his family faced because he voted for integration. He goes into his time working his way through local and state politics in Georgia. He states Plains schools did not admit a black student until 1962, thirteen years after the United States Supreme Courts Brown V Board of Education decision.
Carter briefly goes into his time as President but spends most of the rest of the book about life since he left office. He provided lots of information on the Carter Center and his role as a gadfly. The book also contains some of his poems. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Jimmy Carter narrated the book himself. I understand the print version also has pictures of some of his paintings.
In this book Carter tells about his formative year growing up on a farm in Georgia. He goes into depth about his years at the United States Naval Academy and his eleven years in the Navy.
In the book Carter describes the race problems growing up and living in the Deep South throughout his lifespan. He describes the harassment and ostracizing his family faced because he voted for integration. He goes into his time working his way through local and state politics in Georgia. He states Plains schools did not admit a black student until 1962, thirteen years after the United States Supreme Courts Brown V Board of Education decision.
Carter briefly goes into his time as President but spends most of the rest of the book about life since he left office. He provided lots of information on the Carter Center and his role as a gadfly. The book also contains some of his poems. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Jimmy Carter narrated the book himself. I understand the print version also has pictures of some of his paintings.
April 20, 2020
I listened to the audio version of this, read by Carter himself. Interesting most of the time, remarkable at others. I have high regard for this man of integrity and enjoyed his life reflections.
August 21, 2015
For many Americans Jimmy Carter will be remembered as one of the worst US presidents in recent history.
His legacy remains blighted by memories of the Iran hostage crisis, still a painful national humiliation, soaring energy costs, crippling stagflation and a sense that the US was emasculated by a weak commander.
The kindest critics describe him as more effective as an ex-president than he ever was as leader of the free world.
He deserves better, both for his term in office from 1977-1981 and as a diplomat and mediator confronting some of the most divisive issues of modern times.
This latest book, the 29th he has published, is not, like so many political autobiographies, an attempt to redeem or even burnish his reputation. It’s more of a personal, matter-of-fact plod through the arc of a diverse life.
There’s a quiet dignity about his perspective on his presidency. There are regrets, but no attempt to retrospectively justify policies and decisions that didn’t work out.
“I look back on those four years with peace and satisfaction, knowing that I did my best and had some notable achievements.”
Foremost among those achievements was the 1978 signing of the Camp David Accords in which Egypt formally recognized the state of Israel.
He defers to his vice-president, Walter Mondale, to sum up the best of their administration, quoting him saying: “We told the truth, we obeyed the law, we kept the peace.” And then he goes on to add: “We championed human rights.”
For a man who has endured so much opprobrium the book is remarkably even-toned, a monochrome view of a colorful career.
There’s no bile or anger directed at political opponents, no hyperbole or intrigue and no ‘setting the record straight’.
He does wish he’d sacked his supreme commander of US forces in Europe, General Alexander Haig, stating: “I had difficulty in understanding what he was trying to say and was concerned about his partisanship and derogation of my policies emphasizing peace and human rights.”
He also had a testy relationship with Chancellor Helmut Schmidt of Germany, recording in his diary after a meeting: “He’s a strange man and a good leader of Germany. I’m afraid he has a problem in his attitude toward me…he’s constantly critical of the United States, of our fairness, our commitment, our honesty”.
There may be frustration, but there’s no deep-rooted vindictiveness, no spiteful retorts. Events and meetings are recorded almost as if viewed by an onlooker rather than a key participant. What does shine through, especially in the post-presidential years, is a continued desire to make the world a fairer, better place.
Carter comes across as that rarest of men, a politician who refuses to bend his beliefs to court popularity, and a principled individual whose firmly held opinions have led him into deep and troubled waters.
In 2006 he faced harsh criticism from members of his own Democratic party, the powerful Israeli lobby in the US, and hard-liners in Tel Aviv for condemning Israel’s attitudes towards the Palestinians in his book Palestine – Peace not Apartheid.
He has talked to tyrants, despots and “unsavory people” like North Korea’s Kim Il Sung, Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir and Ethiopia’s Communist dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam.
These choices “are not always popular”, he blandly states, but they are not allowed to divert him from efforts to find compromise in intractable situations or broker peace deals where other avenues have ended in deadlock.
He also continues to speak truth to power, denouncing Supreme Court rulings on unlimited, secret campaign funding as a subversion of the US political system.
The country had become an oligarchy in which there was “unlimited political bribery”, he said on a nationally syndicated radio show last month.
Earlier this year he vowed to tackle violence and injustice against girls and women saying it would be the highest priority for the rest of his life.
He hadn’t known then that he had cancer of the liver that has since metastasized to parts of his brain and which he expects to continue to spread as he undergoes treatment.
Just as he did at the end of his presidency, the inevitable parting is being met with a calm dignity: “It is in the hands of God and I am prepared for anything that comes. I feel very good. I have had no pain or debility.”
Telling the truth, obeying the law, keeping the peace and championing human rights is quite a legacy.
So forget Iran, the handover of the Panama Canal, the economic woes and all the other perceived failings. America briefly had the kind of principled president who could pass scrutiny as an exemplar to the rest of the world of the kind of decency, humanity and humility required from a leader in the democratic world.
His legacy remains blighted by memories of the Iran hostage crisis, still a painful national humiliation, soaring energy costs, crippling stagflation and a sense that the US was emasculated by a weak commander.
The kindest critics describe him as more effective as an ex-president than he ever was as leader of the free world.
He deserves better, both for his term in office from 1977-1981 and as a diplomat and mediator confronting some of the most divisive issues of modern times.
This latest book, the 29th he has published, is not, like so many political autobiographies, an attempt to redeem or even burnish his reputation. It’s more of a personal, matter-of-fact plod through the arc of a diverse life.
There’s a quiet dignity about his perspective on his presidency. There are regrets, but no attempt to retrospectively justify policies and decisions that didn’t work out.
“I look back on those four years with peace and satisfaction, knowing that I did my best and had some notable achievements.”
Foremost among those achievements was the 1978 signing of the Camp David Accords in which Egypt formally recognized the state of Israel.
He defers to his vice-president, Walter Mondale, to sum up the best of their administration, quoting him saying: “We told the truth, we obeyed the law, we kept the peace.” And then he goes on to add: “We championed human rights.”
For a man who has endured so much opprobrium the book is remarkably even-toned, a monochrome view of a colorful career.
There’s no bile or anger directed at political opponents, no hyperbole or intrigue and no ‘setting the record straight’.
