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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “I LOVE Sarah Vowell. The title may sound depressing but Ms. Vowell has such a joyful ability to make all history, even some of the lesser known corners of it so damn interesting and fun. She also happens to be hilarious. If high school students read this they'd be a helluva lot more interested...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“This is a book my wife and I listened to as we drive to doctor appointments, visited children, etc., so it took us a while to get through it completely. That is not to denigrate the book, which is wonderfully entertaining and educational. Ben (GR) and I have exchanged emails recently about whether listening to an audiobook can be considered "reading." This is a case where I think the book is actually better listened to since it's read by the author who has such a gravely and droll way of reading. It's delightful.
Eric w wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Vowell's description of staying in a bed and breakfast is priceless. It mirrors a stay my wife and I had where the other couple at breakfast bragged about the shooting club and contests at her son's school. Good liberals that we are, my wife asked who paid for all of that? "Why, the NRA, of course," was the reply. We couldn't wait to stuff down the sausages and get the hell out of there. Next bed and breakfast we go to I intend to get a certified letter attesting to the political affiliation of all the guests. Then, of course, there's always Super-8 as an alternative.
Lots of fascinating detail. I had no idea that the Virginia motto, sic semper tyrannis was yelled by John Wilkes Booth as he leeaped on to the stage after shooting Lincoln and that motto was worn on T-shirts by supporters of Timothy McVeigh along with assorted Confederate flags and symbols.
One learns a great deal too. For example, Dr. Samuel Mudd (a distant relative of Roger Mudd, the broadcaster) was convicted of being one of the conspirators who assassinated Lincoln. Vowell delves deeply and fascinatingly into the sequence of events, remarks on his heroic behavior during the malaria epidemic at the Fort (one of the largest ever built, we learn, after a hysterical, stomach-heaving boat journey) on the Dry Tortugas including efforts by his grandson to completely clear his name. I cannot recommend this book enough - but listen to it.
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“Fun book, I liked it a lot and did learn some things about varrious presidental assassinations. Fits well with the rest of Sarah Vowell's books. Definately recommend. ”
Kaitlin G wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I just discovered Sarah Vowell... and am so glad. Her mix of history, personal anecdotes and observations is right up my alley. I listened to this on audio, which made it even getter - her deadpan droll delivery had me laughing out loud! ”
Mary K wrote this review Saturday, October 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A friend who is a big This American Life fan turned me onto Sarah Vowell. I would read this book again and can already think of at least two people on my holiday shopping list would enjoy it. Vowell recounts her roadtrip(s) to visit historical sites associated with the assassinations of Presidents Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley. I appreciated her eye for irony and sense of history. The book is funny and not being a traditional historian, Vowell allows herself to get opinionated. The book also got me reacquainted with my childhood fascination with Lincoln's assassination (I was a macabre child) and reminded me that I had wanted to read some of the text from Lincoln's speaches. ”
Hannah F wrote this review Friday, October 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Fascinating read. It made me wish I knew lots more American history, because this book made me realize I don't know much! Sarah Vowell is a bit rambling with LONG sentences, but she has great humor and ties-in history from over a hundred years ago to what is happening today. I'd love to have dinner with here ... must be a very fascinating poerson ... love her insight and quirkiness!”
Diane L wrote this review Monday, October 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“She's so funny and she makes history come alive. I accidentally learned a lot. ”
Sarah O wrote this review Thursday, October 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“She makes learning about history passionate and fun. Well the morbid parts anyway.”
Ellen M wrote this review Wednesday, September 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I wish there was a rating for "couldn't finish it". I didn't "hate" this book but I certainly didn't enjoy it enough to give it more than 30 pages. The writing was good; however, the subject matter just didn't interest me. Maybe I need to have more of an interest in politics in general to really care about an entire book about the assassination of 3 presidents.....”
Mtnmoovr wrote this review Thursday, July 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book is a scream. One of my favorites. Sarah Vowell knows how to weave a story. A definite must read for book groups.”
Barbara T wrote this review Tuesday, June 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“not as good as the partly cloudy patriot, but still pretty darn good.”
Courtney S wrote this review Monday, June 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
