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Why Not the Best?
Politics
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
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360 people want to read
About the author
Jimmy Carter
275 books639 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
James Earl Carter, Junior, known as Jimmy, the thirty-ninth president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, creditably established energy-conservation measures, concluded the treaties of Panama Canal in 1978, negotiated the accords of Camp David between Egypt and Israel in 1979, and won the Nobel Prize of 2002 for peace.
Ronald Wilson Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter, the incumbent, in the presidential election of 1980.
He served and received. Carter served two terms in the senate of Georgia and as the 76th governor from 1971 to 1975.
Carter created new Cabinet-level Department of education. A national policy included price decontrol and new technology. From 1977, people reduced foreign oil imports one-half to 1982. In foreign affairs, Carter pursued the second round of strategic arms limitation talks (SALT). Carter sought to put a stronger emphasis on human rights in 1979. People saw his return of the zone as a major concession of influence in Latin America, and Carter came under heavy criticism.
Iranian students in 1979 took over the American embassy and held hostages, and an attempt to rescue them failed; several additional major crises, including serious fuel shortages and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, marked the final year of his tenure. Edward Moore Kennedy challenged significantly higher disapproval ratings of Carter for nomination of the Democratic Party before the election of 1980. Carter defeated Kennedy for the nomination lost the election to Ronald Wilson Reagan, a Republican.
Carter left office and with Rosalynn Smith Carter, his wife, afterward founded the nongovernmental center and organization that works to advance human rights. He traveled extensively to conduct, to observe elections, and to advance disease prevention and eradication in developing nations. He, a key, also figured in the project of habitat for humanity. Carter particularly vocalized on the Palestinian conflict.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jimmyc...
James Earl Carter, Junior, known as Jimmy, the thirty-ninth president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, creditably established energy-conservation measures, concluded the treaties of Panama Canal in 1978, negotiated the accords of Camp David between Egypt and Israel in 1979, and won the Nobel Prize of 2002 for peace.
Ronald Wilson Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter, the incumbent, in the presidential election of 1980.
He served and received. Carter served two terms in the senate of Georgia and as the 76th governor from 1971 to 1975.
Carter created new Cabinet-level Department of education. A national policy included price decontrol and new technology. From 1977, people reduced foreign oil imports one-half to 1982. In foreign affairs, Carter pursued the second round of strategic arms limitation talks (SALT). Carter sought to put a stronger emphasis on human rights in 1979. People saw his return of the zone as a major concession of influence in Latin America, and Carter came under heavy criticism.
Iranian students in 1979 took over the American embassy and held hostages, and an attempt to rescue them failed; several additional major crises, including serious fuel shortages and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, marked the final year of his tenure. Edward Moore Kennedy challenged significantly higher disapproval ratings of Carter for nomination of the Democratic Party before the election of 1980. Carter defeated Kennedy for the nomination lost the election to Ronald Wilson Reagan, a Republican.
Carter left office and with Rosalynn Smith Carter, his wife, afterward founded the nongovernmental center and organization that works to advance human rights. He traveled extensively to conduct, to observe elections, and to advance disease prevention and eradication in developing nations. He, a key, also figured in the project of habitat for humanity. Carter particularly vocalized on the Palestinian conflict.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jimmyc...
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 9, 2021
Jimmy Carter (1924) was the 39th president of the United States. He is an American politician. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his humanitarian work.
James Earl Carter Jr. was born in Plains, Georgia, United States, on October 1, 1924. He was the first son of a traditional peanut growing family to complete high school. He studied at the Southwest Georgia College and the Georgia Institute of Technology.
In 1946, Carter graduated from the United States Naval Academy in the state of Maryland. That same year she married Rosalynn Smith. The couple had three children and one daughter. In 1953, after his father's death, Jimmy Carter returned to Georgia to manage the family's peanut farm.
He started politics by joining the Democratic Party. He was elected leader to the Georgia Legislature in 1962 and 1964. In 1966 he ran for state governor but lost the elections. However, he stood out for his policy in favour of the rights of blacks and women. In 1970 he ran again and came out a winner.
In July 1976, Carter was chosen as a candidate of the democrats to the Presidency of United States and indicated the senator Walter F. Mondale to the vice-presidency. However, in November 1976, Republican Gerald Ford won by a small margin of the vote, thanks to the Republicans' discrediting Richard Nixon in the Watergate affair.