He does wish he’d sacked his supreme commander of US forces in Europe, General Alexander Haig, stating: “I had difficulty in understanding what he was trying to say and was concerned about his partisanship and derogation of my policies emphasizing peace and human rights.”
He also had a testy relationship with Chancellor Helmut Schmidt of Germany, recording in his diary after a meeting: “He’s a strange man and a good leader of Germany. I’m afraid he has a problem in his attitude toward me…he’s constantly critical of the United States, of our fairness, our commitment, our honesty”.
There may be frustration, but there’s no deep-rooted vindictiveness, no spiteful retorts. Events and meetings are recorded almost as if viewed by an onlooker rather than a key participant. What does shine through, especially in the post-presidential years, is a continued desire to make the world a fairer, better place.
Carter comes across as that rarest of men, a politician who refuses to bend his beliefs to court popularity, and a principled individual whose firmly held opinions have led him into deep and troubled waters.
In 2006 he faced harsh criticism from members of his own Democratic party, the powerful Israeli lobby in the US, and hard-liners in Tel Aviv for condemning Israel’s attitudes towards the Palestinians in his book Palestine – Peace not Apartheid.
He has talked to tyrants, despots and “unsavory people” like North Korea’s Kim Il Sung, Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir and Ethiopia’s Communist dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam.
These choices “are not always popular”, he blandly states, but they are not allowed to divert him from efforts to find compromise in intractable situations or broker peace deals where other avenues have ended in deadlock.
He also continues to speak truth to power, denouncing Supreme Court rulings on unlimited, secret campaign funding as a subversion of the US political system.
The country had become an oligarchy in which there was “unlimited political bribery”, he said on a nationally syndicated radio show last month.
Earlier this year he vowed to tackle violence and injustice against girls and women saying it would be the highest priority for the rest of his life.
He hadn’t known then that he had cancer of the liver that has since metastasized to parts of his brain and which he expects to continue to spread as he undergoes treatment.
Just as he did at the end of his presidency, the inevitable parting is being met with a calm dignity: “It is in the hands of God and I am prepared for anything that comes. I feel very good. I have had no pain or debility.”
Telling the truth, obeying the law, keeping the peace and championing human rights is quite a legacy.
So forget Iran, the handover of the Panama Canal, the economic woes and all the other perceived failings. America briefly had the kind of principled president who could pass scrutiny as an exemplar to the rest of the world of the kind of decency, humanity and humility required from a leader in the democratic world.
September 3, 2015
I absolutely was stunned by the information in this book and the man Jimmy Carter. I knew he was president but had no idea of the scope of his greatness or the humbleness he has shown to his fellow man. He must surely be one of the great humanitarians of our century. From the time he was a child he was a determined person. Just the detail of that are in this book. I loved he shared his personal faith and lived it. I feel so inspired reading this book. The lessons he learned in life, the grief, the failures. how could a person not respect him. After reading this I am thinking how we dwell on mistakes and past happenings, that get us stuck in life. He had tings happen made mistakes, but learned and went forward. The last paragraph in the book he sums his life up. He gives credit to people that made a difference in his life. I can say I would like to meet him, just tell him he is inspiring. Thank you Jimmy Carter for writing this book sharing your story.
January 11, 2020
As is the case for most like-minded people these days, I long for the days when the news cycle was taken over by US Presidents who weren't a constant source of bitter disappointments, anger cycling with rage and frutstration, and complete bewilderment. As a Canadian, I've never paid as close attention to US politics as an American would, naturally, but again, thanks to that news cycle, was always more knowledgeable than I ever needed or wanted to be, about the goings on of current administrations.
I was just a wee girl when President Jimmy Carter was voted in, but I remember his presidency quite vividly. Possibly because by the age of nine or ten, I was old enough to notice the headlines in the newspapers, and had acquired enough common sense and basic understanding of the world to appreciate some of what he and his administration were doing. Also, I lived in Israel between 1979 and 1982. Carter's successful negotiations for a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel was eventually followed by the assassination of Anwar Sadat. My mother and I had planned a visit to Egypt that October, which we had to promptly cancel because of the danger posed to tourists by the following civil and administrative unrest. This brought home the enormity of what was at stake in those peace talks, and what a huge gamble Sadat had taken upon agreeing to this treaty.
I was also physically closer to Iran and the hostage situation which got daily and seemingly wall-to-wall coverage in all the newspapers my mother brought home (there were many, in three languages). And finally, following the peace talks, there began the immediate construction of the Camp David air force base in the southwest of Israel, as they were ceding territories to Egypt. My mother was hired by the American Air Force in an administrative position, and these are memorable times of coming into close contact with a large tribe of expatriated Americans and their children (and teens). I got an earful and then some about the outgoing and incoming administrations whenever my mother visited with some work relations. In a very real sense, Carter's presidency has had a personal impact on my life, which is something I'm just now, as I'm writing this, fully realizing. And I'm not even American.
Wow.
Much later, in my 30s, I was seeing someone who had aspirations of becoming a diplomat, and as a diplomat's son who was also incredibly bright and studious, his ambitions did not seem to overreach his capabilities. After graduating from his most recent university degree, he told me of his summer work with the Jimmy Carter foundation and Habitat for Humanity, of which I had not known before (this would be in the early 2Ks). This further strengthened my early respect and admiration for Jimmy Carter as a proponent for peace and justice.
And then... well, the current presidential disaster happened. And Carter shone more brightly than ever to me whenever he came up, and seemed like the gentle and oh-so wise grandfather we'd all wish to have. A model of decency and common sense and just plain salt of the earth GOODNESS we're all starving for nowadays, with the world gone mad, civility gone to outer space, and all notions of fairness and regard for truth and fact depending on what the latest demented tweets might reveal.
I'd been meaning to read this book since 2015, but my book pile being what it is and many temptations along the way had me put it off. And then Carter was back in the news in October, after he'd had his mishap and injured himself during one of his Habitat for Humanity projects and made that pronouncement about Drumpf and the imminent impeachment: "My advice is to tell the truth… for a change." Because of this, and countless personal reasons I am only now beginning to process, I felt I wanted to start the year listening to Jimmy Carter and that old old old familiar southern twang, and a man I'd so long respected for his wisdom in prioritizing the truly important things in life.
