Former President to Sign Books in Raleigh

Carter

Best excuse to ride the Amtrak to Raleigh: Former President Jimmy Carter will be signing copies of his new book, "A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power," noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh.
What you need to know: You must buy your book from Quail Ridge Books (919-828-1588, 800-672-6789, orders@quailridgebooks.com). The President, who's now 89, will not personalize your book, sign memorabilia or pose with you for a photo. No backpacks, bags or purses in the store, though you may take in your phone, keys and wallet.
The late Duke novelist Reynolds Price called Carter a "canny and watchful" man. Carter has most recently parlayed those qualities into this book about how violation and mistreatment of women is rising throughout the world. Some selected scriptures, he writes, are interpreted "almost exclusively by powerful male leaders within the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and other faiths to  proclaim the lower status of women and girls."
Not surprisingly, in his and Rosalynn Carter's visits to 145 countries, Carter noticed a  more equal treatment of women in those areas where government and religion are sharply separated.