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An Hour Before Daylight: Memories Of A Rural Boyhood Audio CD – Bargain Price, October 31, 2006
Carter writes about the powerful rhythms of countryside and community in a sharecropping economy, offering an unforgettable portrait of his father, a brilliant farmer and a strict segregationist who treated black workers with respect and fairness; his strong-willed and well-read mother; and the five other people who shaped his early life, three of whom were black.
Carter's clean and eloquent prose evokes a time when the cycles of life were predictable and simple and the rules were heartbreaking and complex. In his singular voice and with a novelist's gift for detail, Jimmy Carter creates a sensitive portrait of an era that shaped the nation and recounts a classic, American story of enduring importance.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
- Publication dateOctober 31, 2006
- Dimensions6.4 x 5.08 x 0.95 inches
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Product details
- ASIN : B006QS5PIM
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Audio; Abridged edition (October 31, 2006)
- Language : English
- Item Weight : 5.6 ounces
- Dimensions : 6.4 x 5.08 x 0.95 inches
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

James D. Carter, who is known as Jimmy to his friends, IS NOT THE FORMER PRESIDENT. Jimmy was born in Milwaukee, Wiscosin before the other one ran for office.
He lives in Wisconsin with his best friend and wife Karen. His spiritual journey to maintain sanity progresses one day at a time, it has passed through time as an art teacher, artist, and insurance agent.
The stories that dwell in his head and heart have finally started emerging. The Element is his first novel. His next book, coming out in late 2012 is entitled Dear Mr. Lincoln. It is a historic supernatural/thriller.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the story interesting and poignant. They describe the book as wonderful, enjoyable, and delightful. Readers praise the writing style as beautifully written, masterful, and down-to-earth. They appreciate the detailed look into compelling childhood influences and vivid imagery. Additionally, they describe the author as amazingly honest, genuine, and true.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the memoir interesting, poignant, and informative. They say it provides an insight into a world they never knew. Readers also appreciate the good historical detail without being boring. Additionally, they say the book opens their eyes to the past and brings back sweet memories of time past.
"...This memoir is a poignant journey through the heart and soul of a bygone era, masterfully told by a statesman whose roots run deep in the fertile..." Read more
"...It will open their eyes to the past." Read more
"...I found a lot of it to be rather dry reading, but I still enjoyed the anecdotes and stories that Jimmy Carter wrote about his growing up years...." Read more
"I can’t recommend this book enough! A beautifully written and fascinating autobiography!..." Read more
Customers find the book wonderful, enjoyable, and delightful. They appreciate Carter's specific memories and willingness to help others.
"Why it surprised me that this book was fantastic, I'm not sure since it was recommended by so many people I trust. It's an excellent book...." Read more
"...FOR $3.66! So far I'm 60 pages in and it's a Great Read. I have paid upwards of $80.- for "Certified" signatures in his books...." Read more
"This is a fabulous book. As president, Jimmy Carter was criticized for excessive attention to detail...." Read more
"...Great book. I highly recommend it." Read more
Customers find the writing style beautifully written, masterfully told, personal, and down-to-earth. They also say it's an easy read and a memoir of rural life. Readers also mention the author's reading style is soothing, subtle, and witty.
"...is a poignant journey through the heart and soul of a bygone era, masterfully told by a statesman whose roots run deep in the fertile soil of rural..." Read more
"...It's an excellent book. Honest and nuanced. It's well suited for and I recommend it to teen readers. It will open their eyes to the past." Read more
"I can’t recommend this book enough! A beautifully written and fascinating autobiography!..." Read more
"Very good explanation of the background which determined who and what Jimmy Carter was" Read more
Customers find the book detailed, informative, and rich with vivid imagery. They describe the style as relaxed, approachable, and charming. Readers also mention the delivery style is warm and genteel.
"...Carter's recollections are rich with vivid imagery, capturing the essence of a time when community, hard work, and simple pleasures were the..." Read more
"This memoir from Jimmy Carter was a very deep and intimate look at how our past president was shaped into the man he became later in life...." Read more
"...His delivery style is warm and genteel. I enjoyed reading about his boyhood relationships and how they influenced his character and presidency." Read more
"...The stories are charming, vivid, and interesting. I have read a few other books by Jimmy Carter, but this is by far is best." Read more
Customers find the book amazingly honest, genuine, and true. They appreciate the author's compassion, integrity, and sensitivity. Readers also describe the prose as immaculate and charming. Overall, they say the book is well-written and enjoyable.