The book itself covers a wide array of topics many, but not all of which have to do with his time in the White House, as might be expected given the title. It was interesting to revisit those times and get the other side of the story of all those news pieces I'd seen so long ago, directly from the horses mouth, as it were. There were no huge surprises, but one thing did stand out to me as being rather disturbing. I am not a religious person, nor was I given a religion at birth given both my parents were non practicing, one Catholic and the other Jewish (as must be evident by now). Carter is a devout Baptist Christian man, and many of his convictions come from his faith and spirituality, and I would call him a real Christian, as opposed to all those "new evangelicals" we used to call "born agains" when speaking to the American Air Force men and their wives. He stands by his convictions and his faith and tries to do good in the world. However, one pernicious thing about most religions, and Christianity in particular, is the need and irresistible drive of believers to proselytize. When he talks about his negotiations with Deng Xiaoping, he is very proud to recount how he convinced the Chinese communist regime to allow for the practice of religion, and that due to his policy agreements, the number of Chinese Christians has vastly increased. While there were only four million Christians in China before 1949, there are approximately 31 million Christians in China today. This isn't to say that I have anything against Christianity per-se. However, battles among religious groups and factions are among the predominant causes of violence and oppression in the world, and as a spiritual but decidedly non-religious person, I think making more converts to religion is a case of good intentions paving the road to... lots and lots of conflicts down the line.
Altogether, it was a very satisfying read, and while the other book I finished just some hours ago was badly timed for me, this one proved to be just what I needed right now. In times of deranged capitalism on steroids and constant anxiety, there is nothing like listening to a voice of calm reason and deeply held moral values which ultimately benefit the good of all.
There's also this Ted talk, which has got to be among my favourites: https://www.ted.com/talks/jimmy_carte...
I was just a wee girl when President Jimmy Carter was voted in, but I remember his presidency quite vividly. Possibly because by the age of nine or ten, I was old enough to notice the headlines in the newspapers, and had acquired enough common sense and basic understanding of the world to appreciate some of what he and his administration were doing. Also, I lived in Israel between 1979 and 1982. Carter's successful negotiations for a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel was eventually followed by the assassination of Anwar Sadat. My mother and I had planned a visit to Egypt that October, which we had to promptly cancel because of the danger posed to tourists by the following civil and administrative unrest. This brought home the enormity of what was at stake in those peace talks, and what a huge gamble Sadat had taken upon agreeing to this treaty.
I was also physically closer to Iran and the hostage situation which got daily and seemingly wall-to-wall coverage in all the newspapers my mother brought home (there were many, in three languages). And finally, following the peace talks, there began the immediate construction of the Camp David air force base in the southwest of Israel, as they were ceding territories to Egypt. My mother was hired by the American Air Force in an administrative position, and these are memorable times of coming into close contact with a large tribe of expatriated Americans and their children (and teens). I got an earful and then some about the outgoing and incoming administrations whenever my mother visited with some work relations. In a very real sense, Carter's presidency has had a personal impact on my life, which is something I'm just now, as I'm writing this, fully realizing. And I'm not even American.
Wow.
Much later, in my 30s, I was seeing someone who had aspirations of becoming a diplomat, and as a diplomat's son who was also incredibly bright and studious, his ambitions did not seem to overreach his capabilities. After graduating from his most recent university degree, he told me of his summer work with the Jimmy Carter foundation and Habitat for Humanity, of which I had not known before (this would be in the early 2Ks). This further strengthened my early respect and admiration for Jimmy Carter as a proponent for peace and justice.
And then... well, the current presidential disaster happened. And Carter shone more brightly than ever to me whenever he came up, and seemed like the gentle and oh-so wise grandfather we'd all wish to have. A model of decency and common sense and just plain salt of the earth GOODNESS we're all starving for nowadays, with the world gone mad, civility gone to outer space, and all notions of fairness and regard for truth and fact depending on what the latest demented tweets might reveal.
I'd been meaning to read this book since 2015, but my book pile being what it is and many temptations along the way had me put it off. And then Carter was back in the news in October, after he'd had his mishap and injured himself during one of his Habitat for Humanity projects and made that pronouncement about Drumpf and the imminent impeachment: "My advice is to tell the truth… for a change." Because of this, and countless personal reasons I am only now beginning to process, I felt I wanted to start the year listening to Jimmy Carter and that old old old familiar southern twang, and a man I'd so long respected for his wisdom in prioritizing the truly important things in life.
The book itself covers a wide array of topics many, but not all of which have to do with his time in the White House, as might be expected given the title. It was interesting to revisit those times and get the other side of the story of all those news pieces I'd seen so long ago, directly from the horses mouth, as it were. There were no huge surprises, but one thing did stand out to me as being rather disturbing. I am not a religious person, nor was I given a religion at birth given both my parents were non practicing, one Catholic and the other Jewish (as must be evident by now). Carter is a devout Baptist Christian man, and many of his convictions come from his faith and spirituality, and I would call him a real Christian, as opposed to all those "new evangelicals" we used to call "born agains" when speaking to the American Air Force men and their wives. He stands by his convictions and his faith and tries to do good in the world. However, one pernicious thing about most religions, and Christianity in particular, is the need and irresistible drive of believers to proselytize. When he talks about his negotiations with Deng Xiaoping, he is very proud to recount how he convinced the Chinese communist regime to allow for the practice of religion, and that due to his policy agreements, the number of Chinese Christians has vastly increased. While there were only four million Christians in China before 1949, there are approximately 31 million Christians in China today. This isn't to say that I have anything against Christianity per-se. However, battles among religious groups and factions are among the predominant causes of violence and oppression in the world, and as a spiritual but decidedly non-religious person, I think making more converts to religion is a case of good intentions paving the road to... lots and lots of conflicts down the line.
Altogether, it was a very satisfying read, and while the other book I finished just some hours ago was badly timed for me, this one proved to be just what I needed right now. In times of deranged capitalism on steroids and constant anxiety, there is nothing like listening to a voice of calm reason and deeply held moral values which ultimately benefit the good of all.
There's also this Ted talk, which has got to be among my favourites: https://www.ted.com/talks/jimmy_carte...
January 26, 2018
I'm parched. This was so dry.
August 5, 2015
The Carter perspective on his life and the country that he helped shape
While his presidency is generally ranked in the higher twenties among the 43 presidents that have completed their term, (1 is the best), it is hard to argue that any of them approach what Carter has done since leaving office. Granted that he has been blessed with good health in body and mind, but his list of accomplishments is enormous and still growing.
