Jonathan Alter

Very well researched and written, though wish there had been more on his post-presidency.

Surprised to come away with a less favorable view of Carter. His inability or unwillingness to compromise with fellow Democrats (e.g. Ted Kennedy—who deserves plenty of blame on his own—on healthcare, even Clinton and Obama after he left the presidency) stunned me. Though he was a total stud on the environment!

What book did the rest of y'all read? I want my time back! I was super-psyched leading up to publication, and even more so after reading the prologue. I get not wanting to sugarcoat a historical figure's failings, but this goes above and beyond. In fact, I'd say there was more painting Carter as petty, vengeful, and overly demanding than there was describing his significant political successes (and failures) and humanitarian work (which is truly given short-shrift). That is, the 800 pages show more seem skewed toward Carter's personality and demeanor.

So, how about this? "Author's note: Jimmy Carter has always been a two-faced, racist, petty, vengeful, demanding so-and-so." Then, see if this puppy couldn't get cut down to around 200 pages. Better yet, just fill however many pages are actually necessary to describe the substance of Carter's political and humanitarian work, without making him sound like the devil incarnate. show less

Barack Obama is not a saint. What a relief. "The Promise: President Obama, Year One", written by Jonathan Alter, a "Newsweek" reporter, is a refreshing change from the worshipful treatment of President Obama in "Game Change". Mr. Alter provides an even-handed treatment of the first year of the Obama presidency. He shows us a president who is all too human, making mistakes in both personnel and policies but mostly getting it right.

The reader is provided with thorough background information show more on all of the major players in President Obama’s administration. I was especially fascinated by the description of Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel’s agonizing decision whether to take the job as Chief of Staff or remain in the House, eventually succeeding Nancy Pelosi to become the first Jewish Speaker of the House. First Jewish Speaker? I had no idea that anyone thought that way in the 21st century. I thought that we had put silly religious issues behind us. I’m old enough to remember when (Catholic) JFK was running for the presidency and voters (including my Goldwater Republican parents) were terrified that if he were elected, the Pope would be running the country. As history reminds us, JFK was elected and governed the country without the Pope.

First Lady Michelle Obama is treated respectfully. I was surprised to learn that despite her husband never having been subject to rumors of infidelity, she is described as “a tiger when it came to Barack and other women”, the example of Halle Berry’s enthusiasm in campaigning for Obama prompting the future First Lady to forbid her husband to appear with her.

Mr. Alter’s previous book, "The Defining Moment: FDR’s Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope", dealt with FDR and the New Deal. Not surprisingly, he frequently draws parallels between President Obama’s first year in office and FDR’s first year in office. Both entered office faced with a collapsing economy. Both were forced to clean up the messes left by the previous administrations. And both passed landmark legislation in their first year, Social Security by FDR and health care reform by Obama.

It’s often difficult to end a book of this length and breadth, especially with the protagonist still early in his administration and still likely to continue making history, but I found the ending to this book very satisfying. The long, drawn-out battle for health care reform takes up most of the book, but in the end the reader is reminded of President Obama’s other first year accomplishments such as banning pay discrimination against women (always close to my heart), health insurance for millions of children, tightened rules governing credit cards and the crackdown on predatory lending, achievements that have become lost in the noise and confusion of the battle over health care, but which are huge victories in their own right. show less

The man who STILL drives conservatives and libertarians bat-sh&t-nuts-crazy! Mr. Alter lays out just what FDR meant to the country. Alter, to his credit, makes this an exciting insightful read by concentrating on the intangible net-worth of FDR's confidence and his message of hope for a country knocked on its ass during the Great Depression.