Scan barcode
pamiverson's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting biography of Jimmy Carter, highlighting ways in which his Presidency was ahead of its time (e.g., climate change), while acknowledging his flaws (pride, perfectionism, detail-oriented) that led to his downfall. Many successes during his Presidency and afterwards, including important peace initiatives in the Middle East, focus on global health, and willingness to work with whoever could help him reach his goals. He continues to be avery admirable person.
mrpatperkins's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Alter justifies Carter’s accomplishments with plenty of research and insight, but occasionally he seems to be offering excuses for Carter’s actions.
jeremyanderberg's review against another edition
5.0
Let me say it from the get-go: His Very Best is just about everything I want and hope for in a big presidential biography. Alter tells an incredibly compelling story, clears up a lot of myths people have about Jimmy Carter (and the 70s in general), gives the reader an incredibly personal look at the man himself, and convincingly makes the case for the importance (not necessarily effectiveness) of his presidency.
Simply for the fact that the guy is still kicking, there haven’t been any full-scale biographies about Jimmy Carter. Surprisingly, though, there isn’t much out there about his presidency either. Thus far, the consensus has basically been that he wasn’t good as president but is as decent a human being as exists.
That story isn’t entirely rewritten, but Alter does add the necessary nuances. The Carter administration was far more impactful than it seems, but was largely done apart by two things: the conservative presidency of Ronald Reagan and the overshadowing of foreign affairs—mainly the Iran hostage situation.
Alter covered the political aspects of Carter’s presidency superbly. I’m a sucker more for personal details, so sometimes in a biography my eyes glaze over amidst the details of deal-making, but I was entranced on nearly every page of His Very Best.
As for the personal stuff, the reader gets a clear sense of who Jimmy Carter is as a human. While there’s not a “dark” side to the man like there are with a lot of leaders, there is a prickly stubbornness and a foolish unwillingness to engage in the optics of politics—which is a big part of why he served a single term and didn’t win re-election.
I can’t think of any faults with this biography, other than the fact that I wanted more. A deeper dive into some other players of the era would have been great, but asking for too much. I nearly impulse-bought Alter’s other three books, but I exercised some restraint, for now. I’m already excited to read ‘em someday.
On a related note, there’s another big Carter bio coming in the spring, authored by the illustrious Kai Bird. I’ll be curious to see how his take compares with Alter’s.
Simply for the fact that the guy is still kicking, there haven’t been any full-scale biographies about Jimmy Carter. Surprisingly, though, there isn’t much out there about his presidency either. Thus far, the consensus has basically been that he wasn’t good as president but is as decent a human being as exists.
That story isn’t entirely rewritten, but Alter does add the necessary nuances. The Carter administration was far more impactful than it seems, but was largely done apart by two things: the conservative presidency of Ronald Reagan and the overshadowing of foreign affairs—mainly the Iran hostage situation.
Alter covered the political aspects of Carter’s presidency superbly. I’m a sucker more for personal details, so sometimes in a biography my eyes glaze over amidst the details of deal-making, but I was entranced on nearly every page of His Very Best.
As for the personal stuff, the reader gets a clear sense of who Jimmy Carter is as a human. While there’s not a “dark” side to the man like there are with a lot of leaders, there is a prickly stubbornness and a foolish unwillingness to engage in the optics of politics—which is a big part of why he served a single term and didn’t win re-election.
I can’t think of any faults with this biography, other than the fact that I wanted more. A deeper dive into some other players of the era would have been great, but asking for too much. I nearly impulse-bought Alter’s other three books, but I exercised some restraint, for now. I’m already excited to read ‘em someday.
On a related note, there’s another big Carter bio coming in the spring, authored by the illustrious Kai Bird. I’ll be curious to see how his take compares with Alter’s.
kilgoreregal's review against another edition
5.0
This novel is an excellent and gripping trip into one of the most paradoxical and under appreciated politicians in this country’s history. This was a phenomenal read. Jimmy Carter’s persistence and morals should be heralded for future generations. A truly remarkable life and historical figure.
n_nazir's review against another edition
4.0
Super interesting biography of an incredibly complex man. The chapters on Carter’s White House years were fascinating in terms of seeing how many things were set in motion with regards to the political system that are still reverberating today. An intransigent GOP, a Democratic Party unable to hold a consistent party line and a press more interested in point scoring rather than reporting. The questions of likeability were interesting to me as well, as a personal preference, I would pick competence over likability in a leader but isn’t that the magic formula? The right combination of intelligence, competence and charisma? There is definitely a value to being able to connect with people but I still believe there is a tendency to overstate likeability.
Incredible man, very inspiring that even in his late 90’s he continues to be a force of nature.
Incredible man, very inspiring that even in his late 90’s he continues to be a force of nature.