Remarkably, we also get Carter's retrospective comments on these topics and more: thirty years after the fact, he has annotated the diary with his candid reflections on the people and events that shaped his presidency, and on the many lessons learned.Ĭarter is now widely seen as one of the truly wise men of our time. We get the inside story of his so-called 'malaise speech,' his bruising battle for the 1980 Democratic nomination, and the Iranian hostage crisis. We witness his interactions with such complex personalities as Ted Kennedy, Henry Kissinger, Joe Biden, Anwar Sadat, and Menachem Begin. Day by day, we see his forceful advocacy for nuclear containment, sustainable energy, human rights, and peace in the Middle East. But this extraordinary document has never been made public-until now.īy carefully selecting the most illuminating and relevant entries, Carter has provided us with an astonishingly intimate view of his presidency. When his four-year term came to an end in early 1981, the diary amounted to more than five thousand pages. He offered unvarnished assessments of cabinet members, congressmen, and foreign leaders he narrated the progress of secret negotiations such as those that led to the Camp David Accords.

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 worldĮach day during his presidency, Jimmy Carter made several entries in a private diary, recording his thoughts, impressions, delights, and frustrations.

White house diary by jimmy carter