Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Easton Press (2010), Edition: First
Description
The edited, annotated diary of President Jimmy Carter--filled with insights into his presidency, his relationships with friends and foes, and his lasting impact on issues that still preoccupy America and the world.
Media reviews
“Keeping Faith” was criticized as sanctimonious and unreflective, and unfortunately these qualities show up here — no surprise to those who either love or despise Mr. Carter for his advocacy of negotiating with Hamas and North Korea. Mr. Carter also has a tendency to introduce but not
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explain certain subjects, understandably in diary entries. The annotations help but are too often self-serving. Yet patient readers will find “White House Diary” fascinating on two levels: the pace gives a sense of what it is like to be president, and the entries contain blunt appraisals of the people with whom he dealt. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member izzysbks
I was interested in this book because I was born during this time and President Carter addressed many of the issues that I feel are important and I wanted to learn more. Peace in the middle east, energy reform and the hostage situation were the issues that I wanted to learn more about but I found
This book has an interesting presentation. Carter's diary is presented by year '77-'81 and he writes notes on his entries to expand more on a passage or reflect on how the situation has evolved over the years since he was President. In this way its a lot like reading two Carters: President Carter and present day Carter. The diary presentation also reminded me of reading HST's books because of how HST would use letters to tell his stories. The difference is HST would have a off-the-wall take on issues because he had nothing to lose and Carter had to present a sober take on issues because he had everything to lose.
The white house diary shows the reader how Carter's term would from good to bad in only four years. I knew the out come would be Regan but I was surprised at how well Carter took to losing the election. His last year in the white house was a tough one and Carter seemed to be relived that his struggles wouldn't continue until '84. Carter also blasted Regan's lack of interest in the transition and continued to work hard as President right up until the end of his term resulting in the release of the hostages from Iran.
Carter offers a retrospect at the end of this book and it was helpful to gain insight on what Carter values in his life and how those values guided his term as President. This book isn't for everyone if you like sober, political reflections that deal with the legislative process like I do then this book is for you. If you want a more off the wall political take read HST's Fear and Loathing on the Political trail '72, Better than Sex, or Generation of Swine. If you want a more in depth study of the hostage crisis read Guests of the Ayatollah by Marc Bowden of Black Hawk Down fame.
I went to the library with a list of books and this one wasn't on that list but I'm glad I read it. Overall, if you are a liberal and enjoy the mechanics of the legislative process don't forget about President Carter read his book...you'll be glad you did.
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that there were many more issues that the Carter Administration worked on. One of which was the handing over the the Panama Canal which was a tough legislative fight according to Carter.This book has an interesting presentation. Carter's diary is presented by year '77-'81 and he writes notes on his entries to expand more on a passage or reflect on how the situation has evolved over the years since he was President. In this way its a lot like reading two Carters: President Carter and present day Carter. The diary presentation also reminded me of reading HST's books because of how HST would use letters to tell his stories. The difference is HST would have a off-the-wall take on issues because he had nothing to lose and Carter had to present a sober take on issues because he had everything to lose.
The white house diary shows the reader how Carter's term would from good to bad in only four years. I knew the out come would be Regan but I was surprised at how well Carter took to losing the election. His last year in the white house was a tough one and Carter seemed to be relived that his struggles wouldn't continue until '84. Carter also blasted Regan's lack of interest in the transition and continued to work hard as President right up until the end of his term resulting in the release of the hostages from Iran.
Carter offers a retrospect at the end of this book and it was helpful to gain insight on what Carter values in his life and how those values guided his term as President. This book isn't for everyone if you like sober, political reflections that deal with the legislative process like I do then this book is for you. If you want a more off the wall political take read HST's Fear and Loathing on the Political trail '72, Better than Sex, or Generation of Swine. If you want a more in depth study of the hostage crisis read Guests of the Ayatollah by Marc Bowden of Black Hawk Down fame.
I went to the library with a list of books and this one wasn't on that list but I'm glad I read it. Overall, if you are a liberal and enjoy the mechanics of the legislative process don't forget about President Carter read his book...you'll be glad you did.
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LibraryThing member HadriantheBlind
Interesting and revealing history of a president who had a lot of problems to deal with, but who still did as much as he could, and had a very productive post-presidency. Very interesting reading.
LibraryThing member DarthDeverell
In his preface to White House Diary, former President Jimmy Carter writes, “For the sake of compression I concentrated on a few general themes that are still pertinent – especially Middle East peace negotiations, nuclear weaponry, U.S.-China relations, energy policy, anti-inflation efforts,
One particularly unique feature of this book is that it allows the reader to track President Carter’s policies as they evolved over the course of his term. One of his major victories while in office was the creation of the Department of Education as a distinct cabinet department from the Department of Health. Discussing education policy, Carter writes, “With [Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Joe] Califano I went over elementary- and secondary education proposals for 1978. Our educational system is discouraging. We ought to go into a rigid testing program, emphasize reading capability at the fourth-grade level and mathematics at a higher level, broaden representation of the poor in the educational process, equalize state funding, including parents in the teaching process, restore school buildings to the center of community activity, et cetera” (pg. 145). Later, on September 26th, 1979, Carter writes, “We’re making an all-out press for the Department of Education. The opposition is formidable with abortion, busing, private schools, and other issues being foisted on the bill. Frank [Moore] and his staff said we could not change any votes, but I got aggravated and we started trying again. I spent a lot of time calling members to support our legislation” (pg. 358). Carter reflected later on, “To see the establishment of an independent Department of Education had been a goal of mine ever since I served as chairman of our county’s board of education in the 1950s. For years, the vital subject of education was overshadowed by health and welfare; when HEW did focus on education, most of its attention was dedicated to judicial contests regarding such issues as busing students, equal opportunity for female athletes, and the role of the federal government in state and local education systems. My hope and expectation were that the new department would devote almost all its resources to making an effective contribution to education and supplementing the primary roles of state and local governments” (pg. 426).
