Another marvelous book by my favorite president. I'm happy that he takes time to explain the Carter Center. A place where antagonistic leaders can utilize their services as mediators. They still fulfill this role whenever opportunities arise and constantly monitor world conflicts. About 120 are on the current list, about 70 erupt into violence each year. 30 are considered major wars where at least 1000 soldiers have died in combat. In modern wars, nine civilians perish for each soldier killed. They study every facet of these conflicts and attempt to resolve them directly or through surrogates.

"Rosalynn is usually at my side when I am mediating, taking detailed notes, writing down every sentence on which there is agreement, and joining in the discussion or passing me written suggestions. Between negotiation sessions, we assess our progress and make plans for the next steps."

Each year they monitor 4 or 5 of the most troubled elections in the world. Usually, when a totalitarian regime is ready, for the first time, to have a democratic election or when an established democracy has an unanticipated challenge to its continued existence. (pg. 101 details how this works).

Each year the Carter Center treats over 10 million people for trachoma, river blindness, guinea worm, schistosomiasis, and elephantiasis.

They also assist small farmers in Africa (2 acres) to double or triple their production of staple food grains.

No wonder he was President Malaise. This is just excruciating. Unfortunately, I had to live through his presidency, but at least I was a kid so it wasn't as excruciating as it could have been.

Who publishes this moronitude?

I enjoy reading about all of Jimmy and Rosslyn's adventures. They jogged and hiked before it became so popular. I was surprised to hear about their climbs on Everest and Fuji and Kilimanjaro during their 60s. Reading about their other hobbies and interests like woodworking and birding was interesting. They are good role models for social, intellectual, spiritual and physical fitness! I also like hearing about Jimmy's struggles with not being self-centered and calling all the shots. He achieved a lot by setting lofty goals for himself, but also keeps learning about how to keep connected with others and not just use them or leave them in the dust.

so far this book is almost exactly like an episode of the waltons. i like when he says "larga alligatas" and "when rosa and i were president."

#12 of 120 books pledged to read during 2022

Not as good as his childhood memoir, but interesting.

re-tiring growth

I had no idea how multifaceted this former president was! I had a vague recollection of him as president during my adolescence, and I’ve been very much aware and in awe of his work with Habitat, but the rest of his interests and hobbies were a surprise to someone who has always pictured his post White House years being spent living quietly in Plains, teaching Sunday school and writing books.

A pretty fun book by President Carter that tells about his childhood in rural Georgia, his love of fishing and hunting and nature, his family, and numerous adventurous holidays that he's taken over the last 60 years in Africa, the Himalayas and elsewhere, almost always with his wife Rosalynn or the children and grandchildren. Carter not only is an accomplished fisherman, but is a pretty good runner and mountain climber, too.

While most of the stories are delightful and inspirational, there are some asides, (like his son throwing a rock in the water and pretending it was his son, and his wife being so scared for her child she nearly fainted, told as a humorous story at the mother's expense) that give me a little pause. Still, climbing Kilimanjaro at 70 is goals.

Jimmy Carter is an inspirational human being. I have had the good fortune to be able to visit his library and learn so much about this wonderful person. Lessons to learn from a person who has never stopped learning. His wonderful outlook towards life, inspirational journey from a small town farmer to the presidential power, his humble beginnings and a lifetime of learning. After leaving office he learnt how to paint (which by the way is amazing), learnt to do woodwork and has been able to help make the world a more humane and better place to live with his philanthropic work.
This is a wonderful read and gives you a peek into his family life, his love for the outdoors and those little things in life that we forget which lead to a lasting bond with your kids.

President Carter shares many of his adventures in the relationship with his wife. B+