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rosietomyn's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell is a great read that feels very timely at this historical moment.
As an American wrangling with the reality that US democracy as we know it it is under attack from within, I have found historical context incredibly enlightening. Looking back at our country's foundations, its rebellions, and even the history of the crown that once controlled it, is both educational and cathartic. This current battle may be new, and the erosion of the laws that stabilize our republic may be coming from the very seats we thought would protect it (seats that have, historically), but history indicates that our systems were built to withstand incredible disunity.
In telling the Marquis de Lafayette's story, Vowell weaves a compelling history of the foundations of our nation. She shares interesting and funny anectodes, and her conversational style makes the people, events, and places she shares very real and relevant.
I thoroughly enjoyed her connections of more present-day issues to the past. I only wish she had written this in the post-2016/post-2020 landscape as I would appreciate her perspective now that we know just how much worse things can get.
In this moment, our history offers key insights into how we should move forward to preserve our democracy. I hope we take the time look back and listen.
As an American wrangling with the reality that US democracy as we know it it is under attack from within, I have found historical context incredibly enlightening. Looking back at our country's foundations, its rebellions, and even the history of the crown that once controlled it, is both educational and cathartic. This current battle may be new, and the erosion of the laws that stabilize our republic may be coming from the very seats we thought would protect it (seats that have, historically), but history indicates that our systems were built to withstand incredible disunity.
In telling the Marquis de Lafayette's story, Vowell weaves a compelling history of the foundations of our nation. She shares interesting and funny anectodes, and her conversational style makes the people, events, and places she shares very real and relevant.
I thoroughly enjoyed her connections of more present-day issues to the past. I only wish she had written this in the post-2016/post-2020 landscape as I would appreciate her perspective now that we know just how much worse things can get.
In this moment, our history offers key insights into how we should move forward to preserve our democracy. I hope we take the time look back and listen.
melissa_who_reads's review against another edition
4.0
A fun read, with her trademark weaving of history and contemporary life. I am not a "military history" kind of person, but I did enjoy her discussions of the battles and of this military figure that the US owed so much to at it's founding. And I enjoyed her inclusion of the Quaker critique of that history. I had known relatively little of Lafayette prior to reading this, and indulged in looking him and his wife up on Wikipedia to gain a broad sense of their lives -- but her vision of him as a gung-ho teenager looking for glory is very persuasive.
I found myself reading portions out loud to whomever I was with - not the worst thing while sitting bored in an ER waiting to be called in. Liked the drawings of various figures included in the book: was surprised that the artist only got a "thank you very much" in the acknowledgements, and not his own mention in the front. And I really wanted there to be chapters. The book pretty much flowed from one topic to another, with small breaks -- but there is something about chapters to give you a sense of moving forward.
I recommended it: it serves as a reminder of what the French meant to the US in the Revolutionary War (and what the Americans meant to the French). And bonus - a reminder that some place names were named after real people (for instance, Vergennes, Vermont -- named after the foreign minister of France under Louis XVI -- a lovely little town I have driven through many times). And all the places named after Lafayette himself ... and a discussion of all the protests that happen in Lafayette Park, near the White House, under the statue of Lafayette himself. I particularly enjoyed the description of the suffragette addressing Lafayette's statue in 1918, since she got as much response from him as she did from President Wilson or the Congress about the Susan B. Anthony amendment ... Lots of gems of historical information in this book. It is about context, isn't it?
I found myself reading portions out loud to whomever I was with - not the worst thing while sitting bored in an ER waiting to be called in. Liked the drawings of various figures included in the book: was surprised that the artist only got a "thank you very much" in the acknowledgements, and not his own mention in the front. And I really wanted there to be chapters. The book pretty much flowed from one topic to another, with small breaks -- but there is something about chapters to give you a sense of moving forward.
I recommended it: it serves as a reminder of what the French meant to the US in the Revolutionary War (and what the Americans meant to the French). And bonus - a reminder that some place names were named after real people (for instance, Vergennes, Vermont -- named after the foreign minister of France under Louis XVI -- a lovely little town I have driven through many times). And all the places named after Lafayette himself ... and a discussion of all the protests that happen in Lafayette Park, near the White House, under the statue of Lafayette himself. I particularly enjoyed the description of the suffragette addressing Lafayette's statue in 1918, since she got as much response from him as she did from President Wilson or the Congress about the Susan B. Anthony amendment ... Lots of gems of historical information in this book. It is about context, isn't it?
megadeathvsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very fitting read for me right now, with what is occurring nationally. It, at the very least, reminded me of the rocky start of America. Which could mean we're screwed, but hopefully means we can figure it all out.
karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this history of The Marquis de Lafayette, and his help during the American Revolution.
eletricjb's review against another edition
3.0
Man, war histories are boring, but what an ending. You know I have hearteyes for suffragists.
squirrelsohno's review against another edition
3.0
I mean, it was fun and well-written, but didn't add much to what I already know about the events of the Revolution. 3.5/5
timsin10's review against another edition
3.0
The author won't be my go to for hard history, but she does have an entertaining, funny style. That effort to be funny resulted in many rabbit trails that gave the book an unfocused feel. I'm glad I listened to the audiobook as the cast of readers and musical accompaniment did add to the experience.