"...give it five stars and recommend it to anyone seeking a beautifully crafted journey through the heartland of America." Read more
"...It's an excellent book. Honest and nuanced. It's well suited for and I recommend it to teen readers. It will open their eyes to the past." Read more
"Easy read. Authentic. Really enjoyed it!!" Read more
"...His honesty, integrity and peace-loving nature has made him a light to the world...." Read more
Customers find the book filled with humor. They say it moves quickly and has spots of sorrow throughout.
"...There were spots of sorrow and spots of humor throughout." Read more
"...life of a farm boy was so refreshing, his pros immaculate, and his humor charming...." Read more
"...It moves quickly, is filled with humor and allows the reader to step back into the boyhood of a "leader of the free world." EXCELLENT!!" Read more
"...and now I know what made this intelligent, unassuming, hardworking, humorous, and compassionate public figure the man he is...." Read more
Reviews with images
$3.66 for a SIGNED, good condition book.
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Carter's storytelling is nothing short of extraordinary. With eloquence and a keen eye for detail, he transports readers to the enchanting landscapes of his rural boyhood. From the red clay of Plains, Georgia, to the rustic simplicity of life on the farm, every page is imbued with the nostalgia and warmth of a bygone era.
The narrative unfolds with a gentle rhythm, much like the slow and steady pace of life in rural Georgia. Carter's recollections are rich with vivid imagery, capturing the essence of a time when community, hard work, and simple pleasures were the cornerstones of existence.
What sets this memoir apart is its universal appeal. While rooted in Carter's personal experiences, the themes of family, community, and the indomitable human spirit resonate with readers from all walks of life. It's a testament to the author's ability to distill universal truths from his own unique upbringing.
Carter's portrayal of the characters who shaped his boyhood is deeply moving. His love and respect for his family, friends, and neighbors permeate the narrative, creating a tapestry of humanity that is both heartwarming and profoundly genuine.
Moreover, the memoir offers a glimpse into the formative years of a man who would later become the President of the United States. The seeds of leadership, empathy, and a commitment to justice are sown in the fertile grounds of Plains, providing readers with valuable insights into the origins of a remarkable statesman.
In conclusion, "An Hour Before Daylight" is a literary masterpiece that transports readers to a simpler time and place. Jimmy Carter's memoir is not just a personal account; it's an invitation to share in the universal experiences of childhood, family, and the timeless values that shape the human spirit. I wholeheartedly give it five stars and recommend it to anyone seeking a beautifully crafted journey through the heartland of America.
October 29, 2007
Rating: 4/5 Stars
I've now read several books written by President Jimmy Carter and I've enjoyed them all. What I love about his books is his personal touch he lends to them. AN HOUR BEFORE DAYLIGHT however is the first full memoir that I've read by Jimmy Carter (the other books were books on Faith), and seeing the world of his childhood, depression era Georgia, has been insightful. This childhood he had is what shaped him into the giving person he is today.
Living in the South during this time meant that blacks were separate from whites, and whites were superior to blacks. And while some of these attitudes may have prevailed even in the Carter household, he was also taught to treat blacks with respect, and most of his childhood friends were the black children of the hired hands they had on their farm. The Carters, compared to many of their neighbors at the time, did well in farming and were very resourceful in all they endeavored. Hard work was the ethic they lived by, but Jimmy Carter also had stories to tell about childhood antics and enjoying life on the farm. Carter also talks about his siblings, mostly referring to his sisters Ruth and Gloria (Billy came along much later, but he is mentioned in the book, in particular in regards to his tragic early death). He looked up to his father, and greatly admired his mother, a woman who did so much in her later years and became famous in her own right (some of the stories Jimmy relates are quite humorous, including her love of the Brooklyn Dodgers, later the LA dodgers and her friendship with the team).
AN HOUR BEFORE DAYLIGHT is not the perfect book. I found a lot of it to be rather dry reading, but I still enjoyed the anecdotes and stories that Jimmy Carter wrote about his growing up years. He's seen a lot in his life and has used what he learned to enrich others and help those who need it. I am slowly going through Carter's library of books and look forward to the next one.
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2022
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in France on August 27, 2017
An Hour Before Daylight is part memoir, part biography, and part autobiography. What it isn't is dull. No matter what subject he's writing about, Mr. Carter never fails to be both informative and entertaining, and I very much enjoyed his account of the stories in this book. Whether or not you have an interest in learning about Jimmy Carter's life, I recommend you read this book. It's more a wealth of information about rural life in Southern Georgia than it is a traditional biography. And while we do learn a fair bit about the man who would be America's 39th President, what surprised me is just how interesting the people Mr. Carter knew growing up are. I recommend this book to men, women, and children of all ages. A very enjoyable experience to read. Recommended. 5/5