Having somehow begun developing an interest in Carter and his presidency in the last year or so, it was probably a matter of time before I got around to reading his diary excerpts. And these are excerpts, as the full diary ran over five thousand pages according to the former President at one point. But even in a condensed form at 570 pages, it's still full of fascinating insights.

For history buffs, there's plenty to take in. It's an account of 1977-81, told almost day by day (some overseas trips...