Historian reflects on friendship with President Jimmy Carter

On “The Final 5 with Jim Lokay,” presidential historian Dr. Larry Cook’s heartfelt memories of his twenty-year friendship with President Jimmy Carter.

Known for his extensive knowledge of presidential estates and memorabilia, Cook offered a unique personal perspective on the former president, who recently turned 100.

“I always say it comes back to this: He’s a man of faith and a man of principle,” Cook said. “Everything he has accomplished — during his presidency, after his presidency, even before his presidency — is all related to that.”

Cook’s bond with Carter began more than two decades ago when his wife surprised him with a trip to Plains, Georgia, for his birthday.

“We got to go to church and hear him teach Sunday school,” Cook remembers. “We even had our picture taken with President and Mrs. Carter. Later I wrote him a letter telling him how much we loved Plains, and he wrote back to us personally, inviting us to come back.”

This first meeting grew into a meaningful friendship, with the Carters eventually enlisting Cook’s help in selling presidential memorabilia to support historic renovations in Plains.

“We called the project *Plains Helping Plains*,” Cook said, adding that it strengthened their bond.

Cook spoke warmly of Carter’s humility and recalled moments that revealed his character. “When we had lunch together, he insisted we go first because, as he put it, ‘you’re the guest.’ He truly lives every moment of his life according to his values,” Cook said.

The historian also discussed the lasting impact of Carter’s post-presidential legacy, including his humanitarian work.

“He didn’t let politics change him. Whether in Washington, as governor of Georgia or as a private citizen, he remained Jimmy Carter at his core,” Cook said. “The man you see working tirelessly at the Carter Center or teaching Sunday school, that’s exactly who he is on a personal level.”

Cook’s treasured Carter memorabilia includes a leather-bound program from President Barack Obama’s 2013 inauguration, donated by the Carters. “President Obama later signed it for me, making it a beloved item in my collection,” he said.

Looking back on Carter’s legacy, Cook summed it up this way: “He set an example for what the presidency can be and what public service should be. He never wavered from his principles or his mission to help others.”

For more insight into Cook’s collection, visit larrycookhistorian.com.