This book is exactly what the title states, a series of brief reflections on various events and people in his life. He goes back to his childhood and what life was like in rural Georgia at that time. It was a time when segregation was just the way things were, he pulls no punches about his father’s views on white superiority. Yet, unlike so many other whites, his father insisted on demonstrating his superiority, he always dealt fairly with all people, paying what was decent wages for the time.
Carter describes his life in the Navy and his decision to leave it and take over the family business. At times he struggled to pay the bills, but he credits this with instilling in him a level of understanding of what it means to struggle financially.
Quite naturally, Carter defends his legacy as president and he did accomplish some major changes, none greater than the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. It is a treaty that has remained intact and more than anything else has guaranteed the survival of Israel, for as long as Egypt is not involved, the Arab countries cannot defeat Israel militarily.
Although it is like all memoirs of political figures that have been severely criticized in the sense that Carter is defending himself, this is a very good book. It gives us the Carter perspective of the profound changes that took place in the south during his life and on the legacy of what he did before, during and after his presidency. In many ways, it was white men in power like Carter that made desegregation work in the south, it may have been imposed by the federal government, but they are the ones that implemented it.
This book was made available for free for review purposes and this review also appears on Amazon.
While his presidency is generally ranked in the higher twenties among the 43 presidents that have completed their term, (1 is the best), it is hard to argue that any of them approach what Carter has done since leaving office. Granted that he has been blessed with good health in body and mind, but his list of accomplishments is enormous and still growing.
This book is exactly what the title states, a series of brief reflections on various events and people in his life. He goes back to his childhood and what life was like in rural Georgia at that time. It was a time when segregation was just the way things were, he pulls no punches about his father’s views on white superiority. Yet, unlike so many other whites, his father insisted on demonstrating his superiority, he always dealt fairly with all people, paying what was decent wages for the time.
Carter describes his life in the Navy and his decision to leave it and take over the family business. At times he struggled to pay the bills, but he credits this with instilling in him a level of understanding of what it means to struggle financially.
Quite naturally, Carter defends his legacy as president and he did accomplish some major changes, none greater than the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. It is a treaty that has remained intact and more than anything else has guaranteed the survival of Israel, for as long as Egypt is not involved, the Arab countries cannot defeat Israel militarily.
Although it is like all memoirs of political figures that have been severely criticized in the sense that Carter is defending himself, this is a very good book. It gives us the Carter perspective of the profound changes that took place in the south during his life and on the legacy of what he did before, during and after his presidency. In many ways, it was white men in power like Carter that made desegregation work in the south, it may have been imposed by the federal government, but they are the ones that implemented it.
This book was made available for free for review purposes and this review also appears on Amazon.
October 20, 2015
(DNF @ 26%) I admire Carter for his philanthropic work and think he’s probably an underappreciated president. He’s published quite a number of political and autobiographical titles now. This one, issued for his 90th birthday, is composed of short vignettes starting with his growing-up years in Plains, Georgia. Many people might not realize that, like Winston Churchill, Carter also paints and writes poetry. There are examples of his artwork and verse here, and you know what? They’re not half bad.
I got up through Carter’s Navy years and found the writing just a bit too sleepy to keep going; I haven’t looked at the e-book in months so will probably consider it tabled for now. If you want a pleasant, downbeat introduction to Carter’s life, this would be a great choice. What with his recent cancer diagnosis, we might not have this elder statesman around too much longer, and his stories are worth hearing.
I got up through Carter’s Navy years and found the writing just a bit too sleepy to keep going; I haven’t looked at the e-book in months so will probably consider it tabled for now. If you want a pleasant, downbeat introduction to Carter’s life, this would be a great choice. What with his recent cancer diagnosis, we might not have this elder statesman around too much longer, and his stories are worth hearing.
September 8, 2015
I never voted for Jimmy Carter. When he first ran for President, I had supported Gerald Ford because I had thought Ford made the tough calls in one of the worst time ever. I voted for Ronald Reagan because I knew people weren't better off than they had been four years before.
Yet, I don't think anyone has been a better ex-President than Jimmy Carter. He left the Presidency at such a young age. He has done so much with his life since then.
This book is his effort at this late date, to re-tell his own story. It is a good one.
With the recent acknowledgement by Carter that he is fighting cancer, I hope this isn't his last book. It is worth the read!
Yet, I don't think anyone has been a better ex-President than Jimmy Carter. He left the Presidency at such a young age. He has done so much with his life since then.
This book is his effort at this late date, to re-tell his own story. It is a good one.
With the recent acknowledgement by Carter that he is fighting cancer, I hope this isn't his last book. It is worth the read!
February 12, 2021
President Carter is a man at peace. He is at peace with himself. Such peace comes from assessing oneself, building on what can, and accepting what cannot be changed. In A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety, the assessment is laid out clearly from origins to career decisions, to political life, to service that only a former president can do, to social organization participation, and finally his later years.
I have long admired Jimmy Carter's commitment to peace in the Middle East/in the Holy Land. Carter calls it the Holy Land. What a privledge, honor, and labor to bring forth peace for a time between groups that rarely have come to an accord.
I am glad to have read this, likely his last book.
I stand in mountain pose, bring my hands to my heart center, look into my heart, bow, and say "Namaste."
I have long admired Jimmy Carter's commitment to peace in the Middle East/in the Holy Land. Carter calls it the Holy Land. What a privledge, honor, and labor to bring forth peace for a time between groups that rarely have come to an accord.
I am glad to have read this, likely his last book.
I stand in mountain pose, bring my hands to my heart center, look into my heart, bow, and say "Namaste."
May 19, 2021
Recent memoir by former POTUS Carter. Overall this was a good read. It had a little personal touch with stories from his childhood and non-political life as well as a breakdown of events pertaining to his time as governor, then president, and finally his political life after his presidency ended.
My favorite part was about his childhood and what life was like for him growing up in Georgia in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Could you imagine a 5 year old today going out and harvesting, processing, packaging then delivering peanuts? Or a young teen purchasing and maintaining multiple renters? No way! You can't even get them to put down the tablets to play outside. And, yes, I know that his family was privileged compared to the 'renters' on his father's land but that only speaks to my point--imagine how much hard work those 5-year-olds did!
He reviews his time in the Navy. For me this would have been a section to skim over bc I wasn't in the right mood for it when it came...I was hooked with the childhood stories and the tone got abruptly serious.
