11. Jimmy Carter wasn’t the only speed-reader to occupy the White House, but he was almost certainly the fastest and most dedicated to the skill.
The 39th President of the United States is perhaps best-remembered for his foreign policies rather than for his accomplishments – or, arguably, lack of them – at home. Additionally, Jimmy Carter is also fondly-remembered by many for his post-White House work, above all, for his tireless advocacy for peace and for his charity endeavors. One curious fact that’s often overlooked in biographies of President Carter is that he possessed a unique skill. Carter was a speed-reader. Moreover, he was perhaps the greatest speed-reader of his time, with his unique ability to absorb huge amounts of information helping him get to the top of American politics.
Even though he was capable of reading several large, complex books a week, carter was always trying to get better. Famously, while President, he hosted speed-reading classes at the White House. As well the Carter himself, the First lady, Rosalynn Carter, attended, as did several senior staffers. Interestingly, Carter was not the only speed-reading President. JFK was reported to be capable of taking in an incredible 2,500 words a minute just by glancing at a body of text. It’s also alleged that both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were also speed-readers, though they mastered the skill before the term had even been invented.