During his tenure, Carter worked to defend democracy and human rights on an international scale. It contributed to the fall of dictator Somoza in Nicaragua, claimed for the first time the rights of the Palestinian people in the face of Israeli atrocities, and succeeded in getting Egypt and Israel to sign the historic peace agreement. In addition, on January 1, 1979, it established full diplomatic relations between the United States and China.
On November 4, 1979, Iranian students invaded the US embassy in Iran when they made more than 50 hostages; they have only released in January 1981, which shook the American public. In 1980, Carter lost the election to Republican candidate Ronald Reagan.
After leaving the White House, Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter founded the Carter Center in 1982 in Atlanta, Georgia, a non-profit organization to promote peace and human rights. Jimmy Carter has made numerous trips to help resolve international conflicts. Through the Habitat for Humanity organization, it helped build housing for the poor.
In 2002, Jimmy Carter awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work. In December 2015, Jimmy Carter revealed that he was free of brain cancer discovered in August of the same year.
James Earl Carter Jr. was born in Plains, Georgia, United States, on October 1, 1924. He was the first son of a traditional peanut growing family to complete high school. He studied at the Southwest Georgia College and the Georgia Institute of Technology.
In 1946, Carter graduated from the United States Naval Academy in the state of Maryland. That same year she married Rosalynn Smith. The couple had three children and one daughter. In 1953, after his father's death, Jimmy Carter returned to Georgia to manage the family's peanut farm.
He started politics by joining the Democratic Party. He was elected leader to the Georgia Legislature in 1962 and 1964. In 1966 he ran for state governor but lost the elections. However, he stood out for his policy in favour of the rights of blacks and women. In 1970 he ran again and came out a winner.
In July 1976, Carter was chosen as a candidate of the democrats to the Presidency of United States and indicated the senator Walter F. Mondale to the vice-presidency. However, in November 1976, Republican Gerald Ford won by a small margin of the vote, thanks to the Republicans' discrediting Richard Nixon in the Watergate affair.
During his tenure, Carter worked to defend democracy and human rights on an international scale. It contributed to the fall of dictator Somoza in Nicaragua, claimed for the first time the rights of the Palestinian people in the face of Israeli atrocities, and succeeded in getting Egypt and Israel to sign the historic peace agreement. In addition, on January 1, 1979, it established full diplomatic relations between the United States and China.
On November 4, 1979, Iranian students invaded the US embassy in Iran when they made more than 50 hostages; they have only released in January 1981, which shook the American public. In 1980, Carter lost the election to Republican candidate Ronald Reagan.
After leaving the White House, Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter founded the Carter Center in 1982 in Atlanta, Georgia, a non-profit organization to promote peace and human rights. Jimmy Carter has made numerous trips to help resolve international conflicts. Through the Habitat for Humanity organization, it helped build housing for the poor.
In 2002, Jimmy Carter awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work. In December 2015, Jimmy Carter revealed that he was free of brain cancer discovered in August of the same year.
November 9, 2010
I love this man! The smartest, most honorable, noble man I know.
April 16, 2022
I've long been a supply-sider who had been a lifelong 5th Generation Lincoln Republican; Until Trump made me not a Republican. As a Reagan guy I've always been impressed how many times I've heard from my fellow Republicans say something along the lines of "Carter was probably the smartest, most well read, highly qualified, hardest working, most honest president we've ever had. He was just a terrible president." All probably true, but over the decades I increasingly question if he was necessarily that terrible a president.
You will learn a lot about Carter but the most impressive thing I find is how hard work and drive hit so many generations in a row. His mother was an impressive sort. At age 68 she was watching TV and saw a Peace Corps commercial where they pointed out there is no max age limit to serve. She got a hair up her butt to apply and headed off to India to serve as a nurse for 21 months. Over the next two years she learned two languages in this job. I'm impressed, I'm not learning a new language at 70.
Carter claims that his mom tells the story of the hardest thing she ever did in India was working with an advanced leprosy case in an 11-year-old girl. She was shocked and afraid when she first saw this girl to give injections. After giving that first injection she was ashamed of herself for extensively washing her hands with alcohol and then taking a long shower. After weeks of giving these injections Carter's mom says, "We finally got her in a leprosarium-they have a long list of people waiting-and six months later she came out, and she came running there one day to me and she brought me a flower-all Indians love flowers-and she put her arms around my neck and kissed me. And you know, I didn't wash my face or hands.......(p.86.)"
Great stuff. This is the kind of lady who raises a kid to swing a hammer for Habitat for Humanity as an ex-president into his 90s.
