Editorial Review

Even at his most irate, Jimmy Carter projects cool, communicating with a poise that commands attention while gently signaling to opponents that they better do their homework before mounting any sort of debate. Perhaps that's why the former president, Nobel Peace Prize-winner, and bestselling author ranks as one of the planet's most respected voices in the areas of human rights, diplomacy, and good government. And when a clearly agitated Carter suggests America is on a slippery slope, globally speaking, as he does throughout Read more

Reviews (246)

A bit disappointing
Even though I am biased towards Jimmy, I was a little disappointed by this book.While some sections are very succinct and Jimmy is clearly writing from the heart, for $15 one would expect a little more analysis and explanation of the major issues of the day.

An important book for our times
I bought this book from the UK amazon under the title Faith & Freedom. It is an eye-opening account of how religious fundamentalists have managed to leave the impact of their worst attitudes of intolerance, self-righteousness, and belligerence on American domestic and foreign politics, something that concerns me as a UK citizen, because that which significantly affects the most powerful country on the planet is liable to have repercussions elsewhere. But after its eye-opening, soberingcontent, the book ends with a more gracious tone, encouraging Americans to return to a renewed commitment towards their own best ideals in a way that is reflected in the country's dealings with the rest of the world. May this happen, else America's reputation could undergo irreversible damage. Hopefully this excellent book will exert a wide and good influence. Highly recommended.

An accurate, honest and true account of the state of our country.
Absolutely the best non-fiction book-on-dvd I've ever listened to. President Carter gives an accurate and honest account of the political, social and physical changes currently dividing the American society under this current administration. I remember as a young girl hearing a White House biographer say that it would be years after President Carter's administration that we would appreciate his intelligence and the contributions he made to peace and the strength of the nation. I think this book brings that prediction to fruition. What a shame that we don't have a leader who cares about the future of the country and the people's well being.
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Christianity and politics    3. Church And Social Problems    4. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    5. Government - U.S. Government    6. Philosophy    7. Political    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Presidents & Heads of State    10. Public Policy - General    11. Religion And Politics    12. Religion, Politics & State    13. Religious    14. Religious fundamentalism    15. Social values    16. Sociology    17. United States    18. 21st century    19. Christian social thought & activity    20. Political Science / General    21. Social issues    22. Social theory    23. USA   

Subjects:  1. 1973-1993    2. 1993-    3. Arab-Israeli conflict    4. Foreign Relations 1990-    5. International Relations - General    6. Middle East - General    7. Palestine - History    8. Palestinian Arabs    9. Peace    10. Political Science    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Politics and government    13. Politics/International Relations    14. Reference    15. Political Science / International Relations   

Reviews (7)

A Beautiful Book!
When I first heard about Mattie, it was about five years ago and I guess I didn't really pay too much attention.But I had heard and read enough of his poetry that by the time he passed away my heart was broken.I wished I had payed more attention to what he was doing while he was alive.This book really helped me to fill in the gaps.It is full of his poetry and essays, as well as a history of his life as seen through his email correspondance with Jimmy Carter.I was in tears every time I picked up this book.So I have no problem in giving it the highest rating possable.

HONEST AND LIFE-CHANGING
This book is inspired by a boy who endured more pain than is almost conceivable and yet, Mattie Stepanek rises like the Phoenix from the ashes of his own suffering to genuinely challenge and gently encourage his readers towards the goals of "Thinking gently, speaking gently, and Living gently."
Wow-Motivating and Inspiring-Life, Living, and Peace
The reviewer providing the Onion link obviously has not even read this book.If so, said "reviewer" would know that this book moves well beyond Mattie's powerful and thought provoking Heartsongs and includes Mattie's prose writing, as well as personal emails between Mattie and President Carter that cover topics ranging from life and living to our impact on one another, to this child's overpowering knowledge of his own upcoming death and how he chooses to cope.Readers receive an intimate look at one of our Presidents through the lens of a friend, mentor, and confidant.Also special to this book, and again a strong sign that the Onion reviewer has not read it, is that Mattie lays out a plan for peace.If only President Bush (and mean-spirited people like the Onion reviewer) would read and take Mattie's steps to heart. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Essays    2. Hope    3. Inspiration & Personal Growth    4. Inspirational    5. Inspirational - General    6. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    7. Peace    8. Peace And Peace Movements    9. Poetry    10. Political Science    11. Literary Criticism / Poetry   

