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Summary: A president's boyhood that could be your grandfather's
Review: While the tale of Jimmy Carter's boyhood in Plains, Georgia, is compelling because it is the childhood of a president and renowned humanitarian, it is more than that. The language, which is simple but descriptive, lends itself to myth, making this story the story of boyhoods spent during the Depression. It's an American story, of a man who didn't have much extra in life, but was raised by a compassionate and strong, accomplished mother, and a stern and aloof and hardworking father, told with honesty, not idolatry. There are obviously many levels to this book; it's worth reading, and by the end becomes very personal and provocative.
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Summary: An educational and thoughtful read
Review: "An Hour Before Daylight" is a memoir from former US President Jimmy Carter, and it covers his upbringing in rural Georgia. Growing up in the South, the cadence of his writing is familiar to me and easy to read. For me, it is a lot like one of my relatives talking about the days when they were little. This book is not the typical autobiography, and the organization does not flow like a biography does. Although the book follows a logical pattern for the most part, the are a couple of sections where he goes back and forward in time which slightly disorients. This adds to the narrative because it has more of the feel of someone actually telling you this while you sit out on the porch after supper. He discusses conversations with his Uncle Buddy who tells him about the early generations of the family. The reader will get a sense for how far back the Jimmy Carter's roots in the South go. Carter is showing you his sense of history and perspective to help you understand where, and when, he came from. The recollections don't come at the beginning of the book where you might think, but rather later as a kind of side note. He also does explain things in a bit more detail. For instance, he talks about farming when he was young. Not only does he tell you how difficult it could be, but he also discusses briefly how government programs and the economy affected that particular way of life. Knowing the world that Jimmy Carter grew up in is enlightening. It does add to my respect for the man. I would recommend this book to learn more about Jimmy Carter, but also to see what the South was like from the perspective of someone who lived there.
Rating: 
Summary: An hour before daybreak
Review: I have always had great admiration for Jimmy Carter, and this book only confirmed it. It is beatifully written and gives a fine discription of what it was like living in the south. I was not born in this country and this book gives a vivid description of what it was like to grow up in the south in a different time. His relationship with the black share croppers is very moving and it is now easier to understand the compassion Jimmy Carter always has shown for his fellow man. Bravo to Jimmy Carter.
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Summary: Worth Reading
Review: I was 5 years old when Jimmy Carter left office. As a child I remember hearing that he was just a peanut farmer. I didn't realize until later that going from peanut farmer to president was part of the American Dream. As an adult I have come to appreciate and admire Jimmy Carter for his character, I wanted to know more about his life, and was anxious to read An Hour Before Daylight. An Hour Before Daylight is a charming book. What struck me most was the humility with which the autobiography was written. At times it seems the book is more about Jimmy Carters childhood friends and his family, than himself. Most of the direct references to his behavior are times he had to be punished or when he made mistakes. Really it is not a book about one man, but about a farm, its owners and workers, in the segregated South. Aside from being about a past US president, this book provides an intimate window into life in the South. It will be warm and typical to those raised in the South. To me, being raised and schooled in the Midwest, it was a peak at a culture I never totally understood. The book is written with unusual frankness, and provides details, which others certainly would have left out, rather than embarrasses themselves or their families. Defiantly a worthwhile read.
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Summary: A thouroughly enjoyable book
Review: Even if this book was not written by a past President, it would be a great read. For an urban Yankee like me, this story of a rural Southern boyhood was fascinating. It's hard to imagine a boy who grew up barefoot and worrying about being able to handle a plow becoming President of the United States. His style is easy and warm. There are lots of interesting stories about share croppers, race relations, farming, and things I have no way of knowing about, thus it gave me an insight into a culture totally different from mine. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!
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Summary: Jimmy Carter's Best Book
Review: Those who are not fans of former President Jimmy Carter may choose to ignore this book and his others. However, that would be a mistake. This book isn't about politics, its simply a memoir of a boy who grew up in the rural south during the 1930's. Its a down-to-earth and fascinating description of the way Jimmy, his family, and other Georgians lived during that time period which is also known as "The Great Depression". Those people who may appreciate his writings the most are probably those who lived through the time period. However, I think Jimmy really intended his book as an educational tool for the younger generation. Jimmy primarily tells the story through experiences he had with a variety of people: His father, James Earl (a stern but capable father), his mother, Ms. Lillian (who defied stereotypes of the day and worked outside her home), several black share croppers he knew well, his Uncle Buddy, and finally his sisters and brother. Its a highly readable account of lifestyles and the problems rural farmers faced because of the Great Depression. One part that has stayed with me was his father's angry reaction to having to plow his cotton crop underground one year because of New Deal agriculture policies designed to keep the price of cotton up. Jimmy recounts how everyone struggled to keep their farms and businesses afloat under the most difficult circumstances. He describes most of the people in the book in very positive terms. Most of the people were hard-working, courageous, friendly, and law-abiding. Virtues which many of us find absent in today's world. There is an innocence and decency to his childhood that seems to have permanently vanished. The only fault I could find with this book is that I think, at times, Jimmy takes too "rose colored" a view of the past. He does admit to problems.....the discrimination encountered by black people in the south, the poverty of many rural farmers, lack of access to medical care, etc. However, these seem to be sidelights to the rest of the story. The reality is that conditions were so hard that people lead shortened lives because of them. Discrimination against black people required that they attend segregated schools, eat in segregated restaurants, and run the risk of being lynched if they ever uttered a word of complaint. These social problems deserve more comment and condemnation than they get in this book. On the balance, this book is a highly readable account of life in the 1930's. Its a wonderful way to educate people who have no idea how people lived during this period about their way of life. If one reads no other book that Jimmy Carter has written, I would recommend this one.
