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historyteacher's review
5.0
This was a re-read for me. I adore Sarah Vowell and this is one of my favorites. I laughed out loud when she explained the 'grandfather paradox'.
mchester24's review
3.0
A fun and pretty quick read. Vowell entertainingly brings the reader along with her peculiar obsession with the first three presidential assassinations and all the plaques, statues, museums, and oddities you can see— big and small— connected to them. A great mix of historical education with Vowell’s fun and self-proclaimed ramblings on the topic. That it was published in 2005 and she spends time begroaning the W. Bush years and how that worst ever Administration was bringing the decline of democracy seems almost quaint to read in the 2020s!
In the end, I learned a bit and I was entertained. Hard to ask for more.
In the end, I learned a bit and I was entertained. Hard to ask for more.
lauraborkpower's review
3.0
I much prefer Vowell in the essay genre, and this long-format got a bit too much of her all at once. But it's obvious where her interests sit, so her writing is interesting and chock-full of neato tidbits about the presidents she's chronicling.
notspacemanlee's review
2.0
Closer to 2.5 stars.
I have been getting into creative nonfiction lately and had this book recommended to me. As someone who enjoys the concept of historical connections - each Presidential assassination chapter was full of them. I did learn quite a bit and the writing wasn't professorial.
However, the book reeks of smug self-indulgence and (while I don't ascribe to either political party), all the Bush/Republican jokes weren't germane to the book. Then again, I'm not one to listen to any late night monologues, because they all are low hanging fruit no matter who is in office.
Charles Guiteau's life story was a hoot, though.
I have been getting into creative nonfiction lately and had this book recommended to me. As someone who enjoys the concept of historical connections - each Presidential assassination chapter was full of them. I did learn quite a bit and the writing wasn't professorial.
However, the book reeks of smug self-indulgence and (while I don't ascribe to either political party), all the Bush/Republican jokes weren't germane to the book. Then again, I'm not one to listen to any late night monologues, because they all are low hanging fruit no matter who is in office.
Charles Guiteau's life story was a hoot, though.
jenmangler's review
4.0
I feel kinda bad that I had so much fun reading a book about presidential assassination. I expected to like the history stuff in this book, and I really did. There were so many instances of "you've got to be kidding me!" coincidences or weird factoids that I thoroughly enjoyed. What I didn't anticipate was enjoying the company Sarah kept on her journeys. It was great spending time with the friends and family members who accompanied her. And I loved the people she met along the way, people so passionate about their local history and so willing to share with others. The history geek in me is inspired by them.
tnorthcu's review
4.0
I didn't like this book quite as much as Partly Cloudy Patriot... but it is still a really good book. Same sarcasm as her other books, great material and humorous.
bhnmt61's review
5.0
Loved it, highly recommended. Some find Sarah Vowell’s voice annoying, so make sure you listen to the sample before you decide, but I thought her voice was the perfect complement. A little snide, occasionally a little childlike, sometimes a little monotone— for a story that sometimes gave me goosebumps and often made me laugh. I don’t think I would have made it more than a chapter or two with the print version. Really fun.