Thom reviewed The Outlier by Kai Bird
Review of 'The Outlier' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Excellent biography that focuses mostly on Carter's presidency and cabinet, the "Georgia Boys" who rubbed Washington society the wrong way. Uses declassified and recently recovered notes to great advantage.
I've read some presidential biographies, but most enjoyed [b:Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln|2199|Team of Rivals The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln|Doris Kearns Goodwin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347278868l/2199.SY75.jpg|2861004]. That book showed Lincoln's genius but also focused on the directions and goals of the men that worked with him. This book shows that some of Carter's "failing" is due to his cabinet, and why. In the end, this provides a complete picture of the presidency, which was rarely evident at the time.
With over a hundred pages of notes and index, it is also an incredibly thorough book. Makes an excellent counterpoint to some of Carter's autobiographies about his boyhood in Georgia. Didn't contain enough about Carter's post-presidency, where he has …
Excellent biography that focuses mostly on Carter's presidency and cabinet, the "Georgia Boys" who rubbed Washington society the wrong way. Uses declassified and recently recovered notes to great advantage.
I've read some presidential biographies, but most enjoyed [b:Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln|2199|Team of Rivals The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln|Doris Kearns Goodwin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347278868l/2199.SY75.jpg|2861004]. That book showed Lincoln's genius but also focused on the directions and goals of the men that worked with him. This book shows that some of Carter's "failing" is due to his cabinet, and why. In the end, this provides a complete picture of the presidency, which was rarely evident at the time.
With over a hundred pages of notes and index, it is also an incredibly thorough book. Makes an excellent counterpoint to some of Carter's autobiographies about his boyhood in Georgia. Didn't contain enough about Carter's post-presidency, where he has become the new standard for a Christian life. May have to read [a:Jonathan Alter|191014|Jonathan Alter|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1275240850p2/191014.jpg]'s recent book on Carter to compare. Regardless, this book on his presidency is well worth reading.