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Summary: Powerful images of rural life and family
Review: I decided to read this book because of my admiration of Mr. Carter as a peacemaker, politician, and philanthropist. The book carefully defines and builds the images of his childhood environment; the town, his family, and their friends. The striking contrast between this simple and straightforward life and today's world became the immediate message I began to deduct from the author's meticulously crafted recollection. However, I soon began to see that what the book revealed was the power of the relationships of this time, of this era, and the honesty in which Mr. Carter illustrates the impact of these interactions. Mr. Carter's love and admiration of his father was a significant factor in the book. However, two other stories included in this novel touched me the most. His mother, Lillian, was a nurse, whose role as a healthcare worker in the time of the book was much more than the role we associate that profession with today. The description of those duties within the hospital and community, as well as her straightforward provision of care details the strength of this woman and the impact it had within her family. It also serves as food for thought in today's atmosphere of HMO's, Managed Care, etc; here was a woman whose goal was to help people, regardless of situation, ability to pay, or race. Secondly, the influence and significance of African Americans within Mr. Carter's life is lovingly and honestly expressed. His friendships and love of neighbors during a time different than our own, and how these people shaped his character, lends thought to finding value in the true nature of our friends, rather than the social attitudes which can serve as barriers even to this day. I highly recommend this book, as its messages and images will stay with you and give you some serious thoughts on basic yet essential approaches to life and what is most important.
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Summary: Fascinating memoir
Review: This book is a fascinating look at growing up in depression-era Georgia. Time and again the author dispels this reader's preconceptions of living conditions, race relations, and rural life in general. Told in a breezy, chatty format (a little confusing at times, since it's not strictly chronological), this book is a terriffic read, with choice anecdotes spread throughout. If you're a suburban guy like me, this book is almost a document of life on another planet. If you're a Republican partisan, this book will open your eyes to the background of the most decent, honorable President of our lifetime.
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Summary: This is what a memoir is . . .
Review: I can't help wonder what some of the descendents of sharecroppers would think about Mr. Carter's book. It is evident that Mr. Carter is a decent and sincere man, embarrassed by the treatment of the black and less fortunate community in his time. His family was perhaps more caring and conscientious in their treatment of their sharecroppers than other families, but the system to keep the sharecroppers "in their place" was evidently firmly ensconced in their society. It would be interesting to look at the story from the sharecropper's perspective. But the book is not intended to be from the sharecropper's perspective, and I am impressed by the candor and openness of our former President. I do not think the audio version is necessary to "hear" the story. The descriptions and tales of life in rural Georgia are portrayed with a remarkable reality. I could see it, feel it, and taste it-but that might have something to do with my memories as a child on a farm in southeastern Georgia. Although the descriptions are fascinating and the stories are interesting, I rate Mr. Carter's memoir with a 3. The descriptive style is sometimes tedious and boring, and the stories are from a limited perspective. While Mr. Carter honestly acknowledges his own humanity and is open about personal failings, the tone frequently is pious and condescending. Perhaps that is what a memoir is...and is the reason I prefer biographies to autobiographies.
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Summary: J Carter leads the way again, to understanding ourselves.
Review: Really terrific book. Carter leads then way again, this time to help us understand a part of ourselves, our culture, our history, that we have not had the courage to remember. We look backwards over our shoulders, and wince with embarrassment at that time in the south-- a time that doesn't make much sense now. But this book helps us look with nostalgia at the touching relationships we need to remember, and with stealthy bare honesty at the complicated mysteries. I grew up in the same places but a little later, hearing stories of my grandparents as farmer and employers of share-croppers-- later learning of slavery on the family farm. No one talks much about that time, and sacred secrets avoided can be felt even when they are not spoken. Carter helps us delicately peak at those dark secrets and to learn from them, while laughing and loving the memories of friendships.
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