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“Important . . . [a] landmark presidential biography . . . Bird is able to build a persuasive case that the Carter presidency deserves this new look.”—The New York Times Book ReviewAn essential re-evaluation of the complex triumphs and tragedies of Jimmy Carter’s presidential legacy—from the expert biographer and Pulitzer Prize–winning co-author of American PrometheusFour decades after Ronald Reagan’s landslide win in 1980, Jimmy Carter’s one-term presidency is often labeled a failure; indeed, many Americans view Carter as the only ex-president to have used the White House as a stepping-stone to greater achievements. But in retrospect the Carter political odyssey is a rich and human story, marked by both formidable accomplishments and painful political adversity. In this deeply researched, brilliantly written account, Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer Kai Bird expertly unfolds the Carter saga as a tragic tipping point in American history.As president, Carter was not merely an outsider; he was an outlier. He was the only president in a century to grow up in the heart of the Deep South, and his born-again Christianity made him the most openly religious president in memory. This outlier brought to the White House a rare mix of humility, candor, and unnerving self-confidence that neither Washington nor America was ready to embrace. Decades before today’s public reckoning with the vast gulf between America’s ethos and its actions, Carter looked out on a nation torn by race and demoralized by Watergate and Vietnam and prescribed a radical self-examination from which voters recoiled. The cost of his unshakable belief in doing the right thing would be losing his re-election bid—and witnessing the ascendance of Reagan.In these remarkable pages, Bird traces the arc of Carter’s administration, from his aggressive domestic agenda to his controversial foreign policy record, taking readers inside the Oval Office and through Carter’s battles with both a political establishment and a Washington press corps that proved as adversarial as any foreign power. Bird shows how issues still hotly debated today—from national health care to growing inequality and racism to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—burned at the heart of Carter’s America, and consumed a president who found a moral duty in solving them.Drawing on interviews with Carter and members of his administration and recently declassified documents, Bird delivers a profound, clear-eyed evaluation of a leader whose legacy has been deeply misunderstood. The Outlier is the definitive account of an enigmatic presidency—both as it really happened and as it is remembered in the American consciousness.

Unveiling the Enigma: Jimmy Carter's Presidency Explored in "The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter"

In the realm of American history, few presidencies have been as paradoxical as that of Jimmy Carter. On the one hand, he was a man of profound faith and unwavering integrity, a champion of human rights, and an advocate for peace. On the other hand, his presidency was besieged by crises, both domestic and foreign, and he left office with approval ratings at an all-time low.

In their acclaimed book, "The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter," renowned biographers Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin delve deep into the complexities of Carter's presidency, shedding new light on this enigmatic figure and his tumultuous time in office.

The book begins by introducing Carter as an unlikely candidate for the presidency. Born in rural Georgia, he was a peanut farmer, a former governor, and a political outsider with no experience in Washington. Yet, driven by a sense of duty and a belief in his ability to make a difference, Carter campaigned on a platform of honesty, integrity, and a commitment to social justice.

Carter's presidency started with a bang. He achieved significant successes in foreign policy, including brokering peace between Israel and Egypt at Camp David and negotiating the return of the Panama Canal to Panama. He also championed human rights around the world, making it a central plank of his foreign policy. However, his presidency soon encountered a series of crises that threatened to derail his ambitious agenda.

The most notable of these crises was the Iranian hostage crisis, which began in November 1979 when Iranian revolutionaries seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took American diplomats hostage. The crisis lasted for 444 days and became a major embarrassment for Carter's administration. Despite intense diplomatic efforts, Carter was unable to secure the release of the hostages before leaving office.

Domestically, Carter faced a stagnant economy, rising inflation, and an energy crisis. His efforts to address these issues were hampered by a lack of support from Congress and a public that was increasingly disillusioned with his leadership. By the end of his term, Carter's approval ratings had plummeted to just 34%, making him one of the most unpopular presidents in American history.

Despite these challenges, Carter left office with a legacy of significant achievements. He established the Department of Energy, created the National Energy Policy, and signed into law the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, which protected millions of acres of wilderness. He also appointed a record number of women and minorities to government positions.

"The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter" is a masterful work of historical scholarship that provides a comprehensive and nuanced account of Carter's presidency. Bird and Sherwin draw on extensive research, including interviews with Carter himself, to offer a balanced and insightful analysis of his strengths, weaknesses, and lasting impact on American history.