Ask the Author: Jonathan Alter
Answered Questions (9)
Jonathan Alter
I'm in a book group in NYC. Someone in the group knew Jimmy Carter's grandson, and he brought the former president in to talk about Camp David. I realized that if Carter pulled that off, there must be more to him than the lazy shorthand: inept president/great ex-president. It also helped that my editor at Simon and Schuster, the late Alice Mayhew, was also Carter's editor. She got very enthusiastic about the idea--and I was off.
Jonathan Alter
I give rein to my curiosity.
Jonathan Alter
I just finished "His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life," which will be published Sept. 29. Please pre-order. It's a good way to get your Christmas shopping out of the way. Reading about Carter is also a relief from the toxicity of Trump.
Jonathan Alter
Same as KIPP motto: Work hard. Be nice.
The first is obvious; the second is important when trying to get publicity, and it's also the right way to behave.
The first is obvious; the second is important when trying to get publicity, and it's also the right way to behave.
Jonathan Alter
Seeing the finished book when it comes from the printer, and winning the respect of people your admire.
Jonathan Alter
When Richard Nixon was at Duke Law School, he was nick-named "Iron Butt." That's my remedy for writer's block: I sit in front on the screen for as many hours as it takes to start writing. Eventually, I get bored of not writing--and write.
Jonathan Alter
The late Pete Hamill's novel "Forever" so that I could live forever in New York and see how it changed since the 18th Century.
Jonathan Alter
"Evil Geniuses" by Kurt Andersen. "Rage" by Bob Woodward."Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World" (in galleys) by Fareed Zakaria. "1941" by Andrew Nagorski. "My Life in the Middle Ages" by James Atlas. "The Spymasters" by Chris Whipple.
Jonathan Alter
Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies. Donald Trump wins the election.
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