Carter observed that he “enjoyed writing” and that his books “provided a much-needed source of income.” But some projects were easier than others.
NEW YORK — No ex-president had a more prolific and diverse publishing career than Jimmy Carter.
He authored over twenty books spanning various genres such as nonfiction, poetry, fiction, religious reflections, and even a children’s fable. One of his notable works, “An Hour Before Daylight,” stood out as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2002. Similarly, his 2006 bestseller, “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid,” sparked significant controversy for drawing parallels between Israel’s actions in the West Bank and the oppressive policies of apartheid-era South Africa.
Prior to celebrating his 100th birthday, he was recognized by the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation with a prestigious lifetime achievement award. This accolade commended his use of language to promote peace, social equity, and a broader global understanding.
In a more recent publication titled “A Full Life,” Carter acknowledged his fondness for writing, highlighting the dual role of his books as a creative outlet and a vital source of income. Despite his passion for writing, he hinted that certain writing projects posed greater challenges than others.
“Everything to Gain,” a 1987 collaboration with his wife, Rosalynn, turned into the “worst threat we ever experienced in our marriage,” an intractable standoff for the facilitator of the Camp David accords and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
According to Carter, Rosalynn was a meticulous author who considered “the resulting sentences as though they have come down from Mount Sinai, carved into stone.” Their memories differed on various events and they fell into “constant arguments.” They were ready to abandon the book and return the advance, until their editor persuaded them to simply divide any disputed passages between them.
“In the book, each of these paragraphs is identified by a ‘J’ or an ‘R,’ and our marriage survived,” he wrote.
Here is a partial list of books by Carter:
“Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President”
“The Blood of Abraham: Insights into the Middle East”
(With Rosalynn Carter) “Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life”
“An Outdoor Journal: Adventures and Reflections”
“Turning Point: A Candidate, a State, and a Nation Come of Age”
“Always a Reckoning, and Other Poems”
(With daughter Amy Carter) “The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer”
“The Virtues of Aging”
“An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood”
“Christmas in Plains: Memories”
“The Hornet’s Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War”
“Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis”
“Faith & Freedom: The Christian Challenge for the World”
“Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid”
“A Remarkable Mother”
“Beyond the White House”
“We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work”
“NIV Lessons from Life Bible: Personal Reflections with Jimmy Carter”
“A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power”
“A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety”