Then his time in Georgia politics which led to Washington which led to what most people know him for, The Presidency. The politics he describes in Georgia that he was up against was amazing to me. That could never go on today (hopefully), but it does shed some light on how the voting process could be so corrupt as to need the Civil Rights Act even though the right to vote was already technically established. He reviews the events of his presidential term and there was more to it than I realized (being a millennial this was not part of my living memory). He really seems to see this as just a starting-off point for the work he would do after leaving Pennsylvania Avenue. His love for his Carter Center really comes through the page when he recounts some of the actions with it. In the diplomatic tone that must be second-nature to him there are still a surprising number of jabs made at political rivals. Mostly republicans but some democrats too! Toward the end he sounded to me like the elderly man who is tired of holding his tongue and has earned the right to say how he really feels (again, insofar as a politician can do this).
Even the politics I didn't agree with I found to be refreshing. He wasn't unnecessarily harsh or taking cheap shots at anybody. He made informed decisions and didn't rely on someone else's metrics to measure himself. He may have only had one term because of this, but it is what allows him to keep his self-respect. Like other political takes I've read recently the politics of a generation (or two) ago seem so distant and so much less abrasive than what is happening with US politics today. Maybe they were just as heavy at the time, but I really doubt it.
I have not read any of his other works. I was not aware he is an avid painter, woodworker and (apparently with 20+ books) writer. I was only really aware that he was a president in the 70s and a democrat from the south.
I would recommend this book to anyone who, like me, doesn't know much about him or only knows about one 'era' of his life. There's a nice mix of personal memoir-type stories and serious political discussion (both historical and contemporary). There's a comprehensive index but not much in the way of footnotes or citations for further reading (other than a few of his own books he explains in certain sections). I gave it 4 stars overall but as far as autobiographies and memoirs go, it's a solid 5.
"It happened that peanuts began to ripen soon after school days ended each summer, and beginning when I was five years old I would go out into the nearby fields each afternoon and pull up the plants, shake the dirt from around the nuts, and haul a load to our yard in a little wagon."
" "I reckon that boy's enjoying his books while the rest of us go into the field." I got up in a few minutes, went into the backyard, and used my belt to tie the palm of my had, fingers up, tightly onto a fence post. Then I raised my arm, bending my wrist more and more until the pus-enclosed piece of stick [that had infected my arm and kept me from working] popped out of the sore. Mama wrapped it in a bandage, and I ran to the field to be with my daddy."
In school woodworking: "My most challenging project, on which I received my final grade, was a scale model of the White House!"
"I respected Ford very much, for his integrity and his encyclopedic knowledge of the federal government."
"Rosalynn had decided to wear the same evening gown that she had worn for my inaugural ball as governor. She was criticized by the news media..I approved her choice and was very proud..."
"I assume that all my communications are monitored by government agencies. When I want to send a private message...I use a personal envoy or type a letter..."
January 16, 2016
I can't say enough about this book. I have always respected and loved the contributions Jimmy Carter has made so perhaps I'm a little biased. When my family arrived in the United States in 1979, Jimmy Carter was at the end of his term as President. I remember my dad telling me and my siblings (ranging from ages 6-11) that Jimmy Carter was perhaps considered not a great President by some but he was a great man and would do many things for democracy and advocacy for human rights. He would often tell us that Jimmy Carter would be one of those people who would secure a place in history not from the things he said but the action he took. My father passed away in 2001 but I know were he alive today, he would have enjoyed this book thoroughly. Jimmy Carter came from very humble beginnings. He was raised in the racist South during a time when race-relations were based on the notion that Blacks and Whites were best to be separate and that Whites were superior. However, Carter was raised in a home where although his father was a segregationist, he also felt strongly about the equal respectful treatment of ALL people regardless of race. Therefore, Carter was raised with, played with and worked side-by-side with Blacks during all of his formative years. This experience gave him a very caring and understanding view on the differences and above all, similarities of people. Also, this formed his view on politics and reform in the South. He went to College and then the Navy where he served with great success and accomplishment. The books addresses his view on race-relations based on his political and personal (spiritually and day-to-day) experiences and relationships. His admiration and respect for his wife is refreshing and so admirable. This was the last book I read in 2015 and I felt it set such a positive note on ending the year and started 2016 on a positive tone. Although Jimmy Carter is a well-known member of the Democratic party, I would discourage you from going into this book assuming that he is pushing some kind of partisan agenda, as he is most definitely not. It is simply his recollection of 90 years in his very eventful life.
October 8, 2015
I love this guy. He is authentic. It is a mystery to me that all the religious voters choose demons from hell to rally behind, and denounce Carter due to economic conditions in the post-war/Nixon/Ford era of the late 70's. I can't imagine a more humitarian, down-to-earth, peace-loving man ever entering the office of POTUS again - deeply sad.
I loved reading about his life, and must say I am incredibly jealous that he has led such a FULL LIFE, and enjoyed every minute of it. I love that a man who grew up playing with the children of sharecroppers, was taught the blacksmith trade by his father, excelled in the Navy's nuclear submarine program, reinvented himself as an agrarian business leader....would THEN have the energy to pursue a political career based on human rights and advance it to the top office in the nation - and those were only his first 55 years! He made such tight personal and diplomatic bonds with world leaders, but could also be found painting, writing, whitewater rafting, and building his own furniture. Just running the Carter Foundation (Waging Peace, Fighting Disease) and sponsoring Habitat For Humanity housing construction would be too much for most humans!
The stories of his years in office, Camp David meetings, and relationship with Rosalyn are so entertaining. He is quite a character!
This book illustrates a man who found enjoyment in everything he did, and always strove to improve the lives of others, while leading a rather humble lifestyle himself. One might say he actually "walked the walk and talked the talk".
Does your candidate?
I loved reading about his life, and must say I am incredibly jealous that he has led such a FULL LIFE, and enjoyed every minute of it. I love that a man who grew up playing with the children of sharecroppers, was taught the blacksmith trade by his father, excelled in the Navy's nuclear submarine program, reinvented himself as an agrarian business leader....would THEN have the energy to pursue a political career based on human rights and advance it to the top office in the nation - and those were only his first 55 years! He made such tight personal and diplomatic bonds with world leaders, but could also be found painting, writing, whitewater rafting, and building his own furniture. Just running the Carter Foundation (Waging Peace, Fighting Disease) and sponsoring Habitat For Humanity housing construction would be too much for most humans!
The stories of his years in office, Camp David meetings, and relationship with Rosalyn are so entertaining. He is quite a character!
This book illustrates a man who found enjoyment in everything he did, and always strove to improve the lives of others, while leading a rather humble lifestyle himself. One might say he actually "walked the walk and talked the talk".
Does your candidate?
