Our Endangered Values

Our Endangered Values addresses fundamental shifts in American values and politics from the perspective of former President Jimmy Carter. The book examines how religious fundamentalism and political polarization have impacted American society and governance. Carter draws from his experiences as president, humanitarian, and Baptist Sunday school teacher to analyze changes in public discourse and policy-making. His unique position allows him to speak to both religious and secular aspects of American life, addressing topics from nuclear proliferation to environmental stewardship. The text covers key social and political issues including the separation of church and state, abortion rights, gay marriage, and America's role in international relations. Carter presents these topics through the lens of his own religious faith while maintaining respect for constitutional principles. This work stands as both a critique of contemporary American politics and a call for renewed commitment to foundational democratic and religious values. The themes of moral leadership and civic responsibility resonate throughout the book's examination of American society.

Readers value Carter's clear articulation of threats to democracy and religious freedom, though many note his partisan viewpoint. The book resonates with those concerned about the mixing of church and state. Readers appreciate: - Personal examples from Carter's faith and political experience - Historical context for current social issues - Plain-spoken writing style - Focus on specific policy recommendations Common criticisms: - Too critical of Republican positions - Some arguments lack sufficient supporting evidence - Repetitive points in certain chapters - Occasionally strays from main thesis into tangential topics Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (280+ reviews) "Carter presents complex issues in an accessible way" - Amazon reviewer "The partisan tone undermined his otherwise important message" - Goodreads reviewer "His religious perspective adds credibility to arguments about faith in politics" - LibraryThing review

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🏆 The audiobook version won the 2007 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album 📚 Published in 2005, it became Carter's 20th book and quickly reached #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list ⚖️ Carter wrote this book partially in response to his concerns about the growing influence of the religious right in American politics during the early 2000s 🕊️ The book draws heavily from Carter's experiences as both the 39th U.S. President and his work with The Carter Center, which has been involved in peace and human rights initiatives in over 80 countries 🎓 Despite tackling complex political and religious topics, Carter intentionally wrote the book in simple, clear language, applying the same approach he used while teaching Sunday school for over 60 years