At times, President Carter’s musings seem particularly prescient given our current political situation. Forecasting the rise of white-nationalist evangelicalism, Carter writes, “I met a group of national religious leaders who are even more concerned than I about the right-wing radical TV religious performers who equate a belief in Christ with the embracing of right-wing South American dictators, opposition to ERA, and a move to abolish the Department of Education. They are a threat to the Christian faith and trying to promote themselves through political means into a nationwide force” (pg. 454). Further, he demonstrates the consistent concern with drug use, and abuse, by policymakers. Carter writes on November 7th, 1977, “I met with the Council on Drug Abuse, and we’re making some progress under Dr. Bourne’s leadership. The heroin purity on the streets is the lowest in seven years, the price is up 25 percent, and this year the National Crime Index is down 7 percent. We’re moving on legal drugs like barbiturates, Valium, and others and trying to make some progress on the treatment of drug and alcohol abusers” (pg. 131). Carter discusses at several points the importance of treatment over punishment, a theme that medical professionals consistently urge 40 years later.
President Carter’s commitment to global peace and honesty with the American people pervades this account. Even as he struggled during his term, one can read the hope he held both for the people he served and for their future. In his conclusion, Carter honestly discusses areas where he feels the administration fell short or where new problems would prevent the type of active governing he championed during his term. Both for historians and those seeking to learn more about Jimmy Carter, this is a must-read.
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health policy, and my relationships with Congress. I also included some elements of my personal life that illustrate how it feels and what it means to be president” (pg. xiv).One particularly unique feature of this book is that it allows the reader to track President Carter’s policies as they evolved over the course of his term. One of his major victories while in office was the creation of the Department of Education as a distinct cabinet department from the Department of Health. Discussing education policy, Carter writes, “With [Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Joe] Califano I went over elementary- and secondary education proposals for 1978. Our educational system is discouraging. We ought to go into a rigid testing program, emphasize reading capability at the fourth-grade level and mathematics at a higher level, broaden representation of the poor in the educational process, equalize state funding, including parents in the teaching process, restore school buildings to the center of community activity, et cetera” (pg. 145). Later, on September 26th, 1979, Carter writes, “We’re making an all-out press for the Department of Education. The opposition is formidable with abortion, busing, private schools, and other issues being foisted on the bill. Frank [Moore] and his staff said we could not change any votes, but I got aggravated and we started trying again. I spent a lot of time calling members to support our legislation” (pg. 358). Carter reflected later on, “To see the establishment of an independent Department of Education had been a goal of mine ever since I served as chairman of our county’s board of education in the 1950s. For years, the vital subject of education was overshadowed by health and welfare; when HEW did focus on education, most of its attention was dedicated to judicial contests regarding such issues as busing students, equal opportunity for female athletes, and the role of the federal government in state and local education systems. My hope and expectation were that the new department would devote almost all its resources to making an effective contribution to education and supplementing the primary roles of state and local governments” (pg. 426).
At times, President Carter’s musings seem particularly prescient given our current political situation. Forecasting the rise of white-nationalist evangelicalism, Carter writes, “I met a group of national religious leaders who are even more concerned than I about the right-wing radical TV religious performers who equate a belief in Christ with the embracing of right-wing South American dictators, opposition to ERA, and a move to abolish the Department of Education. They are a threat to the Christian faith and trying to promote themselves through political means into a nationwide force” (pg. 454). Further, he demonstrates the consistent concern with drug use, and abuse, by policymakers. Carter writes on November 7th, 1977, “I met with the Council on Drug Abuse, and we’re making some progress under Dr. Bourne’s leadership. The heroin purity on the streets is the lowest in seven years, the price is up 25 percent, and this year the National Crime Index is down 7 percent. We’re moving on legal drugs like barbiturates, Valium, and others and trying to make some progress on the treatment of drug and alcohol abusers” (pg. 131). Carter discusses at several points the importance of treatment over punishment, a theme that medical professionals consistently urge 40 years later.
President Carter’s commitment to global peace and honesty with the American people pervades this account. Even as he struggled during his term, one can read the hope he held both for the people he served and for their future. In his conclusion, Carter honestly discusses areas where he feels the administration fell short or where new problems would prevent the type of active governing he championed during his term. Both for historians and those seeking to learn more about Jimmy Carter, this is a must-read.
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LibraryThing member thewestwing
Overall I enjoyed this book. I have always had a soft spot for President Carter and I enjoyed reading his take on events as he progressed through his presidency. What struck me most was his intense disdain for the media and the similar problems that he encountered that President Obama now faces. I
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loved the fact that he added in commentary to parts of the diary entries to further explain or update about events/issues/people. This gave a real insight to his mind. Some have said that the book was at times tedious. It's a diary and it goes through his day-to-day affairs. I didn't expect to be on the edge of my seat while reading it, instead I hoped to appreciate the time and issues that he faced/ It gives a great glimpse into the late 1970s and the state of America and the World. It was interesting for me to see how the Cold War played out in those years before Reagan and I also wanted to gain more insight to the Camp David Accords. I would recommend this book to anyone he wants to gain a greater understanding of the Carter Presidency, rather then someone who is looking for an autobiography. Show Less
Original publication date
2010
Local notes
Signed