Reviews (6)

Kids love this book
My kiddos got this book as a gift.I took my daughter's copy to school and read it to her kindergarten class and the whole class LOVED it!The teacher loved it so much that I bought her a copy for her class.
awesome
A tremendous story with subtle morals everywhere.Spectacular color and imagry in the artwork.It's the kind of work that nobody can have too much of.

awesome book!
(...)[My] aunt gave me this book. I loved reading it, and whenever I went to the beach, I would look for sea monsters and hidden treasure. I just re-read the book for the first time in 7 years, and it was just as good as it was when I was 5. Then, I looked to see who the author was. Big suprise: it was written by Jimmy Carter, who used to be my father's next door neigbor 40 years ago! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fiction    4. Friendship    5. General    6. Monsters    7. People with disabilities    8. Sea monsters    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (13)

Great Book to Read Over Time
Thoughtfully written, this is one of those books to keep on the night stand and read one chapter a night and meditate upon the lesson set forth in the chapter.Highly recommend.

Wise words from a great Christian man
This is a great devotional that draws on a wide range of scripture and also on President Carter's long, interesting, diverse, and meaningful life. Not only is Carter a good exegete of scripture, but his genuine faith comes through in every page. He writes in a very personal style that makes you feel like you're studying the scriptures with a favorite uncle...who happened to be the leader of the free world some years back.
Beautiful, sensational, clear and to the point
This is the very first book I read of Carter. I never expected that an ex-president, supposed to be pragmatic and rational, can have written such a beautiful, sensational, clear and to the point spiritual book. Not a few messages, but fifty-two meaningful and insightful ones in this 241 page book. The format is traditional, with three to four pages of elaboration on a particular biblical verse. Nevertheless, the impact is great and you really feel your faith and spiritual strength being enhanced through reading it, of course with intermittent prayers in between for optimal effect. I dont want to comment it as a tool book, but it does serves its purpose really well.
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Subjects:  1. Baptist authors    2. Bible    3. Bible - Meditations - General    4. Bible - Topical Studies    5. Biblical teaching    6. Christian life    7. Inspirational    8. Meditations    9. Religion    10. Religion - Biblical Studies    11. Religion / Inspirational   

Reviews (53)

Mattie was insightful
I recently completed my new copy of Journey Through Heartsongs, by Mattie Stepanek.This book deserves a close and relaxed reading due to its healing message and Mattie's incredible insights. Mattie, was born with dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, a disease which led to his death in June of 2004.However, I am firmly convinced that Mattie was born with more:this book (and his other books) show clearly a precocious mind which borders on genius.
To An Athlete Dying Young
Leave the poetry writing to masters like A.E. Houseman.
Great reading for your children
Makes one feel humble...plan to pass it on to my nephews. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children's writings, American    3. Life    4. Muscular dystrophy    5. Patients    6. Poetry    7. Poetry - General    8. Poetry / Inspirational & Religious   

Editorial Review

Born on October 1, 1924,Jimmy Carter grewup on a Georgia farm during the Great Depression. In Read more

Reviews (58)

Excellent!!!
This is one of the best books I've read the past year and one of the best biographies I've ever read.Jimmy Cater, whether you like/respect the man or not, is an excellent storyteller and he takes you back to the years of growing up on a rural Georgia farm during the Great Depression and segregation.The descriptions are so clear it seems like you're actually there. Quite a contrast to the middle class/suburban upbringing I experienced.I also read Carter's Presidential biography, which is also very good, but he's not as long-winded here so the book reads very fast.
Worth the time
President Carter discusses his experiences growing up in rural Georgia during the depression and how it influenced his future public life. Despite the institutionalized segregation that formally kept the races apart, many of the people that shaped the future President's young life were not white. It is amazing to compare the changes in American society from 70 years ago, some for the better (institutionalized segregation and racism), but mostly for the worse. Even though segregation is now gone, it is ironic that the informal happy-go-lucky youthful mixing of the races that President Carter claims helped shape his young life is probably gone now as well; but cynically, I believe Carter over emphasizes this point for political profit. Also, Americans were very frugal, resourceful, and resilient in those days.I don't think today's wasteful, whiney, latte entitlement generation could go through such economic hardship.
The boy behind the man
This is one of the best books I have ever read in any genre. I've always liked Jimmy Carter as a human being, and now I know what made this intelligent, unassuming, hardworking, humorous, and compassionate public figure the man he is. And in addition to that, the book gives a wonderfully rich view of rural life earlier in the 20th century. I would recommend this book to anyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Childhood Memoir    7. Country life    8. Farmers    9. Georgia    10. Historical - General    11. History    12. Plains    13. Presidents    14. Presidents & Heads of State    15. Regional Subjects - South    16. United States    17. Biography & Autobiography / Presidents    18. Biography: general    19. Political leaders & leadership   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (9)

