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Jonathan Alter

His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life Hardcover – Illustrated, September 29, 2020

by Jonathan Alter (Author)

4.7 1,227 ratings

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From one of America’s most respected journalists and modern historians comes the highly acclaimed, “splendid” (The Washington Post)biography of Jimmy Carter, the thirty-ninth president of the United States and Nobel Prize–winning humanitarian.

Jonathan Alter tells the epic story of an enigmatic man of faith and his improbable journey from barefoot boy to global icon. Alter paints an intimate and surprising portrait of the only president since Thomas Jefferson who can fairly be called a Renaissance Man, a complex figure—ridiculed and later revered—with a piercing intelligence, prickly intensity, and biting wit beneath the patented smile. Here is a moral exemplar for our times, a flawed but underrated president of decency and vision who was committed to telling the truth to the American people.

Growing up in one of the meanest counties in the Jim Crow South, Carter is the only American president who essentially lived in three centuries: his early life on the farm in the 1920s without electricity or running water might as well have been in the nineteenth; his presidency put him at the center of major events in the twentieth; and his efforts on conflict resolution and global health set him on the cutting edge of the challenges of the twenty-first.

“One of the best in a celebrated genre of presidential biography,” (The Washington Post), His Very Best traces how Carter evolved from a timid, bookish child—raised mostly by a Black woman farmhand—into an ambitious naval nuclear engineer writing passionate, never-before-published love letters from sea to his wife and full partner, Rosalynn; a peanut farmer and civic leader whose guilt over staying silent during the civil rights movement and not confronting the white terrorism around him helped power his quest for racial justice at home and abroad; an obscure, born-again governor whose brilliant 1976 campaign demolished the racist wing of the Democratic Party and took him from zero percent to the presidency; a stubborn outsider who failed politically amid the bad economy of the 1970s and the seizure of American hostages in Iran but succeeded in engineering peace between Israel and Egypt, amassing a historic environmental record, moving the government from tokenism to diversity, setting a new global standard for human rights and normalizing relations with China among other unheralded and far-sighted achievements. After leaving office, Carter eradicated diseases, built houses for the poor, and taught Sunday school into his mid-nineties.

This “important, fair-minded, highly readable contribution” (The New York Times Book Review) will change our understanding of perhaps the most misunderstood president in American history.

Print length

800 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Simon & Schuster
Publication date

September 29, 2020
Dimensions

6.13 x 1.7 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

1501125486
ISBN-13

978-1501125485
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"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... [Alter's] assessment of Carter the man— disciplined, driven, stubborn, detail-oriented, technocratic, pious— doesn't break radically from that of other historians. But Alter keeps Carter's myriad facets in view throughout, rendering his subject with a depth rarely achieved by political journalism."
— New York Times Book Review

“Splendid... Alter’s account is ably sourced and fluidly written, one of the best in a celebrated genre of presidential biography.”

—The Washington Post

“In this definitive biography, Jonathan Alter provides a wonderfully readable assessment of the character and achievements of our most underrated modern president. It is a deeply personal account, filled with fascinating new information. Carter's story is a needed inspiration in this dark time.”
—Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author of Leonardo da Vinci

“This deeply researched and fluidly written biography is the first truly comprehensive look at our 39th president. Alter illuminates Carter’s character, and explains much about the strengths and weaknesses of the elusive man from Plains. This is a fascinating work.”
—Annette Gordon-Reed, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Hemingses of Monticello

"Jonathan Alter has a gift for beleaguered America— an insightful, uplifting portrait of Jimmy Carter, a former president who never gave up on activating America’s essential goodess." — Tom Brokaw

"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. 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. It's a book that's bound to fascinate anyone with an interest in American history, and an excellent look at the man whom Alter considers, justifiably, "perhaps the most misunderstood president in American history."
— NPR

"Alter is a talented storyteller, and his lively narrative captures Carter’s full arc from Georgia farm to White House and beyond."
— National Book Review

“[S]crupulously researched….provides a candid and often compelling assessment of Carter’s policy successes and failures.”
— Minneapolis Star-Tribune

"Students of recent presidential and world history will find Alter’s anecdotally rich narrative immensely rewarding."
— Kirkus Reviews

"A sweeping, meticulously-researched biography...[His Very Best] is an illuminating and persuasive reevaluation of Carter’s legacy."
—Publishers Weekly

