An Outdoor Journal: Adventures and Reflections

by Jimmy Carter

An Outdoor Journal , first published in 1988, is President Carter’s memoir of hunting and fishing and the meaning of nature, revealing much about a man who embodies “so much of what Americans claim to admire—self-reliance, honesty, humor, modesty, intelligence—the stuff of heroes” ( The New York Times Book Review ).

Genres: Outdoors, Biography, Nonfiction, Nature

332 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Librarian’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...

Reviews

[SteveGD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm especially enjoying his stories about hunting and fishing while growing up. The adult stories tend to be a little stiffer. Wonderful to see how adventurous and fit he has stayed in retirement. A very observant outdoors person.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book detailing the President's love for fly fishing and the great outdoors. Some very hilarious parts with Mrs. Carter fishing as well! President Carter is such an outdoor enthusiast and it shows in his writings. So enjoyed reading this!

[Timothy Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book to give some insight into Jimmy's history and character.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pres. Carter grew up hunting and fishing with his father and his father’s friends. Many times people did this to put food on the table. Pres. Carter and his wife loved the outdoors and engaged in many fishing trips together. It was human vs. fish, but they always released whatever they caught that was not going to be eaten. The chapter on their visit to Nepal in 1985 was especially engaging - there was real physical danger! It’s a 36-year-old book but a worthy read.

[Meta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I do not know anything at all about fishing and hunting, his easy conversational style of
relating his adventures kept my attention going throughout the book. And I learned a lot about the various methods of fishing. I did enjoy it very much.

[BARRY AUTRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best book I ever got for 50 cents! Thanks President Carter for taking me on the adventure with you!

[Andrew Duback · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really well written book. Be prepared to look up hunting/fishing vocab as they come, if you are inexperienced like me.

[K.D. Putnam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid, likeable book! My favorite part was where talked about his childhood and what it was like.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It just moved a little to slow for me.

[Julie Menke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting....loved the Arkansas details and his world travels.....

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so this takes some explaining: one of my favorite authors, Bob Shacochis, wrote regularly for Outside Magazine wherein his articles kept mentioning that Jimmy Carter had just been there (Argentina/Siberia/wherever). Ten years later I finally made it to Atlanta when the museum was open, and of course I bought this. I love hearing dorks talk about their hobbies, but even with that caveat, this was too much fly fishing. However, I did learn probably everything I will ever need to know in my lifetime about fly fishing. I deeply enjoyed the introductory chapters about outdoor exploration, and sustenance, growing up in Plains during the Depression; it reminded me a lot of the time I spent working with the Carter Center in the Sahel. And of what my grandfather must have also gone through, but what I didn't ever chance to talk to him about. Really captures a semi-lost moment in time and culture, there. There are snippets like that throughout: even when you think you can't possibly stand to read another sentence about fly fishing, you discover something both new and known at the same time. Good read. But I also never want to read anything about fly fishing ever again.