May 16, 2021
Ummm, no I'm sorry, but this book, isn't for me, despite me being a solid life long Democrat, even if I'm one with a bit of a Libertarian streak.
You know how when you read academic documents, they often start with an abstract, that acts as a synopsis for the article that follows? That's probably the best way to describe this book. It acts as a synopsis of Carter's life, but doesn't have the following article that follows. For that, you'd need to hunt through the other books Carter has written, and that's my biggest problem with this book. I shouldn't have to hunt this hard to have the follow-up. Don't get me wrong, it covers his life, it's just a bit of a breezy overview.
An other grumble relates to the old Garrison Keillor's description of Lake Wobegon (all the women are strong, men good looking, and children above average). That could almost be used to describe Carter's life. Given the work he's done ending conflicts, I have difficulty squaring his rose tinted spectacles with what he must have seen in his life, and that lessens the book for me.
My other grumble is how he sees other people. He sort of sets himself up as the "Great I Am", but derides other people. Being English by birth, the one that stands out is his description of the British in Zimbabwe/Rhodesia, where he makes out the final resolution of the independence issue was pretty much down to him, which felt weird, as I have no recollection of the Americans being involved.
So all in all, my instinct is "Ummm, no", but if you want a brief and breezy overview of Carter's life, you might like it.
You know how when you read academic documents, they often start with an abstract, that acts as a synopsis for the article that follows? That's probably the best way to describe this book. It acts as a synopsis of Carter's life, but doesn't have the following article that follows. For that, you'd need to hunt through the other books Carter has written, and that's my biggest problem with this book. I shouldn't have to hunt this hard to have the follow-up. Don't get me wrong, it covers his life, it's just a bit of a breezy overview.
An other grumble relates to the old Garrison Keillor's description of Lake Wobegon (all the women are strong, men good looking, and children above average). That could almost be used to describe Carter's life. Given the work he's done ending conflicts, I have difficulty squaring his rose tinted spectacles with what he must have seen in his life, and that lessens the book for me.
My other grumble is how he sees other people. He sort of sets himself up as the "Great I Am", but derides other people. Being English by birth, the one that stands out is his description of the British in Zimbabwe/Rhodesia, where he makes out the final resolution of the independence issue was pretty much down to him, which felt weird, as I have no recollection of the Americans being involved.
So all in all, my instinct is "Ummm, no", but if you want a brief and breezy overview of Carter's life, you might like it.
August 10, 2016
Former US President reflects on his life and on a wide-range of issues including the recent changes in the South, the shooting tragedy in Charleston, the Middle East and the Iranian hostage crisis, and writes that the US is in a state of decline of influence. What I like most about the book is his honesty, open admission of his mistakes, and how he owned them up. President Carter said that he's comfortable with all the decisions he made as President irrespective of their outcome. Frank, honest and insightful, this memoir covers an important chapter in the history of United States and deserves to be in the hands of all serious students of history. I enjoyed his poetry and his paintings.
If you are interested in seeing the interview of Judy Woodruff with Jimmy Carter -- http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/former...
If you are interested in seeing the interview of Judy Woodruff with Jimmy Carter -- http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/former...
August 21, 2015
This was everything I wanted it to be. Carter has written many books, most on specific beliefs, issues he faced during his presidency etc, but in this book readers get a broad survey of his life. I think any reader interested in presidents, history, or the man himself will want to start here instead of with any of his earlier books.
The audiobook is read by the author, which I really enjoyed, and the writing makes for easy reading/listening. The text isn't weighed down by public service jargon so even if a reader weren't as well versed in politics, they'd walk away from reading this book with a solid understanding of what the U.S. looked/felt like during the Carter administration, the issues he faced, how he dealt with them, and what he thinks looking back on it all.
Well done.
The audiobook is read by the author, which I really enjoyed, and the writing makes for easy reading/listening. The text isn't weighed down by public service jargon so even if a reader weren't as well versed in politics, they'd walk away from reading this book with a solid understanding of what the U.S. looked/felt like during the Carter administration, the issues he faced, how he dealt with them, and what he thinks looking back on it all.
Well done.
August 29, 2015
Carter's presidency will always be marked by the hostage crisis. However, his life has contained so much more.
December 3, 2023
James Earl Carter, Jr., was the 39th President of the United States from 1977-1981. He succeeded Gerald Ford, who took over after Richard Nixon resigned in the midst his tumultuous second term. Carter, in turn, was overwhelmingly defeated in his bid for re-election by Ronald Reagan. This autobiography, however, is much more than an account of Mr. Carter’s presidency. He recounts his days as a youngster, as a student, as a naval man, a state senator, Georgia governor, and his post-presidential accomplishments. He also relates some personal memories of his wife Rosalyn.
No matter what you thought of Jimmy Carter, the politician, it would be hard to dislike Carter, the man, I think. Carter narrates the audio book, which, in my opinion, drags in part due to the extensive details he provides. He goes into great lengths to describe the work on the peanut farm where he grew up and took over when his father became ill. He and Rosalyn took it over after his father died. In fact, Jimmy decided to quit the Navy without discussing his wife, which caused her to be quite upset, something he deeply regretted. He also talks at length about the naval submarine and Navy life, much more than I cared to hear.
I was interested in his political achievements, however. I did not realize, for example, that he thought first election for office was decided fraudulently. He challenged the outcome and won. He describes his accomplishments as governor of Georgia and was especially proud of his efforts in the areas of education and civil rights. He carried these interests into the Presidential campaign, where he was basically a nobody. I remember voting against him, thinking he was too inexperienced. The second time around I voted for him; despite the energy crisis, which was brought on by unrest in the middle east and the unfortunate capture of Americans by supporters the Ayatollah Khomeini, which proved to be his undoing. The feather in his cap, however, for which he could always be proud, was the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, for which Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978, which Carter helped broker at Camp David. Carter’s prize came in 2002 when he served as a negotiator on behalf of President George W. Bush between the US and Iran and for decades of working for peace, human rights, and social welfare.
After losing re-election, Carter says that his wife took it worse than he did. They returned home to Plains, Georgia, but he didn’t just sit down and write his memoirs. He stayed active in social justice. His famous work with Habitat for Humanity came about later, but he was always busy meeting on behalf of Presidents or others to find peaceful solutions to problems, monitor elections, and of also teach Sunday school. A devout Christian, Carter says he had to balance his beliefs as a Christian with his duties as a person sworn to uphold the Constitution. This book was written at the age of 90, but I believe that he continued to teach Sunday school even longer.
