The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter

Kai  Bird published in 2021 his "epic" biography of former President Jimmy  Carter to rave reviews for being "superior history, superbly researched  and marvelously written."  Historian Douglas Brinkley praised the book,  "It is all here:  Carter's family values, rural religiosity, folksy  charm, staggering self-discipline, political acumen, brave adn visionary  presidential leadership, intrepid globetrotting for peace, poetic  soulfulness and ferocious intellect."  Bird, a northerner who was raised  in the Middle East by US diplomatic parents, spent years in researching  and writing on Carter, no small part of which was trying to understand  Carter's Southern roots and its influence and effect on his presidency.   His book is the most recent of three significant books on the Carter  presidency that have challenged the notion of a "failed" one-term  presidency.  he candidly discusses Carter's flaws and weaknesses, but  also the successes and achievements that have contributed to these more  positive assessments from historians.  Bird is an effective and humble  presenter who employs and exquisite and colorful storytelling, balance,  humor and wisdom from his accumulated recognition as one of America's  premier biographers.

Bird's biography of Carter will be available for sale and signing by the author at the lecture.

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Location:  The Performing Arts Center

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Presenter:   Kai Bird is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and journalist.  He  serves as Executive Director and Distinguished Lecturer of CUNY Graduate  Center's Leon Levy Center of Biography.  He presides over an annual  conference of biographers on the art and craft of biography each May at  CUNY Graduate Center.