Wow! eBook
Historical Dictionary of the Carter Era
Author(s): Diane Kaufman (Author), Scott Kaufman (Author)
- Publisher: Scarecrow Press (UK)
- Publication Date: 1 Feb. 2000
- Edition: 1st
- Language: English
- Print length: 322 pages
- ISBN-10: 9780810878228
- ISBN-13: 9780810878228
Book Description
This rather special trajectory is explained in the Historical Dictionary of the Carter Era, with an obvious focus on his term as president. His run for the presidency and what he did during his term in office is traced carefully by the chronology. The introduction takes a longer view and also puts events in a broader context. Then the dictionary section, with hundreds of detailed and cross-referenced entries, tells us more about his policy in various fields but also how America changed culturally and socially during this period. The extensive bibliography points toward further information, although this book is certainly a good starting point and also a place to refresh one’s memory.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Approximately 400 cross-referenced entries chronicle the one-term presidency of Jimmy Carter, covering people, politics, society, and the culture of the U.S. during the late 1970s. An introductory essay provides concise yearly summaries of each of his four years in office, including information on the energy crisis, in 1977 and the Iran hostage crisis, of 1979-80. A chronology extends from December 12, 1974 (the announcement of his candidacy), to January 21, 1981, when he was sent to Germany to greet the embassy hostages on their release after 444 days of captivity. A substantial bibliography completes the work. Recommended for school, academic, and public libraries.
Independent scholar/archivist D. Kaufman and S. Kaufman are the editors of this latest volume in the “Historical Dictionaries of U.S. Politics and Political Eras” series. This reference book is a dictionary with all of the expected sections, including illustrations, a chronology of the Carter presidency, an introductory essay, appendixes, and a bibliographic essay. The single thing that makes this a unique volume is that it deals with the Carter era in general rather than focusing solely on politics. Readers will find material on literature, music, and world events that ties into the period from 1977 to 1981. Entries are organized in alphabetical order and include cross-references. Most items are brief, with the exception of the entry on Jimmy Carter, which is five pages long. One distinctive feature of the entries is that the names of major players and events appear in boldface in the text and refer to other dictionary entries. This single volume would be a great addition to a school or public library because it places people and events into a chronological historical context. Summing Up: Recommended.
Written by a history professor at Francis Marion University and a librarian this book offers a good overview of American life during the Carter presidency. . . .[T]his title serves as a helpful resource for anyone interested in learning more about this president and the era in which he served. . . .This source is recommended for public libraries and academic libraries that support the study of American culture, American history, and political science.
About the Author
Diane Kaufman has served on the board of Scholastic Books and was a reference librarian at the Manhattan (Kansas) Public Library. At the Newman Library of Virginia Tech, she was head of conservation. She has also headed the Western College Memorial Archives at Miami University of Ohio. With her husband, she was co-author of the Historical Dictionary of the Eisenhower Era.
Scott Kaufman is a Professor of History and Co-Director of the Robert E. McNair Center for Government and History at Francis Marion University, where he teaches American diplomatic and military history. He has long specialized in the Carter era, producing three books on it, among them Plans Unraveled: The Foreign Policy of the Carter Administration and The Presidency of James Earl Carter, Jr.
