The Blood of Abraham: Insights Into the Middle East

by Jimmy Carter

New edition (previous 1985, 1986, 1988, 1993) of the former president's history and analysis. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, Middle East

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

James Earl Carter, Junior, known as Jimmy, the thirty-ninth president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, creditably established energy-conservation measures, concluded the treaties of Panama Canal in 1978, negotiated the accords of Camp David between Egypt and Israel in 1979, and won the Nobel Prize of 2002 for peace.

Ronald Wilson Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter, the incumbent, in the presidential election of 1980.

He served and received. Carter served two terms in the senate of Georgia and as the 76th governor from 1971 to 1975.

Carter created new Cabinet-level Department of education. A national policy included price decontrol and new technology. From 1977, people reduced foreign oil imports one-half to 1982. In foreign affairs, Carter pursued the second round of strategic arms limitation talks (SALT). Carter sought to put a stronger emphasis on human rights in 1979. People saw his return of the zone as a major concession of influence in Latin America, and Carter came under heavy criticism.

Iranian students in 1979 took over the American embassy and held hostages, and an attempt to rescue them failed; several additional major crises, including serious fuel shortages and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, marked the final year of his tenure. Edward Moore Kennedy challenged significantly higher disapproval ratings of Carter for nomination of the Democratic Party before the election of 1980. Carter defeated Kennedy for the nomination lost the election to Ronald Wilson Reagan, a Republican.

Carter left office and with Rosalynn Smith Carter, his wife, afterward founded the nongovernmental center and organization that works to advance human rights. He traveled extensively to conduct, to observe elections, and to advance disease prevention and eradication in developing nations. He, a key, also figured in the project of habitat for humanity. Carter particularly vocalized on the Palestinian conflict.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/jimmyc...

Reviews

[Book2Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lesson in the history of the Middle East/Arab/Israeli conflict in 1983 from the President who aided in the Camp David peace accord between Israel and Egypt. He discusses each Middle East player in detail and the hopes and roadblocks to Peace.

I found this book especially powerful with the current Israeli/HAMAS war. What is particularly sad, as in the case of all wars (but seemingly more prevalent lately) is the loss of civilian life. Perhaps that is the saddest thing in all wars--the loss of human life.

An important book. Thank you President Carter.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be 5 stars if not published in '85. Carter does a great job of explaining the different points of view in the Middle East in regards to the tensions between the Israelis and Arabs (including Palestinians) and what needs to be done to facilitate peace. He feels the main obstacles are recognition of the right of Israel to exist and a "homeland" for the Palestinians.

[Karen Shilvock-Cinefro · Rating 4 out of 5]

With all the continued turmoil in the Middle East this book gives a good historical view and personal view by President Jimmy Carter of his experiences in the Middle East both as President and after his administration.
Jimmy Carter makes a very profound and and fitting statement for today,
“A genuine move toward peace light bring rich dividends by arousing support in the United States and other nations. There are many Israelis who believe that the Palestinians deserve a homeland and their basic rights including the right of self-determination, should be honored. The fate of four million Palestinians depends on whether the PLO chooses to pursue its goals by peaceful means or by continued bloodshed.”
Unfortunately, all we need to do is insert Hamas in place of PLO.
I am saddened that, in Jimmy Carter’s lifetime, he will not be able to see peace in the Middle East.
Genesis 4:9-11 was the story’s start, and now, “The spilled blood in the Holy Land still cries out to God-an anguished cry for peace.”

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly short summary of the recent history of the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Although some of the information is dated (the book was mostly written after Carter left office in 1985), it is really interested to get not only Carter's grasp of the situation but also some insight into the thoughts and motivations of the various personalities leading the countries of the Middle East.

