Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.), thirty-ninth president of the United States, is the author of thirteen previous books. In 1982 he became University Distinguished Professor at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and founded The Carter Center, which addresses national and international issues of public policy and attempts to promote democracy, protect human rights, and prevent disease and other afflictions. In 1991, President Carter launched The Atlanta Project (TAP), a communitywide effort to attack the social problems associated with poverty. He also teaches Sunday school and is a deacon in the Maranatha Baptist Church of Plains. For recreation, he enjoys fly-fishing, woodworking, jogging, cycling, tennis, and skiing.

"We are not alone in our worry about both the physical aspect of aging and the prejudice that exists toward the elderly, which is similar to racism or sexism. What makes it different is that the prejudice also exists among those of us who are either within this group or rapidly approaching it. When I have mentioned the title of this book to a few people, most of them responded, 'Virtues? What could possibly be good about growing old?' The most obvious answer, of course, is to consider the alternative to aging. But there are plenty of other good answers--many based on our personal experiences and observations. "

--from THE VIRTUES OF AGING