Gift of Peace

September 1, 2011

This informative biography examines how Jimmy Carter's Christian beliefs have influenced his actions and decisions throughout his life.

The chapters about Carter's early years are insightful in examining how growing up in the segregated South shaped his sensitivities to discrimination and inequality. Carter's sense of compassion and fairness was largely instilled by his mother's examples. Raum chronicles Carter's careers as naval officer, businessman and politician. Quotes from interviews and Carter's memoirs show how he relied on faith and prayer to guide decisions he made as president and throughout his life. Although his presidency is often characterized as weak, Raum notes Carter's significant achievements in championing human rights and Middle East peace, as well as his visionary energy-saving initiatives. His work as a humanitarian with the Carter Center and as advocate for Habitat for Humanity are, surprisingly, given less attention. There are odd superfluities in the text, such as the definition of "possum" in the glossary as an "informal name for opossum." Suggesting to readers that they "put into practice the teachings of Jesus Christ" to live a compassionate life like Carter's will probably put off non-Christians, but they are not the audience for this book anyway.

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November 15, 2011
Grades 6-9 The books in the Zonderkidz Biography series tell the lives of influential figures from a Christian point of view, with previous entries focused on Brazilian soccer star Kak and U2 bandleader Bono. The thirty-ninth president may not have quite the high-interest cachet as those two, but there's no denying his life is a model of dignity and compassion. Carter's Baptist upbringing has been a strong life influence, so it isn't a stretch when this title pauses to discuss how the former president would look to his faith for inspiration, guidance, and comfort, and nearly as much attention is given to his efforts to fight segregation throughout his career. Raum also discusses how Carter was ahead of his time as an environmentalist, approached diplomacy by waging peace, and became a leading figure for Habitat for Humanity. Specific detailssuch as noting that he began each morning in the Oval Office by reciting Psalm 19:14reinforce the religious subtext and solidify this biography as a nice option for Christian communities, though its message of fundamental human decency is appropriate for any reader.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)