Writers and historians alike have been fascinated with examining and reexamining Carter as a president, his post-Oval Office impact, and his legacy.
Here are five of the most widely read biographies of Carter:
The Unfinished Presidency by Douglas Brinkley (1998)
Brinkley's The Unfinished Presidency focuses on Carter's resurrection after his defeat by Ronald Reagan in 1980. The presidential historian provides observations of Carter's complex relationships with international figures, as well as his lifelong commitment to world peace.
Jimmy Carter by Julian Zelizer (2010)
Princeton history professor Julian Zelizer examines Carter's strategy as a maverick politician who was successful at communicating with and rallying voters disaffected by politics, but who faced challenges building a strong political coalition once in office. Post-presidency, Carter remade his image as a key voice for diplomacy and negotiation.
President Carter: The White House Years by Stuart Eizenstat (2018)
Authored by Carter's chief domestic policy adviser, President Carter: The White House Years provides an in-depth look at the Carter administration. The account draws on more than 5,000 pages of notes from meetings, as well as 350 interviews of major players of the time.
His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life by Jonathan Alter (2020)
In His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life, journalist Jonathan Alter traces the evolution of Carter's life — from his childhood on a farm to working as a naval nuclear engineer to his presidency and its aftermath — painting a portrait of a president who was flawed but committed to uplifting and serving the American people.
The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter by Kai Bird (2021)
Pulling from interviews with Jimmy Carter, his administration and relevant documents, Bird's The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter aims to redefine the legacy of the Carter administration, arguing that the 39th president has been largely misunderstood.
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