It was strange to be in the midst of this book as Rosalyn entered hospice then died. I wonder how much longer Mr. Carter will last. I’m sure he is ready, even anxious to go. It seems to me that his is indeed a life well lived.
3.5 stars
No matter what you thought of Jimmy Carter, the politician, it would be hard to dislike Carter, the man, I think. Carter narrates the audio book, which, in my opinion, drags in part due to the extensive details he provides. He goes into great lengths to describe the work on the peanut farm where he grew up and took over when his father became ill. He and Rosalyn took it over after his father died. In fact, Jimmy decided to quit the Navy without discussing his wife, which caused her to be quite upset, something he deeply regretted. He also talks at length about the naval submarine and Navy life, much more than I cared to hear.
I was interested in his political achievements, however. I did not realize, for example, that he thought first election for office was decided fraudulently. He challenged the outcome and won. He describes his accomplishments as governor of Georgia and was especially proud of his efforts in the areas of education and civil rights. He carried these interests into the Presidential campaign, where he was basically a nobody. I remember voting against him, thinking he was too inexperienced. The second time around I voted for him; despite the energy crisis, which was brought on by unrest in the middle east and the unfortunate capture of Americans by supporters the Ayatollah Khomeini, which proved to be his undoing. The feather in his cap, however, for which he could always be proud, was the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, for which Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978, which Carter helped broker at Camp David. Carter’s prize came in 2002 when he served as a negotiator on behalf of President George W. Bush between the US and Iran and for decades of working for peace, human rights, and social welfare.
After losing re-election, Carter says that his wife took it worse than he did. They returned home to Plains, Georgia, but he didn’t just sit down and write his memoirs. He stayed active in social justice. His famous work with Habitat for Humanity came about later, but he was always busy meeting on behalf of Presidents or others to find peaceful solutions to problems, monitor elections, and of also teach Sunday school. A devout Christian, Carter says he had to balance his beliefs as a Christian with his duties as a person sworn to uphold the Constitution. This book was written at the age of 90, but I believe that he continued to teach Sunday school even longer.
It was strange to be in the midst of this book as Rosalyn entered hospice then died. I wonder how much longer Mr. Carter will last. I’m sure he is ready, even anxious to go. It seems to me that his is indeed a life well lived.
3.5 stars
January 27, 2023
I enjoyed this book! What a remarkable life Jimmy Carter has led. This book is really concise, which is a nice change of pace for the genre of presidential books (he does have a longer memoir though). He basically writes 1-2 page vignettes about major stories.
A lot of the stories are entertaining because he is so old fashioned. It is crazy how he grew up on a farm with no electricity and eventually became the most powerful person in the world. Also he has done so much good in the world after his presidency. I like Jimmy Carter even though Mr Trump is MY GUY. Thank you #45
A lot of the stories are entertaining because he is so old fashioned. It is crazy how he grew up on a farm with no electricity and eventually became the most powerful person in the world. Also he has done so much good in the world after his presidency. I like Jimmy Carter even though Mr Trump is MY GUY. Thank you #45
February 1, 2022
Enjoyable read, lots of good memories of Carter as president, and you get all the details here.
November 25, 2019
Jimmy Carter is a saint.
I don't care how you feel about his politics. And I don't care how you feel about his evangelicalism.
Jimmy Carter is a good, good man.
He served under some pretty tough circumstances that he may or may not have poorly handled. But in every situation, I believe, he sought to do the right thing for the right reason. The United States has had some men who were successful presidents, but I doubt that there were any in the 20th Century who were as pure in heart as was Jimmy Carter.
Have I extolled him enough yet?
This autobiography, while not compelling, is insightful. He lays out each of his accomplishments in a matter-of-fact way—never with bragging or embellishing—knowing that, when they were good, they were good and he was proud of them. When speaking about his failures, you get the sense that he did everything he could to turn them around, and his humility allows him to swallow them down and move on.
Perhaps he wasn't liked because he wore his Christianity on his sleeve. It's who he was. He carried his missionary work into the cabinet meetings, the diplomacy table, and, later, into building homes. He was completely nonjudgemental of the simple father with the beer who opens his home to hear the gospel, and to the villainous despot who opens his heart to the idea of peace. He said that he felt like his life was "in the hands of God."
He speaks candidly about his relationships—with his father, Roselyn, Ted Kennedy, Barack Obama—he speaks honestly about race and civil rights, and he offers insights into major historical events of his time: one of my favorites was his struggles with Menachem Begin at Camp David and, after saying a prayer and putting on his best suit, he approached an ill-tempered Begin with the question "what can I do for you?" to which Begin requested some signed photos of the historical event to take back to his grandchildren. Carter personalized each one, touched Begin's heart, and changed the course of events. His natural inclination was always to smooth out relationships and invite the insights and help from others.
He followed the lesson he learned from his missionary companion: "You only have to have two loves in your life: for God, and for the person in front of you at any particular time." Using this as his motto, he was able to walk with both royalty and the common man. He built houses for the poor and peace centers for the powerful.
* A few notes:
Had it not been for the competitive jealousy of Ted Kennedy, the country would already have universal health care implemented by Carter back in 1979.
Jimmy Carter installed 36 solar panels at the White House, but they were removed by Ronald Reagan. (This seems petty and without any foresight.)
I don't care how you feel about his politics. And I don't care how you feel about his evangelicalism.
Jimmy Carter is a good, good man.
He served under some pretty tough circumstances that he may or may not have poorly handled. But in every situation, I believe, he sought to do the right thing for the right reason. The United States has had some men who were successful presidents, but I doubt that there were any in the 20th Century who were as pure in heart as was Jimmy Carter.
Have I extolled him enough yet?
This autobiography, while not compelling, is insightful. He lays out each of his accomplishments in a matter-of-fact way—never with bragging or embellishing—knowing that, when they were good, they were good and he was proud of them. When speaking about his failures, you get the sense that he did everything he could to turn them around, and his humility allows him to swallow them down and move on.
Perhaps he wasn't liked because he wore his Christianity on his sleeve. It's who he was. He carried his missionary work into the cabinet meetings, the diplomacy table, and, later, into building homes. He was completely nonjudgemental of the simple father with the beer who opens his home to hear the gospel, and to the villainous despot who opens his heart to the idea of peace. He said that he felt like his life was "in the hands of God."