"In unfolding his carefully researched narrative, Alter portrays Carter as far more successful in his labors as chief executive than is generally acknowledged. A balanced and complete portrait."
— Booklist

“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. It's a compelling story of a complicated and brilliant life.”
—Andrew Young, former US Ambassador to the UN, Mayor of Atlanta, and close confidant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Jonathan Alter has painted an important and revealing portrait of Jimmy Carter, an American president who led many different lives. Alter’s memorable book goes a long way toward illuminating the shadows that have long obscured him.”
—Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Soul of America

"Jonathan Alter’s new biography promises to offer a fresh look at a familiar face."
— BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK

"An engrossing story about a truly decent man."
— AARP

About the Author

Jonathan Alter is an award-winning historian, columnist and documentary filmmaker. An MSNBC political analyst and former senior editor at Newsweek, he is the author of three New York Times bestsellers: The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies; The Promise: President Obama, Year One; and The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster; Illustrated edition (September 29, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 800 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1501125486
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1501125485
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.49 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.13 x 1.7 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #76,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #246 in US Presidents
- #427 in Political Leader Biographies
- #735 in U.S. State & Local History

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4.7 1,227 ratings

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Jonathan Alter

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Jonathan Alter (b. 1957, Chicago, Illinois) is a best-selling author, longtime television commentator, award-winning columnist, Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and comedy producer.

Alter is the author of three New York Times bestsellers: "The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope" (2006), named one of the New York Times 100 "Notable Books of the Year"; "The Promise: President Obama, Year One" (2010), which went to number three on the Times bestsellers list; and "The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies" (2013). He is also the author of "Between the Lines: A View Inside American Politics, Media and Culture" (2008), a collection.

A former columnist and senior editor at Newsweek (1983-2011), Alter is a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. In 2019, he co-produced and co-directed "Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists," an HBO documentary, which won the 2020 Emmy for Best Historical Documentary. In 2013-2014, he co-produced, with Garry Trudeau, "Alpha House," an Amazon original comedy series. He lives in Montclair, New Jersey with his wife, Emily Lazar, a producer.

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Excellent

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 27, 2023

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Having lived and experienced the Carter presidency I was not a fan. Upon reading this excellent biography by Alter I realize that my opinion was incorrect. Carter was very intelligent, conservative but yet progressive. He met the challenge of his presidency better than most would have.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 29, 2023

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Carter faced many challenges long before his presidency. Although he lived through times of racism and sexism—and was hardly above it all— his self-awareness and ability to grow showed integrity and depth. In many ways he demonstrated a commitment to Christianity, without projecting superiority or bigotry towards others’ beliefs.
Reading this book made me respect him so much, and to see how he was underestimated as president. His awareness of racism, corruption and even environmental issues contrasts with others’ denials and deceptions.
The book is well written (but lengthy and detailed). But I learned so much and appreciated it.

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Bill Emblom

He's Lived A Full Life

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 1, 2020

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670 pages of text have taken me over one week to complete this massive tomb on the life of former president Jimmy Carter by author Jonathan Alter whose comments I have enjoyed on MSNBC. I found it to be a refresher course to read this book and relive in a vicarious way the events that took place during his administration such as the peace negotiations at Camp David between Menachem Begin of Israel and Anwar Sadat of Egypt and the Iranian hostage crisis.

While he was in the navy President Carter credits Hyman Rickover for pushing Carter to give his absolute best at whatever endeavor he was involved in. Carter's first two years went quite well but the final two years led to his undoing where some viewed him as weak. Carter pardoned draft dodgers who went to Canada rather than serve in the military and also was the first president to give more authority to the vice-president, in his case Walter Mondale.

Carter was adamant in his refusal to allow the Shah of Iran to come to the United States for fear of what would happen to the American embassy in Iran. Finally, if only for much needed surgery the Shah came to America and Carter's worst fears materialized in Iran with the hostage taking running over one year. I believe it was for 444 days. A rescue attempt was made in which Carter said he'd take the blame if it failed and the military could take the credit if it succeeded.

I found it interesting that when Carter left office his presidency was rated in the bottom third whereas in the year 2002 he was ranked in the top third. Carter, like president Truman before him, was appreciated more with the passage of time. Carter also was the first president to recognize the importance of climate change and did more for the environment than any president since Theodore Roosevelt.

