Books by Jonathan Alter
“From Alter’s book, you get the whole life—the upbringing, the training, the religious background, the self-improvement impulse. The other important thing about Carter is the post-presidency. Carter’s presidency was partly successful and partly unsuccessful. But there’s no question that he is the greatest ex-president the United States has ever had. One of the things I like about Alter’s treatment is that he gives a lot of attention to the building of the Carter Center at Emory, the way Carter involved himself in global health and election monitoring, the way Carter used his stature, his background, his connections and his prominence to do something constructive. Other presidents either fade into quiet retirement and paint watercolors, like George W. Bush, or hit the lecture circuit, like say Barack Obama or Bill Clinton. Carter didn’t do either of those things. In keeping with what we know about his character, he did his best with the opportunities presented by the post-presidency.” Read more...
Robert Lieberman, Political Scientist
Interviews where books by Jonathan Alter were recommended
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1
Stayin Alive: The 1970s and the Last Days of the Working Class
by Jefferson Cowie -
2
Panic at the Pump: The Energy Crisis and the Transformation of American Politics in the 1970s
by Meg Jacobs -
3
Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President
by Jimmy Carter -
4
His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life
by Jonathan Alter -
5
Thirteen Days in September: The Dramatic Story of the Struggle for Peace
by Lawrence Wright
The Best Jimmy Carter Books, recommended by Robert Lieberman
The Best Jimmy Carter Books, recommended by Robert Lieberman
For good books to understand Jimmy Carter and his presidency, it’s important to understand the context in which he was elected and served as president, argues political scientist Robert Lieberman. Here, he recommends five books on Jimmy Carter, winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize: “Carter was who he seemed to be, which is not something you often say about successful politicians.”
