An Hour Before Daylight: Rural Boyhood Memories

"An American classic." —The New Yorker

In his singular voice and with a novelist's gift for detail, Jimmy Carter, the bestselling author of Living Faith and Sources of Strength, recreates his Depression-era boyhood on a Georgia farm before the civil rights movement forever changed it and the country, in An Hour Before Daylight. The clean and eloquent prose of the former president evokes a time when the cycles of life were predictable and simple, and the rules were heartbreaking and complex, in a sharecropping economy.

Carter writes about the powerful rhythms of countryside and community, offering an unforgettable portrait of his father, a brilliant farmer and a strict segregationist who treated black workers with respect and fairness; his strong-willed and well-read mother; and the five other people who shaped his early life, three of whom were black. The author recounts a classic, American story of enduring importance, as he vividly depicts the powerful impact of his formative years on his subsequent life and career.

Through his captivating narrative, Carter provides readers with a sensitive and insightful portrait of an era that shaped the nation. His memories and reflections offer a unique perspective on the complex social and economic landscape of the pre-civil rights South, where the rules and traditions that governed daily life were often at odds with the emerging ideals of justice and equality.

The book's vivid descriptions and deeply personal accounts draw the reader into the world of Carter's childhood, allowing them to experience the rhythms and routines of a bygone era. From the hard work and simple pleasures of life on the farm to the social and racial tensions that simmered beneath the surface, Carter's narrative is a testament to the enduring resilience and spirit of the American people.

Through his masterful storytelling, the former president captures the essence of a time and place that has had a profound and lasting impact on the nation. An Hour Before Daylight is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and culture of the American South, as well as those seeking a deeper understanding of the formative experiences that shaped one of the country's most influential leaders.

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