President Carter believes the years following his presidency have been the best years of his life. He has assisted in building houses for Habitat for Humanity and assisted in helping the health of lives in the African country of Ghana where individuals have been afflicted with worms in their body as much as two or three feet long in all parts of their body.

Former president Carter has served humanity throughout his life but his personal life has had its difficulties like any other family. He has remained married to his wife Rosalynn since 1946 but some difficulties have developed with their children. Jimmy's brother, Billy, also had some personal problems. Pancreatic cancer appears to have run in the family with smoking being a primary causing a predisposition to the disease.

There were parts of the book that I have to admit skimming over and I don't consider myself a political guru by any means but I found this to be a worthwhile read and a review for me of what took place during his administration from 1976--1980 when Ronald Reagan was elected to succeed him. The book contains two sections of photos with each one totaling eight pages.

11 people found this helpful

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Me in NYC

Don't Need to be a Carter Fan to Appreciate This Book!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 19, 2020

Verified Purchase

I see recommendations here from Jimmy Carter fans. But liking Carter isn’t necessary to like this book. As a fan of U.S. history, especially events that still affect us today, this book gave me information I haven’t seen anywhere else. Background on Israel-Egypt peace, the Iranian hostage case, civil rights in 1950s and 1960s, human rights as an international topic of conversation.
So many interesting details! Example: the mess-ups behind allowing the Shah of Iran into the U.S., without which there may not have been the Embassy hostage situation. Example: the intense resistance to school integration after the 1950s Brown Supreme Court decision. Every inch of the way, even giving used typewriters to a Black school. And Carter mostly dodged integration controversies for years, as he started his political climb. Example: never heard that Habitat for Humanity had its roots in an idealistic black & white (integrated) farm community established a few miles from Carter’s farm in Georgia, an area really not looking to change.
Carter’s accomplishments seem to come from exceptional self-discipline. And values from a different era. Values he got from his family and the Navy, no surprise there. But also, from Rachel Clark, a black illiterate woman who helped manage the family farm and raise Carter, who he says he knew better than his mother.
A small thing, I appreciated the dozen pages or so of photos.
Pretty sure this will be THE book on Carter, not to be superseded, ever. Why? Two reasons. Because the author spent five years on it. And because he was able to do loads of interviews with Carter, family members, and others who won’t be around to give testimony in a few years.
Seven hundred pages took me a while to get through, but I didn’t think “this is too much detail.”
Wonder what Carter thinks of this book? History buffs: get it.

49 people found this helpful

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JPLanthier

ÉDITION DE QUALITÉ DU LIVRE

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on March 12, 2023

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Epifagus

Good writing style and 2020 perspective on Carter

Reviewed in Japan 🇯🇵 on June 10, 2021

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I've been reading biographies of 20th century US presidents, and this is one of the best I've read so far. Jonathan Alter has a fluid writing style that I enjoyed -- only Robert Caro's LBJ and Stephen Ambrose's Nixon were more engaging in my opinion. Alter admires Carter and brings a modern perspective to his presidency, often comparing him to presidents who came after him (including Trump) and mentioning his interactions with young Bill Clinton and Joe Biden. My only criticism is that I accidentally bought the large print edition and it has no index!

Quebec Customer

Great book about an underappreciated US President

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 5, 2021

Verified Purchase

I truly enjoyed reading this book which had an important emphasis on Carter's life before the presidency which really shaped who he was when he eventually assumed the role. I like the fact that the author had a deep appreciation for the long term impact of President Carter (much of it unpredictable) but clearly pointed out his faults as a person, a leader, and a communicator. As I read the book, I felt what I can only describe as the torture that President Carter felt as a deeply committed human being and an engineer who wants to get things done, but who is stymied by the political system in which he worked. I strongly recommend this book.

One person found this helpful

Roy Krahn

A Great President.

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on January 4, 2021

Verified Purchase

Jonathan Alter brings to life a man who was unfairly vilified by the media if the time, as well as his own political party. Alter's account relates to the reader how a man of any means can aspire to the American presidency and attain that goal. He also makes the reader aware of Carter's accomplishments in the White House. America is a better country because of Jimmy Carter. A riveting read.....

Joseph Myren

Awesome

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on March 12, 2021

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Awesome

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