One sentence summary:
A thought-provoking critique of the erosion of morality in American society by former President Jimmy Carter.
Book genre:
Non-fiction, political commentary, social issues.
Main topic of the book:
The book, ‘Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis’, explores the decline of moral values in American society and its impact on various aspects of American life.
Key ideas:
- The importance of moral values in shaping a society and its policies.
- The erosion of moral values in American society and its impact on individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole.
- The role of religious fundamentalism and extreme ideology in perpetuating this moral crisis.
- The influence of big money and special interests in corrupting moral values and political decisions.
Main parts of the book and a short summary:
- Introduction: Carter sets the stage by reflecting on his own upbringing and the values he was taught, and how they differ from those present in modern American society.
- Part I – A Crisis of Confidence: Carter discusses the erosion of trust in political leadership, media and public institutions, as well as the decline of moral values in American society.
- Part II – The Sources of Fundamentalism: This section explores the rise of religious fundamentalism and how it has influenced American politics and cultural values.
- Part III – The Abuse of Power: The author delves into the misuse of power and corruption, as well as the impact of big money and special interests on political decisions.
- Part IV – America and the World: Carter discusses the role of America as a moral leader on the global stage and the importance of promoting peace and human rights.
- Conclusion: The book concludes with a call to action for individuals and communities to take a stand against the erosion of moral values in America.
Key takeaways:
- The decline of moral values in American society has wide-reaching consequences, including a crisis of confidence in leadership and institutions, rising inequality, and social and political polarization.
- Religious fundamentalism and extremism have played a significant role in perpetuating this moral crisis.
- The corrupting influence of big money and special interests on political decisions and policies must be addressed in order to restore moral values and integrity to the government.
- America has a responsibility to promote moral values and human rights globally and to be a leader in promoting peace and justice.
Author’s background and qualifications:
Jimmy Carter served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981, and has been a longtime advocate for human rights and democracy both domestically and internationally. He is also a devout Christian and has written extensively on the intersection of religion and politics. Carter’s background and experience make him well-qualified to address issues of morality and politics in America.
Target audience:
The book is aimed at a general audience, particularly those interested in politics, social issues, and ethics. It is also likely to appeal to those interested in understanding the role of religion in American society.
Publisher and first publication date:
Published by Simon & Schuster in October 2005.