A book that matters...
This is an elegant though brief memoir written by the great man himself. One should not expect too much detail, however, as the text only gives us glimpses into the man's life and the singular events that shaped who he was and what he became and, more importantly, what he accomplished. Schweitzer focuses mainly on the development of his theological and philosophical thought, beginning with his early endeavours leading to his famous work, `The Quest for the Historical Jesus'. From this point, he continues on towards the shaping of his magnum opus, `Philosophy of Civilization'. It is in this section of the text that he discusses two worldviews of life-affirmation and life-denial and pessimism. This work evolves into his philosophical perspective of Reverence for Life. For students of this great mind, this is a must read.
There is no better short book available on the mind and thoughts of Albert Schweitzer than this book.His theology on Jesus and Paul, his thoughts on Bach and organ building, his philosophy on Reverence for Life are all laid out here. Schweitzer's life and thought:
"Since my first years at the university I had grown increasingly to doubt the idea that mankind is steadily moving toward improvement. My impression was that the fire of its ideas was burning out without anyone noticing or worrying about it. ... What was just and equitable seemed to be pursued with only lukewarm zeal. I noticed a number of symptoms of intellectual and spiritual fatigue in this generation that is so proud of its achievements."Read more

Subjects:  1. 1875-1965    2. 20th Century World History    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Europe    7. Gabon    8. Historical - General    9. History    10. Lambarâenâe (Moyen-Ogoouâe)    11. Medical - General    12. Missionaries, Medical    13. Modern - 20th Century    14. Musicians    15. Religious    16. Schweitzer, Albert,    17. Strasbourg (France)    18. Theologians    19. 20th century    20. Biography: general    21. Peace studies    22. Schweitzer, Albert   

Reviews (4)

THRILLING WORK OF HISTORY AND FICTION BLENDED
A thrilling combination of characters interwoven to reveal the lives of those common individuals who could have been our ancestors.Contains enough history to lend credibility and enough fiction to maintain interest.Factual enough to be educational.Recommended reading for those interested in the lives of colonial Americans.

What a bore!
Jimmy Carter cannot write fiction!His conversations are formal and lecturing.His main fictional character has no passion.This should have been a history book.The sections dealing in the pure history were interesting and informative although I did tend to lose track of which side he was talking about.

Perhaps he should stick to non-fiction.
I have thoroughly enjoyed several works of non-fiction by President Carter.And I greatly admire him.However, I found this a s-l-o-w read.Some parts of this book were very interesting to me because of the historical insights.But since it was a novel, I expected to find some central characters who reappeared pretty consistently throughout the book.However, just about the time I would become interested in a character, he abandoned that character (sometimes permanently and sometimes for several chapters), leaving me "stranded."
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Historical    3. General    4. Historical - General    5. History    6. Revolution, 1775-1783    7. Southern States    8. United States    9. War & Military    10. Fiction / General   

Reviews (4)

Excellent reading for students of medicine and public health
In reading the previous reviews, I must say that they are quite accurate in many of their findings - the style of writing tends to be verbose and there isn't much in the ways of "how to do fix the US health care system." But that is not what this manuscript is about.
Misses the biggest problems
This book does a good job at pointing out how broken the American health care system is.I really enjoyed the retrospective look at how we got where we are today.Some of the reasons for the problems are pointed out well, as in the discussion of community rating of insurance.Unfortunately, the book misses some of the most important reasons for the health care mess.The solutions proposed also strike me as at best unworkable.
Faults of Style and Substance
As a student of health care economics (due to being employed in a managerial position in a health care enterprise,) I embarked on reading this book with great anticipation and was left with great disappointment.My disappointment stemmed from faults in both style and substance.
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Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. Health & Fitness    3. Health Care Delivery    4. Health Care Issues    5. Health Policy    6. Health planning    7. Health/Fitness    8. Medical / Nursing    9. Medical care    10. Medical policy    11. United States    12. Health & Fitness / Health Care Issues    13. Health systems & services    14. USA   

