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A fantastic book about human nature, politics, power and followers looking to be stirred out of numbness.

Author Robert Penn Warren was the only person to have won Pulitzer Prizes for both fiction and poetry. The writing is rich, descriptive and thought provoking. I read this book over ten years ago, and I remember skimming through the rich descriptions of the narrator's thoughts and observations because I wanted to know how the plot progresses (its an exciting plot). But on my second reading I enjoyed these sections more and thought about the many insights on human behavior they offer. Lots of yellow highlighting.

This book probably enlightened me more than any other on how successful political movements with Charismatic leaders build an enthusiastic following ... and why it does not end well.

Warning -- it is set in the Louisiana of the 1920s and 30s and uses the language of the setting which modern readers will find jarring (mainly the N word).

This was an interesting and enjoyable book. I was a child when Carter was president. I remember hearing about most of the big world events covered in this book but as a child did not pay much attention: civil rights issues, bussing, stagflation, the energy crisis, panama canal treaty, camp david, the Iranian revolution and hostage crisis, the Reagan Carter election. This book gaves incredible details of what was going on behind the scenes. Carter had exceptional character - and that probably was his undoing as he made enemies from other politicians (even in his own party) by avoiding the typical game of trading favors. As biography it was a great story of a kid growing up in rural georgia, to the Naval academy, to the governor and Presidency, and then years of incredible work. Carter refused to make easy money by doing speeches and appearances for pay.

Great Book -- highly recommend it. I am glad I finished the book while Carter was (and still is in early 2024) with us.