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The Partly Cloudy Patriot

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About this listen

 From This American Life contributor and self-described “history nerd” Sarah Vowell comes a collection of humorous and personal essays investigating American history, pop culture, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

In this insightful and funny collection of personal stories Vowell travels through the American past and in doing so ponders a number of curious questions: Why is she happiest when visiting the sites of bloody struggles like Salem or Gettysburg? Why do people always inappropriately compare themselves to Rosa Parks? Why is a bad life in sunny California so much worse than a bad life anywhere else? What is it about the Zen of foul shots? And, in the title piece, why must doubt and internal arguments haunt the sleepless nights of the true patriot?

Her essays confront a wide range of subjects, themes, icons, and historical moments: Ike, Teddy Roosevelt, and Bill Clinton; Canadian Mounties and German filmmakers; Tom Cruise and Buffy the Vampire Slayer; twins and nerds; the Gettysburg Address, the State of the Union, and George W. Bush's inauguration.

The result is a teeming and engrossing book, capturing Vowell's memorable wit and her keen social commentary.©2002 Sarah Vowell; (P)2002 Simon & Schuster Inc. All Rights Reserved. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc. Americas Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary United States
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Would you consider the audio edition of The Partly Cloudy Patriot to be better than the print version?

Yes. Some people dont like Sarah Vowells very characteristic voice, but I'm not one of them. I could listen to her deadpan lilting voice all day - without her intonations, some of this material wouldnt be quite as funny.

What other book might you compare The Partly Cloudy Patriot to, and why?

This is a good example of her more general essays. If you like this, get David Rakoffs Fraud, which takes this sort of writing to the next level, in my opinion.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

As mentioned, I'm in love with Sarah's voice (and perhaps Sarah too?). You want the audio of her work, as she can be in quick succession heartbreakingly sincere subtly mocking, and her delivery amplifies this.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The stories where she speaks of AMerican politics and history are moving for her sincerity and genuine concern, and her takes on more throwaway pop culture (pop-a-shot, Tom Cruise, the Arthouse theatre scene) are playful and surprisingly insightful.

Any additional comments?

This is well worth a listen - check the audio demo first - she has a love/ hate voice. That said, if you want a more focused and polished work (and arent averse to some US history) seek out her Assassination Vacation, which i think is her best balance of personality/ humor/ cultural analysis and politics.

A mix of earnest sincerity and sly irony

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I really enjoy Sarah, it is not merely that her voice has a unique sound; she is thought provoking, amusing and has a point of view like no other writer of history.

Another gem from Sarah

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