7 Comments

Did Jimmy Carter say why his sister hit him with a wrench? Or tell you the details of the third incident with that sister?

Expand full comment

A person who beats a child has an anger problem.

Expand full comment

Haunting. LBJ had it easy growing up by contrast. I've often wondered about Jimmy's childhood, ever since I read the anecdote about the night of the Schmeling-Louis fight. The book is on the shelf, now I will take it down and read it.

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for this. What a powerful and moving portrait. What hard work! And how wonderful that, as you point out, Carter is living long enough to receive, and feel, the admiration and warmth he so craved -- and deserved--as a boy.

Expand full comment

Thanks for sharing this, Jonathan. In this brief excerpt, you've already show me a side of President Carter that was, perhaps, less know to most of us.

Expand full comment

It’s a beautiful excerpt from a wonderful biography - vivid, honest, and compelling. I didn’t appreciate Carter’s presidency, or his ability to overcome the Jim Crow South, until I read it. Kudos Jon on seeing what so many of us missed - and writing it while Carter was still alive.

Expand full comment

Splendid, colorful, detailed glimpse through time's window at the boy who grew to become a latter-day renaissance man. Jimmy, we never really knew you.

Expand full comment