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Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, died today at the age of 100. He was the oldest-ever former president of the United States. It is also worth noting that he was married to Rosalynn Carter for an impressive 77 years.

George H.W. Bush was the second-oldest former president, passing at the age of 94 in 2018. Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and John Adams take the next three spots (having lived to the ages of 93, 93, and 90, respectively).

Carter grew up in one of the toughest areas of the Deep South, without running water or electricity in a “assemble-it-yourself” kit home purchased from Sears.  But he was a bright student with a gritty determination and tenacious demeanor. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1947 before spending a half-dozen years in the Navy. Next he turned to the family business: peanut farming.

Between 1963 and 1975 he embedded himself in Georgia state politics as a state senator and then as governor. In late 1974 he announced his candidacy for president of the United States. Despite having almost no national standing he defeated Gerald Ford to become the 39th president of the United States.

Although I share the increasingly popular view that Carter’s presidency is under-appreciated, his four years in the White House sometimes seem the least exceptional years of his life. His 45-year post-presidency, however, is undeniably remarkable…and unmatched in American history among former presidents.

Although he could have retired to a life of comfort, solitude and introspection, he chose a path of service and humanitarianism. Among his many honors: the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and, somewhat ironically, the 2017 Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service. There may never be a former president who better exemplifies grace, compassion and service to others than Jimmy Carter.

As part of my biographical tour de force from presidents Washington to Obama I read five biographies of Carter. Two stand out as excellent comprehensive biographies while one is particularly notable for its coverage of his presidency.

Jonathan Alter’s 2020 “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life” is my favorite of the bunch. Not the longest biography of the Carter biographies, it is probably the most well-balanced and thorough. Carter’s early life is quite well-covered, his presidency receives as much attention as most readers will desire and it includes a generously complete review of his post-presidency. There’s a great deal to like about this book.  Rating: 4½ stars (Full review here)

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Kai Bird’s “The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter” was published in 2021. Similar in length to Alter’s biography, Bird’s book focuses significantly less on Carter’s pre-presidency and proportionately more on his time in the White House. But because Carter’s early years are so important to understanding his persona, I prefer the more balanced approach Alter provides. Still, readers who choose Bird’s “The Outlier” will find themselves well-rewarded.  Rating: 4 stars (Full review here)

Stuart Eizenstat was White House Domestic Policy Adviser during the Carter administration. As a result, he was afforded a front-row seat to much of Carter’s presidency. His old “White House notes” combined with insights gleaned from hundreds of interviews of other sources led to the gargantuan “President Carter: The White House Years” which was published in 2018. This notable book provides a thorough review of Carter’s presidency and brief but useful coverage of his pre-presidency. While this book may prove more “presidency” than some readers are seeking, it offers unique insights, surprisingly objective perspectives and uncommonly witty writing.  Rating: 4 stars (Full review here)

For a more detailed look at my tour through Carter’s biographies, see The Best Biographies of Jimmy Carter.