You will learn a lot about Carter but the most impressive thing I find is how hard work and drive hit so many generations in a row. His mother was an impressive sort. At age 68 she was watching TV and saw a Peace Corps commercial where they pointed out there is no max age limit to serve. She got a hair up her butt to apply and headed off to India to serve as a nurse for 21 months. Over the next two years she learned two languages in this job. I'm impressed, I'm not learning a new language at 70.
Carter claims that his mom tells the story of the hardest thing she ever did in India was working with an advanced leprosy case in an 11-year-old girl. She was shocked and afraid when she first saw this girl to give injections. After giving that first injection she was ashamed of herself for extensively washing her hands with alcohol and then taking a long shower. After weeks of giving these injections Carter's mom says, "We finally got her in a leprosarium-they have a long list of people waiting-and six months later she came out, and she came running there one day to me and she brought me a flower-all Indians love flowers-and she put her arms around my neck and kissed me. And you know, I didn't wash my face or hands.......(p.86.)"
Great stuff. This is the kind of lady who raises a kid to swing a hammer for Habitat for Humanity as an ex-president into his 90s.
January 27, 2025
Jimmy Carter is the man! After his passing, I wanted to learn more about the former president from South Ga. My family is from there and this book mentions my great uncle- John Pope- who helped Jimmy Carter unveil voter election fraud against his Ga State Senate run.
Jimmy Carter’s unwavering character, integrity, and work ethic was inspiring to read about. Can’t wait to read more of his work.
Jimmy Carter’s unwavering character, integrity, and work ethic was inspiring to read about. Can’t wait to read more of his work.
July 18, 2007
I read this book when I was 16 and Jimmy Carter was running for president the first time. His vision of the country in its bicentennial year drew me to his campaign.
July 21, 2007
There are some interesting points Carter presents in this book. 1 is how African Americans were treated in the South when he was growing up. Which in that case there are small details presented that are only natural, but it reminds you of the history. The other good point was how he took on voting count corruption to become governor.
November 14, 2010
President Carter was a hero while he was in the military service, as presidentual candidate he promised us he would never lie to us -and he was good to his promiae. As president of the US, I can't remember him accomplishing anything, except more government, run away inflation, and astronomical debt.
April 28, 2009
Read many years ago and recall liking it enough.
July 19, 2011
Unceasingly quaint and charming.
July 29, 2021
This book was really good. And, even though it was published 45 years ago, it's incredibly relevant to things going on now.
April 1, 2023
I ran across a news article that mentioned the books that Jimmy Carter wrote. President Carter was the first president I voted for, so I logged into my Barnes and Noble account to search for his books. I must say, I was surprised to learn how many he has written, If you ever thought Jimmy Carter was a hick peanut farmer, this book is a must read to redirect your thoughts.
Amongst, the many great stories in the autobiography, book, my favorite was when Jimmy applied for a job after graduating from the Navel Academy during which Admiral Rickover asked him during a job interview, "Did you do your best?" Rickover asked. Carter initially answered, "yes sir" but after some thought said, "no sir, I didn't always do my best." Describing the scene years later, Carter writes, "He asked one final question which I have never been able to forget-or to answer. He said, "Why not?"
Amongst, the many great stories in the autobiography, book, my favorite was when Jimmy applied for a job after graduating from the Navel Academy during which Admiral Rickover asked him during a job interview, "Did you do your best?" Rickover asked. Carter initially answered, "yes sir" but after some thought said, "no sir, I didn't always do my best." Describing the scene years later, Carter writes, "He asked one final question which I have never been able to forget-or to answer. He said, "Why not?"
November 9, 2020
Even though this book was written 30 years ago, it is still very relevant today.
June 29, 2023
As Jimmy Carter enters the final act of a long life of accomplishment, this is an appropriate time to revisit (or in my case, visit) the book which he used to introduce himself to America. On one level, this books reads like the typical campaign biography. Events follow in his life, arranged to show Carter's belief in this nation's potential. A heaping helping of praise for the American people is included, which any smart politician knows to be essential to victory.
On reflection, having had Carter in our national life for almost half a century, this book can be seen as the blueprint for the type of leader he would be. He comes off here as an independent thinker (who was an opponent of Jim Crow even as a young Georgia politician) who had a strongly developed sense of morality. He shows a bit of the idealist who would go on to win the Nobel Peace Prize as well as the rigid loner who would have so much trouble getting his proposals passed by Congress. Most importantly, the book shows a man still growing, one who would live a life of purpose. The Presidency was not and would not be enough achievement for a man such as the one in these pages. While Carter has written more detailed and thorough books about himself, Why Not the Best is an essential guide to understanding this most fascinating of Americans.