Carter's personal feeling that peace was close at hand after the Egypt-Israel settlement (during his presidency) leaves me with a little less optimism that this will ever be resolved. It always seems to be one step away from real progress.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. The pro’s: sectioned off by country, gives good primer on the biblical and political histories, generally accepted ideologies and tenets of each country’s position (largely unchanged sonce the 80s), state of the nation up to c. 1980s, soft spoken failures of the U.S.’ handling of some of these nations. The cons: U.S. bias is so loud its distracting, obnoxious personal perspectives trying to explain causation like only an imperialist power could, annoyingly irrelevant details of JC’s narrative and experiences in each country. Best parts focus on the honest revelation of of events leading up to, during and post-Egypt/Israel Camp David peace talks in 1977-8. Honest bc it discusses the wins and losses for all parties, including the collateral damage falling out post peace talk.

[Tim Sweeney]

I read much of this somewhere in my late teens to mid-twenties. My big take away from this book was that historically, the Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions all traditionally come from the children of the Old Testament figure, Abraham.

Judaism and Christianity from his son, Isaac. Islam extending from Abraham's son Ismael who was born of a different mother while Abraham's wife, Sarah, was believed to be not able to bear children as described in the book of Genesis.

Again, more in common than we realize as in life so many times.

That a president would learn, research and write a book on such an important topic is great. President Carter has for years had one of the best post presidential lives on any president in history.

[Connie]

Excellent history with personal touch since JC has a hx. with the leaders of the Middle East from Presidency and Carter Center. I have the utmost respect for Jimmy Carter given his true devotion to peaceful problem-solving and conflict resolution throughout the globe. A true diplomat and statesman. I am sorry he was not appreciated when he was in office. It was very enlightening to know that there are UN resolutions and other agreements governing relations with Israel but simply not adhered to.

[Daniel Spangler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't recommend this book unless maybe you are trying to get a perspective on the Middle East from the early 80s. The writing is pretty dry. There doesn't really seem to be a strong statement of anything really. It's very formulaic, almost like you might be reading a state department briefing or something. The most interesting aspects of the book are his inside stories given his unique position as a former president.

[Abdul Rahman Abdul]

Author should have pursued Palestinian-Israeli peace process more vigorously when he was the President.
Where he is now, who listens?
Nonetheless, I wish to thank author for an insightful narrative on Mid-East, without which, the general populace only knows this subject through media reports only, which often are biased.

[Barb · Rating 1 out of 5]

Carter is not totally honest and presents history from his slanted view. He was a failed president and from this book (first of his I have read) he is also a failed author (if he actually wrote the book, which I doubt).

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

interesting, but i couldn't get into it

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is somewhat repetitive and some parts can be tiresome. But overall, it is a very informative look at the "behind the scenes" work done to facilitate the Camp David Accords.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revisiting this 1985 book in 2023 provided helpful background and perspective on the current situation in the Middle East.

[Diane Thayer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before starting this book, I did a bit of research to determine if it was still relevant. The biblical information, and how it relates to the contemporary conflict in the middle east is interesting. However, the discussion of "current" middle east conflict and politics leaves a decided gap between what was happening when the book was published and what is truly current in the middle east.

I had a hard time with this book and probably would not recommend to anyone unless they were highly motivated to learn about the middle east in the time of President Jimmy Carter.

[Brian Scroggin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. President Carter lays out the history from Biblical times up to 1985, when the book was published. He does not editorialize at all. He presents he country’s leader and their thoughts to what peace should be.

[Andrew Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

President Carter's passion for peace in the Middle East stemmed from his passion for Scripture. Dense read, but intelligent, direct, compassionate--in short, fascinating read. Especially with heightened strain in Israel/Palestine relationships once again currently.

[Charles M · Rating 4 out of 5]

rip Fidel’s bro :( outlasted Reagan though!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sets a good foundation for the history of each country (Arab and Israel) as of 1984. Gave a lot of great context for where things were at at that point and left on a note of hope. 40 years later, even 35, that hope had diminished.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book but it seems like he talked about this in another book he wrote. We have been always steps away from a Middle east treaty that something always gets in the way. I saw Pres. Clinton had a deal worked out for peace and then Yassar Arafat pulled out of the agreement. Since this book was written so much anger and violence have taken place we we never have peace there.