Jimmy Carter in Plains book review by Jose Blanco

Jimmy Carter in Plains
Review by José Blanco F.
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois.

Blanco is the author of "Becoming Billy Carter" and was a leader in the creation of the Billy Carter museum in Plains, Ga.

Jimmy Carter in Plains by Robert Buccellato brings us ever closer to the background that Plains—a small Georgia town—provides in the life of the 39th president of the United States of America. Buccelato’s carefully researched and organized tome is clearly the result of a passionate project, digging as deep as possible into archives in order to create this fantastic visual panorama for Plains. As the author acknowledges in his introduction, Plains exudes contemporary American history in every corner from the Billy Carter Service Station to the Jimmy Carter’s boyhood home.
The book is organized in sections, allowing the reader to digest the large amount of photographs —accompanied by informative and intriguing information. Section One introduces the town and its most famous resident. We learn about Jimmy Carter’s childhood, family, earlier years in politics, and the beginning of his presidential campaign. Plains, as the “home of the next president,” takes center stage on the second chapter. Anyone who has been to Plains will enjoy the many images of the town, including the train depot that served as campaign headquarters. Those who have never visited should become intrigued enough to start planning a trip to Carter’s hometown. We are also introduced to key family and community members including Billy and Lillian Carter. A wealth of curious information is presented including the fact that many Plains residents were quick to sell their property for a profit during the campaign years. Part three is an exhilarating account of the election with a wealth of images that follow Carter’s every step to the White House. The section includes memorabilia and photographs depicting Carter’s campaign and even some material on President Ford’s reelection efforts. A variety of documents and images illustrate Carter’s move into Washington, DC including inauguration day and the first official photograph portrait of first lady Rosalynn Carter. The last section of the book recounts life in Plains, Georgia in the years following the Carter presidency including the town’s current status as a national Park. The story comes full circle with a series of images that inspire not only nostalgia but also awe at the remarkable story of the peanut farmer who became president and the town that still today frames his story.
Buccellato is a fine historian, weaving through images a story that will forever spark curiosity on the American public. The book is a fantastic archival testament to the timeliness of Jimmy Carter and Plains, Georgia.