Reviews (7)

Great book by a great man
Growing up in the 1990s, I was never familiar with President Carter or his specific policies.This book gives a very thorough and honest review of the major policy issues confronting President Carter in the late 1970s.If you think his presidency was a failure, you should at least take time to read about why he acted the way he did.He explains the seemingly endless energy debate in great detail and also what led him to give his infamous "crisis of confidence" speech.He gives a practically minute-by-minute account of the hostage crisis and how he worked (successfully) to win their release without nuclear weaponry or massive bloodshed. His coverage of the 1980 election was somewhat superficial so I suggest those interested in that election look elsewhere.If you are a die-hard Republican intent on bashing President Carter, this book is not for you, but if you are sincerely interested in knowing more about the Carter administration, then by all means buy it.Carter does try to justify his actions, but what presidential memoir doesn't?This is a great book that some of the other reviewers seem not to have read.

Embarassingly terrible...
I am one of those people that has to finish a book once I begin, whether it's great or terrible. I wished I wasn't after the first page of President Carter's memoirs. A good man but a bad president
Jimmy Carter is like Herbert Hoover in more ways than one.Hoover's memoirs are among the most lucid and insightful that any president has ever written.So are Carter's.Hoover was one of the most intelligent presidents we've ever had.So was Carter.Hoover translated Christian charity into concrete action all his life.So has Carter.But Hoover's presidency was one of the century's worst.Regrettably, so was Carter's.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. General    4. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (6)

A Beautiful Book that Covers a Place that May Not be here long.
This beautifully illustrated book is written by a collection of authors who have a love affair going with the birds of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Their writing, each on a different subject is filled with amazement, wonder and love for the area and its birdlife.
Beautifully done, very interesting
Absolutely beautifully done with brilliant colors and well-composed pictures this is a great joy to just look through for all bird lovers or fans of the Arctic Refuge area.But it does not stop there.The writers share their experiences in an excellent educational yet highly readable treatise on their particular subject.Together they introduce the fascinating world of Arctic birds to the reader in a way that is both informative and fun.So, how to you finish off such an excellent book?They added a CD in the back with various bird calls, songs, and peeps.Arctic Wings: Birds of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is highly recommended and a real joy to have around even just for the pleasure of picking it up once in a while and enjoying the pictures.

Birds of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
If you love: a)nature photography, b)the Arctic, and c)birds - this book is for you.It is over-sized and filled with beautiful colored photographs of birds who come to breed in the Arctic.Plus, there are migration maps and essays telling you how the birds got to the Arctic.And there is a CD with sounds of the Arctic and many of the birds pictured in the book.It is a wonderful feast for the senses. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alaska    2. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge    3. Birds    4. Birds & Birdwatching - General    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Pictorial works    8. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals   

Editorial Review

When Jimmy Carter left the White House in 1981, he and his wife, Rosalynn, had to face the same questions many elder Americans encounter when retirement approaches: "How could we accommodate the unpleasant circumstances that had been forced on us? What were our assets and abilities? What were the dependable factors in a good life, and how could we recognize and develop them? Was it at all possible for us to be as satisfied in the future as we had been during some of our most interesting, adventurous, and successful times? Did we have anything much to offer in the years ahead?" In the years since, both Carters have become internationally recognized for their work as authors, teachers, and humanitarians, but as Carter amiably insists in Read more

Reviews (14)

