I found myself substantially agreeing with nearly all of Carter's analysis and prescriptions for the issues discussed. There are nits to pick, of course. For me personally, the biggest was a failure to discuss the vast potential for active transportation to affect the crises of climate change, oil dependence, and poverty. But that aside, the book made me appreciate the challenges of his presidency and his decisions as president, as well as the work he's engaged in since. Without a doubt, he's been one of our most accomplished ex-presidents, positively effecting countless lives through his foundation, his public service, and the inspiration of his character. It certainly would be interesting to read Carter's analysis of the Obama and Trump administrations through the lens of morality and values.

Thoughtful and reasonable but what else would you expect from Jimmy Carter. He embraces a naive brand of Christianity but not the dogmatic, literalist type that isn't naive, it's just plain unthinking. Sadly, it's the balanced and engaged style that is so lacking from the public discourse in America, yet is so needed to dig out of the hole.

A very interesting read. I was surprised at the lower reading level in the book, almost too juvenile. But I understand it was meant to appeal to a wide audience. Anyone with an interest in current politics, religion and history will find this an enjoyable easy read.

Jimmy Carter is a respectable guy, strong in his faith and convictions. You can tell that he really cares for the poor and less fortunate, has a desire for truth, justice, etc.

I found myself agreeing with about 95% of Carter's statements on the problems we face as a country today. I agree with his blame on the neo-conservative Republicans for misleading right-wing Americans. They've worked the masses of the "moral majority" into a fit over things like gay marriage...while nobody in that same group of people seems to care that we've killed thousands of innocent people in an undeclared Iraq war, are illegally holding and torturing people at Guantanomo, and are in jeopardy of losing countless liberties through scams like the Patriot Act.

Carter has a big problem with the Bush Administration, as do I. While I agree with his constant criticisms, I find it hard to believe the mess we're in is entirely due to a single group of people from a single party. I think it's a two-party mess. Illegal wiretapping was also implemented by the Clinton Administration, as were attacks in countries such as Iraq, Somalia, Yugoslavia, etc. The Clintons used the IRS to take down political opponents. The abuse of power has happened on both sides.

Also, in 2006 the Democrats won both the House and Senate on the premise that they would bring the troops home. All they would need to do is cut spending for the war. Well, the latest "supplemental" war bill was just approved last month, and the Democrats ADDED $40 billion on top of what the Republicans proposed. These two parties are becoming the same.

Another thing that really annoyed me was Carter's statement that a Christian president should be looking to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. That in itself is great, but Carter started using the term "Just War" to say there is a time and place for war. Is there really such a thing? If Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was attacked, would he fight back or would he allow Himself to be captured, tortured, and nailed to a cross?

So while I agree with 95% of the problems Carter sees, I think I agreed with about 50% of his proposed solutions. It sounds like he wants government to fix the problems and be a big wonderful great "do-it-all" type service for the American people. I personally would like to see government quit breaking everything and leave use all alone.

Interesting book though, and based on my lengthy review it obviously got me thinking. :-)

Most often people who have spoken against America's foreign policies have been described as anti-America. People who have gone ahead to question certain decisions such as why corporate tax has always been lower and quick to be reduced than income tax and who have suggested that a certain cabal is ruling America have been described as Conspiracy Theorists, which currently tantamount to speaking gibberish or simply, insanity. And for those of us non-Americans, especially Africans who raise such issues, our own compatriots, fascinated by the dazzle of power, or perhaps more appropriately by the suit-and-tie of American leadership and their zeal to live in the beautiful country and so would betray everything they are, would tell you, 'you are a fool'.

continue here http://freduagyeman.blogspot.com/2012...

I always felt that Jimmy Carter got a raw deal as president. He seems like such a gentle person and politics really just ate him up and spit him out. I find that I like him more now that I've listened to this book. He makes no bones about being an Evangelical Christian and that his job is to bring other people into the fold. However, he has the most enlightened views about personal choice that I've ever heard from a born again. There were parts where the narrative bogged down (Mr. Carter does love the statistics), but overall, a pleasant "on-my-way-to-work" listen.

Perhaps the greatest ex-president of all time (I know, Harding never got the chance), it's a good look at his mid-2000s assessment of the moral issues facing the country. As an admittedly non-religious person, it's interesting to see the perspective of a lifelong devout Christian.

I really love Jimmy Carter! Our Endangered Values is such an important book. Carter discusses how blurring the lines of separation of church and state is dangerous to our civil liberties. Thomas Jefferson said, “Because religious belief, or non-belief, is such an important part of every person’s life, freedom of religion affects every individual. Religious institutions that use government power in support of themselves and force their views on persons of other faiths, or of no faith, undermine all our civil rights. Moreover, state support of an established religion tends to make the clergy unresponsive to their own people, and leads to corruption within religion itself. Erecting the “wall of separation between church and state,” therefore, is absolutely essential in a free society.” Subsequently, I think Carter possesses the highest level of moral character for any U.S. President. I own all the books he has written. As soon as you read one, he has written another one.

I learned a lot about Baptists. It is, more or less, a personal assault on Bush's policies and how they damage what Carter sees to be America's traditional values (which are, in my personal opinion, flawed anyway)--so in a few months, the purpose of reading this book will be more or less obsolete. It was interestingly written, and I don't regret reading it at all, esp. because I learned about appropriate foreign policy from a former president, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Also, Carter seemed to lack direction during much of the book, and it was often unclear to me the overall point or the specific direction of any of the chapters; he seemed to take individual policy decisions and personally attack them using select Bible verses and his experiences as a president and Baptist. Interestingly, whenever he used the words "religious traditions" or "fundamentalist" in a way to be encompassing of all religious backgrounds, it was obvious from context that he only really thought of Christianity. Yes, Carter's a Baptist, yes, a majority of Americans are practicing Christians and yes, historically this nation has been overwhelmingly Christian; that being said, this is a book meant to be taken seriously as a political argument, written by an ex-President (and a democrat at that), and I was appalled by the extreme Christian-centric views Carter held (self-righteously) at every angle. I understand where he came from in the context of his life, but it made me take his views less seriously. Morality shouldn't be seen as belonging to only Christians, particularly in this country; it belongs to everyone and every religion (or lack thereof). Our nation's current falling from morality should not be measured by Bible verses.

As a personal note to Carter, I'd rather be praised (or just accepted without words) for the diversity that I personally bring to the table, than forgiven for it.

This guy can write and I have a lot more respect for him now after having read the book. All I recall from childhood when he was president that he was a wuss...couldn't get those hostages out of Iran. But he's done a lot of good since those days and I appreciate his more peaceful approach.

Carter has written the creed for us, the baseline, the standard. This is a very important book; I hope it is a clarion call for more of us. I go on record here stating that Carter has been the best President since Harry S. Truman.

This is a wonderful discourse on where our country has come in the past decade and the erosion of our basic values. Jimmy Carter may not have been the most effective president, but he has certainly proven himself as a peacemaker and statesman since leaving office. The conservative, fundamentalist, radical right-wing has tried to undermine and distort our view of what is and is not moral. I happen to agree with Jimmy Carter's thoughtful and well-reasoned assessment. This is a thought-provoking and courageous counter to the prevailing "religious" position that has dominated national politics for far too many years. It will make you think and may challenge some of your preconceived ideas.