He speaks candidly about his relationships—with his father, Roselyn, Ted Kennedy, Barack Obama—he speaks honestly about race and civil rights, and he offers insights into major historical events of his time: one of my favorites was his struggles with Menachem Begin at Camp David and, after saying a prayer and putting on his best suit, he approached an ill-tempered Begin with the question "what can I do for you?" to which Begin requested some signed photos of the historical event to take back to his grandchildren. Carter personalized each one, touched Begin's heart, and changed the course of events. His natural inclination was always to smooth out relationships and invite the insights and help from others.
He followed the lesson he learned from his missionary companion: "You only have to have two loves in your life: for God, and for the person in front of you at any particular time." Using this as his motto, he was able to walk with both royalty and the common man. He built houses for the poor and peace centers for the powerful.
"...Our government should be known to be opposed to war, dedicated to the resolution of disputes by peaceful means, and whenever possible, eager to accomplish this goal. We should be seen as the unswerving champion of human rights, both among our own citizens and within the global community. America should be the focal point around which other nations can rally against threats to equality of our common environment. We should be willing to lead by example in sharing our great wealth with those in need. Our own society should provide equal opportunity for all citizens and assure that they are provided the basic necessities of life. It would be no sacrifice in exemplifying these traits. Instead, our nation's wellbeing would be enhanced by restoring the trust, admiration, and friendship that our nation formerly enjoyed among other peoples."
* A few notes:
Had it not been for the competitive jealousy of Ted Kennedy, the country would already have universal health care implemented by Carter back in 1979.
Jimmy Carter installed 36 solar panels at the White House, but they were removed by Ronald Reagan. (This seems petty and without any foresight.)
April 15, 2024
I'm not going to review Carter's presidency, nor even the book really, just comment on the remarkable man I learned about in A Full Life. He fought for civil rights and equality, was an accomplished submariner, farmer, author, peacemaker, philanthropist, carpenter, teacher, and public servant. He has won the Nobel Peace Prize and been a Pulitzer Prize finalist. He is also a poet and a painter, and examples of both of these appear in the book. As I write this, he is working on building 150 houses across Canada for Habitat for Humanity’s 34th Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project.
President Carter is an intelligent, thoughtful, and honest man, and I wonder if he may not have been considered a great president because he told the truth. He has made his life remarkable, and continues to do so even as he has aged. I couldn't help but be struck and saddened by the differences between President Carter and our current president.
Summer Book Bingo 2017 - Recommended by a family member
President Carter is an intelligent, thoughtful, and honest man, and I wonder if he may not have been considered a great president because he told the truth. He has made his life remarkable, and continues to do so even as he has aged. I couldn't help but be struck and saddened by the differences between President Carter and our current president.
I look back on those four years with peace and satisfaction, knowing that I did my best and had some notable accomplishments. Vice President Mondale summarized our administration by saying, "We told the truth, we obeyed the law, we kept the peace." I would add, "We championed human rights."If only.
My hope is that our leaders will capitalize on our country's most admirable qualities. We need to be a Superpower as a champion of peace, not war; we need to be a Superpower in being a champion of basic human rights, although we're now violating a good many of the basic principles of human rights. We need to be the most generous country in the world; the most dedicated to the essence of democracy and freedom.
I think that we should be a champion of peace, and a champion of human rights, and a champion of democracy, and a champion of freedom, a champion of generosity, a champion of environmental quality. Those things won't cost us anything. They will add the admiration, and support, and I think ultimately the economic benefit to our country.
Summer Book Bingo 2017 - Recommended by a family member
September 17, 2023
This book is such a lovely memoir complete with anecdotes, poems, and pictures reflecting on President Carter's very blessed life. How lucky are we to have a president that has published his story? Meaning, most of our presidents did not write autobiographies, so we have to imagine them as historians found them. He gives us information that he wants us to know. And how lucky are we to have him still with us today? What an accomplished man! He has told us that he felt like his work was far from finished when he left the White House, and the things he has done since then is what he's arguably more famous for. What an incredible life!
Thank you, President and Mrs. Carter, for sharing your stories with us.
Thank you, President and Mrs. Carter, for sharing your stories with us.
February 3, 2017
It is interesting to listen to a book that is actually read by the author as is the case here especially when the authors voice is well known as that of President Carter.
Carter is not a complicated writer. In fact his style of writing and reading is fairly simple. In fact amazingly simple when you realize that this man was the president of the United States for four years. He was in his 50s when he finished his presidential term and was not reelected.
My father was in his 90s when this book came out and I thought he might be interested in reading it since Carter was reflecting back on his 90 years. I don't think Dad ever read the book and neither did I. But I did finally get the Audible version and listen to it after my dad died at 95.
Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalind have been interested in international politics. The Carter Center is involved in disease prevention in many impoverished countries as well as monitoring elections around the world. I think he said he has been in 147 countries. I found the last portion of the book the most interesting as he reviewed his activities in the last couple of decades. A recent book focused on women's issues and he has been involved in Israeli Palestinian matters in a significant way.
Carter is not a complicated writer. In fact his style of writing and reading is fairly simple. In fact amazingly simple when you realize that this man was the president of the United States for four years. He was in his 50s when he finished his presidential term and was not reelected.
My father was in his 90s when this book came out and I thought he might be interested in reading it since Carter was reflecting back on his 90 years. I don't think Dad ever read the book and neither did I. But I did finally get the Audible version and listen to it after my dad died at 95.
Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalind have been interested in international politics. The Carter Center is involved in disease prevention in many impoverished countries as well as monitoring elections around the world. I think he said he has been in 147 countries. I found the last portion of the book the most interesting as he reviewed his activities in the last couple of decades. A recent book focused on women's issues and he has been involved in Israeli Palestinian matters in a significant way.
July 24, 2015
A mini memoir of President Carter's life and a quick read. The second presidential memoir I've read (finished 41 last year written about Bush Sr. by his son), the last three chapters were spent justifying decisions that he made while president. It started off well, but I felt in the end, he was writing about why things didn't work out and describing what things he did did work out.
However, his underlying Christian grace and his continual attempts to grow as a human are wonderful examples which can and should be followed, I think. When a person passes away, we do not remember the job that they did, but rather, we remember the person that they were. In the same way, I enjoyed reading about the man who was the 39th president, but who has done so much since he finished in the White House.
However, his underlying Christian grace and his continual attempts to grow as a human are wonderful examples which can and should be followed, I think. When a person passes away, we do not remember the job that they did, but rather, we remember the person that they were. In the same way, I enjoyed reading about the man who was the 39th president, but who has done so much since he finished in the White House.
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