Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis by Jimmy Carter
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Book Reviews of Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis
Book Review: Fast Read
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was a great read. Very informative, full of truths. Every American should read this book. Way to go Jimmy!Book Review: Hope for America again
Summary: 4 Stars
I've recently read Jimmy Carter's book Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis. Written with great influence from his Christian perspective, the book veers from the oft touted rhetoric of many of today's more outspoken Christians, but aligns with the growing number of those who are calling themselves "red letter Christians".
I wasn't politically aware during President Carter's administration, but have been extremely impressed with the work he has done since his time in office. Through The Carter Center, the Nobel Peace Prize winner has worked exhaustively to promote peace and social justice, and has served as a shining example with his work with Habitat for Humanity. Though his presidency doesn't stand as highly revered or auspicious as many others who've served in my lifetime, his track record of having a relatively bloodless administration and the humanitarian efforts he has championed since give me great hope that there are still good leaders alive in America.
Throughout the course of the current administration, I have found it harder and harder to hold my head up high as a proud American. From entering into a pre-emptive war to opting out of the Kyoto protocol and not doing our part to protect the environment, there have been many times that I have actually felt ashamed. And with the rise of fundamentalism overtaking Christianity through heightened judgment and lust for war, I all but dropped my association with that tradition.
However, reading President Carter's book, with its call to uphold the true values of both America and Christianity, I am given new hope in the future of both. I feel that I can once again say "God bless America" without feeling like a hypocrite.
Book Review: When politics rule ethics, "ethics" are merely politics.
Summary: 4 Stars
Jimmy Carter's life has always been larger than politics. Studying physics and engineering, he graduated near the top of his Naval Academy class, and went on to serve in the US armed forces longer than any president since Grant, excepting Eisenhower. When one considers the diversity of experience, education, and awards (including the Nobel Prize) that the man has amassed, it seems that he could have few if any true peers in the global body politic. Because he ranges beyond the entrenched ideological bunkers, he is often a target for defamation.
The present volume, Our Endangered Values, contains few (but very few) points with which I would disagree, and these are rather `technical' exegetical issues that present no serious conflict with his thesis or conclusions.
While there must be the inevitable complaints that the book is `too religious' in its themes and conclusions, these are protests that merely demonstrate an ignorance of who Jimmy Carter is, and of where his moral and intellectual anchors are set. The book is an important and necessary discourse for those American "christians" who would wed God to Caesar, these same American "christians" for whom a political `righteousness'--the social-Darwinism of the neo-conservatives--overrules the teachings of Jesus.
The book is highly recommended, especially to American Christians.
Book Review: Unique view on the subjects
Summary: 4 Stars
"Our Endangered Values" takes a look at the environment, civil liberties, war, and the modern American political arena and the pressures exerted on politics by Fundamentalist Christians. And I must admit, Jimmy gives a unique view on the subjects. We get a bit of an inside story, like hearing about Momma Cass from the view of the ham sandwich.
The book is spread a little thin in some areas, but the main focus appears to be on why is healthy for America to maintain a separation of church and state; and how Fundamentalist Christians are trying to change that separation by applying political pressure. Jimmy seems to think this force is comparable to the nauseating pressure on spandex-biker-shorts that are several sizes to small worn by a fat man doing tai chi in the park and the concern is that fundamentalism and cellulite will cause a seam to burst. Jimmy thinks tolerance and diplomacy is the way to go, with war as a last resource. I have to admit, I agree with that.
So, for a bit of insight on religion and politics or at the very least some good arguments against bible thumping bile spiting fanatical types, give Our Endangered Values a decent leafing through.
Book Review: An examination of American policies
Summary: 4 Stars
Many books have been published in the last few years about America's lack of consistency in the last 9 years or so. Former Vice President , Al Gore, wrote The Assault on Reason which was a bold move for a former politician. Carter's 'Our Endangered Values' is in a similar vein.
Carter, backed by meticulous statistics, shows issues that are often overlooked by the popular press. For example, the US budget for malaria has been $90 million, but 95% is spent on consultants, and less than 5% on mosquito nets, drugs, and insecticide spraying to fight the disease. Federal policies from global warming to preemptive strikes are criticized.
Why didn't Carter do anything while president some might ask. Carter goes over his administrations policies and views, which almost all were removed by succeeding presidents.
There is hope. Many countries (The Netherlands, Germany, etc) are staunch on reducing carbon emissions, increasing peace, and increasing foreign aid. America can quickly follow their lead if people demand so.