How to enjoy being an old kokker
Simple, plain, clear good advice enlived by personal example and story. This is agood book about aging wisely, retaining one's powers as best as one can through the senior years. Former President Carter involuntarily forced to retire at fifty- six faced a double - crisis , identity and financial. He almost lost the family land and farm, but was savedwhen his peanut holdings were bought by a large consortium. He and his wife Rosalyn became active in new ways, as university teachers, writers, volunteer builders of one home for a needy person each year.
Another thought provoking book by Jimmy Carter
THE VIRTUES OF AGING by Jimmy Carter
Perhaps he's aged too long
Jimmy Carter used to be my favorite ex-president. Now, it seems he has aged beyond the point at which he can reason clearly. He goes on Larry King to criticize a former colleague (Zell Miller) for standing in support of the President, AND writes a book, for which he will probably make millions of dollars, to do more of the same. He is using his roles as elder statesman (well-deserved) and Nobel Laureate (well-deserved) to undermine our country; but seems to have forgotten that he was impotent while our hostages were held in Iran for 444 days. You know the saying: "them what can't do, teach". If one of the virtues of aging is exploitation of public opinion for your own advantage (or that of your party), Jimmy Carter is VERY virtuous. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Aging - General    3. Gerontology    4. Government policy    5. Presidents & Heads of State    6. Psychological aspects    7. Pyschological aspects    8. Social Gerontology    9. Social Science    10. Social aspects    11. Sociology    12. Biography & Autobiography / Presidents    13. Coping with old age   

Reviews (3)

It's horrible to see these attacks on Jimmy Carter...
It really is awful to see ideological conservatives give a critique of a book they haven't even read here at Amazon.
He tried
During the Carter Administration, President Carter had to deal with the deaths of his mother, sister, and brother, and that was near the start of his four years of Presidency. Then there was the Hostage Crises in Iran. President Carter had to try anything, and everything to get the hostages. It cost the lives of several soldiers when thier helicopter crashed in the desert. Essentially, President Carter got a raw deal. He was not reckognized by those who came home from Iran, or anybody else in the United States, as the saviour. President Reagan got that glory. And, at president Reagan's Inaugural Ball/Dinner, he did not even mention President Carter. This may sound like a put down of both administrations, but it is not. Both men had their faults, as does today's President Bush. I have the ultimate respect for President Carter. For somebody who will be 80 October 1, it does not surprise me thathe is still constructing houses, taking care of the other persons, etc.

Personal Beliefs of an An Honest President And Peanut Farmer
Nobel Peace Prize winner and humanitarian President Carter explains how certain events have influenced his life in this excellent autobiography.Although the book contains the words of a man that is not afraid to speak the truth, he does not go into details of the failed attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran. He micromanaged the rescue team from the White House, instead of empowering his men in the field to make any decisions.Unlike other presidents, he has not been bought off by corporate America. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baptist authors    2. Biblical teaching    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Christian life    5. Inspirational - General    6. Inspirational - Protestant    7. Meditations    8. Religion    9. Religious    10. Religion / Inspirational   

Reviews (3)

Good for novices to foster care system
The interworkings of social services and esp. that of foster care are complex and take much to understand. On Their Own is written at a basic level so the general public can understand what is going on. I have been a mentor and advocate for foster children for a year now and found the book helpful and inspiring. The back part of the book has detailed information on what can be done to help this problem. Some of the kids I mentor will soon be turning 18 and this has allowed me some insight on what to do.
Please read this book!!!
I hope that you take time out to read this book. It focuses on the lives of youth who are in foster care and the challenges that we face when we emancipate from the foster care system. This book is great for people who work in the social services field, who work directly with foster youth, as well as the foster youth themselves. I am in it as well, please read my story... pg. 109

The Saddest Story
What happens when Social Services fail you?And even though you've turned eighteen, or so it says on your birth certificate, you're still not ready for adulthood?Children in foster care face this dilemma daily, for as soon as they're 18, they're dumped from wherever it is that was paying for them to stay.The Williams brothers, three small boys, grew up tough, and in their different ways, Jermaine, Lamar and Jeffrey all tried to cope with a foster system that alternately coddled them and abused them.I was moved to tears by reading the account of Jermaine's last days on earth, simply written by ace reporter Martha Shirk.Happily, the other members of Jermaine's family are living still.Then there's Giselle, a promising young girl who unfortunately becomes prey to anorexia.All too soon, adulthood is upon her, while she's still struggling with a common problem of teenage girls.Liberals worry about these issues, while those of a more conservative bent argue that 18 is certainly old enough to expect a young man or woman to get out on his own and stop depending on charity or handouts.But Shirk and her co-author Stabgler admit there are no easy answers.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Studies    2. Foster Care Services    3. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Sociology - General    7. Family & relationships   

Editorial Review

If you've always wanted the opportunity to pull up a chair andjoin a Bible study with former president Jimmy Carter,