On reflection, having had Carter in our national life for almost half a century, this book can be seen as the blueprint for the type of leader he would be. He comes off here as an independent thinker (who was an opponent of Jim Crow even as a young Georgia politician) who had a strongly developed sense of morality. He shows a bit of the idealist who would go on to win the Nobel Peace Prize as well as the rigid loner who would have so much trouble getting his proposals passed by Congress. Most importantly, the book shows a man still growing, one who would live a life of purpose. The Presidency was not and would not be enough achievement for a man such as the one in these pages. While Carter has written more detailed and thorough books about himself, Why Not the Best is an essential guide to understanding this most fascinating of Americans.
July 19, 2025
Very interesting to read a book written 50 years ago, and before Carter’s presidency. Especially reading about everything he did for the Georgia government. I’m not from Georgia, but I still appreciated learning about the urban and regional planning 50 years ago, everything seemed much easier, but they had their challenges. It’s interesting to read how they were concerned about environmental deterioration and depletion of irreplaceable commodities back then, yet the US didn’t have an energy policy established.
Fast forward 50 years after this book was written, and Carter no longer with us, I can only hope Georgia was able to preserve the beautify it was in 1975 (Government and the Outdoors).
If Jimmy Carter’s America was one where the people were unselfish, open, honest, decent, competent, and compassionate; then take me back to the 70s!
If you’re Christian, you’ll appreciate some of the Christian aspects, especially in the chapter titled, The Person in Front of You. If anything, at least read the last chapter of this book, it’s very eye opening regarding history repeating itself.
“The root of the problem is not so much that our people have lost confidence in government, but that government has demonstrated time and again its lack of confidence in the people.”
Fast forward 50 years after this book was written, and Carter no longer with us, I can only hope Georgia was able to preserve the beautify it was in 1975 (Government and the Outdoors).
If Jimmy Carter’s America was one where the people were unselfish, open, honest, decent, competent, and compassionate; then take me back to the 70s!
If you’re Christian, you’ll appreciate some of the Christian aspects, especially in the chapter titled, The Person in Front of You. If anything, at least read the last chapter of this book, it’s very eye opening regarding history repeating itself.
“The root of the problem is not so much that our people have lost confidence in government, but that government has demonstrated time and again its lack of confidence in the people.”
February 9, 2025
Clearly a political track, President Carter however has a much different language and style than any of his predecessors or successors. Its hard to imagine a time when the United States was in as much trouble as it is in now. But that was the case when Carter, a little known former southern Governor from Georgia, had the temerity to run for the highest office in the land. A standard autobiography of the first half-century of his illustrious life, it tantalizingly teases the reader with stories and people that you wish you could read more about. From his rural and backwater upbringing, to his time as a young and promising officer in the post-war Navy, one can sense that this young man had an innate confidence and spirit within him that was at times relentless, and magnetic. It causes me to wonder what his presence was at my age (or any age) when he entered a room. Perhaps that's what makes this book so compelling over other pre-presidential campaign bio books of the same ilk. Perhaps this is something that we can bring back to the practice, along with the country they're so desperate to lead as well.
March 14, 2023
#19 of 120 books pledged to read during 2023
July 31, 2025
the book is interesting from the point of view how much things changed. what values did a political leader have that people voted for 50 years ago.
April 20, 2017
This is the sort of book that candidates to the presidential election release before they run. In it you find charming tidbits about Carter's youth on the farm, his professional development in the navy and then as a business man followed by the challenges of running for a public office. There are interesting artifacts of the past transition from an isolated rural life to a connected one, which Carter experienced as a young kid in the depression era. The south was one of the last part of America to modernize, the Rural Electrification Act played a big role in delivering electricity to farmers and changed their way of life. It is also interesting to read about the ideals of Carter, his mother's dedication to helping people in India by volunteering for the peace corps at age 65, his fight against corruption during his first public race show him as a relentless and principled man fighting against the entrenched interests and the blatant corruption of the people in power. Overall, the book is written in a way that would not upset anyone, and thus doesn't seem to take great risk at proposing new policies, but I may be out of touch with the Georgia politics of the 1960s/1970s. All in all an enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews