His Very Best

His Very Best by Jonathan Alter is a captivating exploration into the life and legacy of Jimmy Carter, the thirty-ninth president of the United States and a Nobel Prize-winning humanitarian. In this highly acclaimed biography, Alter takes readers on an epic journey through the life of an enigmatic man of deep faith and strong convictions. From his humble beginnings as a barefoot boy in the Jim Crow South to his evolution into a significant global figure, Carter's story is one of resilience, intellect, and unwavering commitment to justice and truth.

Alter's narrative weaves together an intimate and surprising portrait of Carter, depicting him as a complex Renaissance Man since Thomas Jefferson. While initially ridiculed, Carter eventually became revered for his piercing intelligence, prickly intensity, and biting wit beneath his characteristic smile. This biography showcases Carter as a flawed yet underrated president whose decency and vision remain moral exemplars for our times.

Growing up in one of the harshest counties in the segregated South, Carter's early life on a farm without electricity or running water seemed more fitting for the nineteenth century. His presidency, however, placed him at the centre of major events in the twentieth century, while his later work on conflict resolution and global health positioned him ahead of his time, addressing challenges of the twenty-first century.

Described by The Washington Post as "one of the best in a celebrated genre of presidential biography," His Very Best chronicles Carter's transformation from a timid, bookish child to a determined naval nuclear engineer. His passionate, unpublished love letters to his wife, Rosalynn, reveal a depth of character and emotional honesty. As a peanut farmer and civic leader, Carter's guilt for his silence during the civil rights movement fueled his quest for racial justice both domestically and internationally.

As a virtually unknown, born-again governor, Carter's brilliant 1976 campaign dismantled the racist wing of the Democratic Party, catapulting him from obscurity to the presidency. Despite political failures amid the economic turmoil of the 1970s and the Iranian hostage crisis, Carter's presidency achieved significant milestones. He brokered peace between Israel and Egypt, established a historic environmental record, transitioned government policies from tokenism to diversity, set new global standards for human rights, and normalized relations with China among other visionary accomplishments.

After leaving office, Carter's contributions did not wane. He eradicated diseases, built homes for the impoverished, and continued teaching Sunday school into his mid-nineties. His post-presidential years cemented his legacy as a compassionate and dedicated humanitarian.

His Very Best is praised by The New York Times Book Review as an "important, fair-minded, highly readable contribution." This biography will transform our understanding of one of American history's most misunderstood presidents, presenting a compelling narrative that balances his achievements with his imperfections.