A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety

I love President Carter’s thoughts on the years he was in the White House.His accomplishments during his presidency and after.

Enjoyed President Carter’s insights.

If you are searching for a detailed look at Jimmy Carter’s presidency, this is not the book. The three chapters covering his time in the White house take up 85 pages, about a third of the book. Carter divides all his chapters into subdivisions with subtitles. In the presidential years major events are covered with a subtitle followed by a few paragraphs and are often mixed in with events which most readers would not consider significant. For example, he has only just over two pages on “The Hostage Crisis, and Final Year.” This is followed by “Quick-Witted CIA,” a paragraph about an agent posing as a German who got out of Iran by telling customs guards that his middle initial H was not spelled out because his middle name was Hitler and he got special dispensation. This is followed by one page on “Human Rights and Latin America.” Chronological order is not important in the presidential chapters. Interesting anecdotes are mixed in with major events often on disconnected issues. All this is mildly interesting and all is from (as would be expected) Carter’s perspective. But it is nothing close to an in-depth look at the years for which Carter is most well-known. (Carter has other books that cover some of this in more detail.) But an in-depth look at those years was not the purpose of the book.The purpose of Carter’s book, which is admirably fulfilled, is to give a self-portrait of his life. I found the sections before and after his presidency far more interesting. Carter can narrate events involving himself in a non-self-conscious way that makes engaging reading. There never has been a presidential autobiography quite like this where the emphasis is on what the person did in the years when he was not president. It is an enlightening book about the person as a whole. And, while I wish Carter’s organization of the book had been better and I do not agree with his religious views, the book is worth reading as a testament to a good human being who happened to be president.

How to deal with getting old and still Godly

I got a good sense of his character and values after this reading. Truly a dedicated man of promoting peace . I wish I had his knowledge and wisdom . (And energy !)

As a man who is considered to be part of ‘the greatest generation’ -- a term coined in the book by Tom Brokaw, President Carter gives the reader a tour of living through one of the most important eras of American History. Undoubtedly, the events in which men and women endured have yet to be paralleled today. Although, one could argue that we should learn as a nation from our mistakes of the past. This book highlights the journey of a man who grew up on a farm in Plains (Georgia) to the White House to serve as the 39th President of the United States.Jimmy Carter is much greater than the highest office he achieved to sit in and preside over. He is part of a generation which had to tackle the boundary between the mechanical age and the digital age. Born before the advent of the computer. Advocating to hold office before the advent of the internet – yet alone social media, Jimmy Carter journeyed through his life and offered his service (in the form of public service to various local, state, and governmental) positions. To be considered for such positions, he performed now distant ‘door to door’ – ‘knock and talk’ to get to know his constituents (needs and demand). Grass roots was modeled after candidates like Jimmy Carter.His pursuit to the highest office in the country included years of service in the United States Navy. These formative years included challenges (intellectual and physical) that have been lost to advancements in technology today which we take for granted. From the self-education for survival on his farm to the self-education for advancement in the U.S. Navy, Jimmy Carter is an example of a quintessential pursuer of the ‘American Dream.’ While in the process, his actions are emblematic of the person each of us aim to model ourselves after.In closing, this book should be a required read for each student in high school. I would highly recommend giving the book a chance with your eyes and heart.

I haven't read it yet - glad to have ordered it tho.

An inspirational man with extraordinary drive and deep seated purpose in all he does. A great example of a life well lived

Jimmy Carter was one of the greatest Presidents that America has ever had. He believed in taking greater moral responsibilities in both domestic and foreign affairs, even though the media would frequently see past this and give him a hard time for bucking the Establishment, as well as disloyal members of his own party such as Ted Kennedy standing against him. Internationally, Carter was able to normalise relations with China, take strong standpoints on Russian repression, and reduce proliferation of nuclear weapons; domestically, he achieved such policies as compensating Native Americans in land disputes, and protecting Alaskan natural sites from oil exploitation. Right-wing Presidencies since Carter have sadly repealed some of his progressive policies, such as Ronald Reagan criminalising thousands of drug users instead of helping them with their addictions, and George W. Bush overturning intelligence agency legislation in order to condone personal privacy invasions. Carter and his wife now run the Carter Centre which has achieved great things such as peace negotiations, monitoring to ensure free and fair elections, building homes for underdeveloped communities, and helping to reduce the spread of tropical diseases.This book gives a succinct autobiographical overview of Carter’s life, and although it is not as detailed as some erudite biographies, this makes it more accessible for casual readers. My main criticisms would be that Carter spends too much time extolling the virtues of his religion – which sometimes led him into poor decision-making – and his negativity concerning the Obama administration is unfounded.Of course Carter made mistakes – his failure to confront the Shah of Iran would ultimately be his Presidential downfall – but if more political leaders had his moral integrity, the world would be a better place.

Brilliant well written book.This man has exceptional talents. Its a shame that he only had four years in the White House.An example to us all.

Good read and a good book, I was expecting more detailed explanation and strategy used on defusing certain crises, or mediating agreements.

a good book but too erudite for normal enjoyment