President Jimmy Carter's newest book is a no holds barred condemnation of America's current leadership. The book is divided into several parts.

The first section of the book addresses President Carter's personal religious beliefs. He declares emphatically that he is an evangelical Christian. He takes issue it very clear that "evangelical" means spreading the word and draws sharp contrasts between his own personal beliefs and those of who he refers to as "fundamentalists." "Personal" is probably the operative word of his religion. He notes that while is decidedly a Southern Baptist that he is at odds with the Southern Baptist Convention; specifically over the issues of world peace and women's rights. Most readers of this essay will probably find this the least important and least interesting section of the book. I would argue that what he is really talking about is a "moral compass." In my opinion, humanism is a better instrument that religion and I found myself substituting "humanist" for the word "Christian" as I read the book. However, I suspect that President Carter would disagree, his personal faith and beliefs are obviously extremely important to him.

The next theme of the book is the concept of separation church and state. President Carter articulates the importance of this concept at great length. He quotes extensively from Thomas Jefferson. Indeed, the importance of Jefferson to Carter is apparent in several parts of the book. Carter, upon leaving the White House, received a plaque with a Jefferson quote stating pride in the fact that no hostile blood was shed during his watch as President. I also believe that Carter's religion is much like Jefferson's was; very personal and dedicated to following the life and teachings of Jesus rather than centered upon the dogma of any particular sect.

President Carter then expresses his opinions the importance of maintaining women's rights, support for the poor, and opines strongly against the death penalty.

Perhaps the strongest point that he makes in this important book is that the current administration has changed foreign policy. America has abandoned diplomacy in favor of preemptive war. What is to stop other countries from following our lead. It seems likely that the tragedy of September 11, 2001 was used an excuse to turn the diplomatic work of all administrations in the past 50 years on their ears and pursue military occupation as a means to further American goals. This is resulting in the opposite. Our country is losing our moral leadership and respect.

The final chapters of this book concern the almost unbelievable redistribution of wealth that is taking place. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are bleeding the middle class and becoming richer. Statistics show that the government is spending the same amount of money, but is taking in much less due to the massive tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations. This is causing a dramatic rise in our international debt. The Warren Buffet Berkshire Hathaway report states that within a decade from now international debt levels will be at roughly $11 trillion which will effectively change America from an Ownership Society to a Sharecropper Society.

--Wayne Wilson