The Partly Cloudy Patriot by sarah vowell

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Definitely reading more Sarah Vowell after this.

Her works have a certain charm that keeps pulling me in. Although at times, when listening to her read, I cringed a little because it didn't sound very natural.

However, I have to highly recommend the audio version for the supporting cast of Stephen Colbert, Conan O'Brien, Seth Green, and others.

Their performances added a whole new dimension to the story. Each of them brought their unique style and personality to the narration, making it more engaging and entertaining.

The combination of Sarah Vowell's writing and the talented voices of the supporting cast created a truly immersive experience.

I found myself completely captivated by the audio, and it made me appreciate her work even more.

So, if you're a fan of Sarah Vowell or just looking for an interesting audio experience, I would definitely suggest giving it a try.

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maplesyrup47

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

It's truly a shame.

She is actually a rather funny writer. However, this book is just the epitome of tone-deaf liberalism.

It's hard to determine what was more offensive. Was it when she insinuated that, unlike Salem and Gettysburg with their grim and violent pasts, the Caribbean is simply a cheery destination for vacations?

Or was it when she tried to defend American patriotism to a group of people from "something-istan I hadn't heard of" by using her liking of Elvis and Johnny Cash, while they were complaining about US imperialism?

You're not a very good "history buff" and your politics are rather shitty.

It seems that her lack of understanding of different cultures and historical contexts has led to some rather inappropriate and offensive remarks in this book.

One would have expected a better display of knowledge and sensitivity from a writer of her caliber.

Hopefully, in her future works, she will take the time to research and understand the topics she writes about more thoroughly to avoid making such blunders.

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ClumsyMAL

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This was my introduction to Sarah Vowell, and I now like her very much.

I know, I'm a loser for not listening to NPR more frequently. But the truth is, when NPR is on, I can't pay attention to anything else. Seriously, I can't even wash the dishes properly. So, unfortunately, I don't listen as often as I should.

However, after getting to know Sarah Vowell, I'm really glad I did. She's not only funny and smart but also incredibly insightful. She's a patriot in a way that makes me proud to call her a fellow countryman (or should I say countrywoman?). She's the kind of patriot who loves her country and is willing to stand up against the groupthink that can lead us astray.

And let's not forget, she's also a nerd. And I just love nerds. Their unique perspectives and deep knowledge always fascinate me. Sarah Vowell is truly a remarkable person, and I look forward to learning more from her in the future.

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iamgemini

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Aside from herself, Conan O'Brien, Seth Green, Stephen Colbert, and David Cross read on the audio version. That right there is enough to make the content not even matter. But it does. This is my introduction to Sarah Vowell and my favorite of her work.

I especially remember the story about Concord High School in New Hampshire inviting all the 2000 presidential candidates to speak. Half accepted, including Al Gore. This was 1999, the same year as Columbine, and the candidates were asked to speak about violent crime. After Gore spoke, Vowell interviewed some of the students about his speech. Many of them were impressed, telling how they felt he respected them as people and didn't just view them as kids.

He talked about the importance of the insulation of a loving family and how that might keep someone immune from committing those types of things (school shootings). Then, there was a Q&A. One of the kids asked how high school students could become more involved in politics. Gore went on to talk about how there's a lot of cynicism in the world, especially among youth. He then encouraged the kids to look inside themselves and see how lucky they are to live in this country. He talked about long voting lines in new democracies like S. Africa where people waited hours to vote, as opposed to here in the US where we have low voter turnout.

Further encouraging the kids to get involved, he told the story of Love Canal. How a high school student had written him a letter 20 years ago about how her family was getting sick and she believed the water coming from her well was contaminated. This encouraged Gore to look for other contaminated water sites and clean up hazardous dump sites. He said to the kids that "It (Love Canal) was the one that started it all", and was misquoted in the paper the next morning as saying "I was the one that started it all". Aside from that being an anecdote about the power of the media to spin things out of control, what's so touching about the way Vowell shares the story is how upset the kids were that an experience that had been so positive and a story that was meant to be motivating was turned into this cheap, salacious news piece about what a liar Al Gore is. No talk about what he'd said about school violence, no talk about how he'd encouraged the kids to get involved and to not take their status as an American citizen for granted. Just - Al Gore's a big fat liar who claims to have invented the internet, was the real life person behind Ryan O'Neal's character in Love Story, and discovered Love Canal.

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chiapet-IRL

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

2002 was a simpler time.

George W. Bush had just stolen the presidency, which was a significant event that shocked the nation. Terrorists had attacked on American soil, sending shockwaves throughout the world and changing the course of history. And we were launching ourselves into an illegal war, a decision that would have far-reaching consequences.

Ah, those were the days. The twelve years of endless combat, financial collapse, and increasing national division that have intervened now make that 2002 America, portrayed in this book, seem like a Normal Rockwell painting. It was a time when the nation was still reeling from the attacks and trying to find its footing.

So, if you're interested in a trip down Memory Lane to those halcyon days when you felt freshly outraged and afraid, not yet resignedly outraged and afraid, grab a copy of this book. It will take you back to a time that was both simpler and more complex than the one we live in today.

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Moudaijoubu

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I have a deep affection for Sarah Vowell's idiosyncratic style. Her selection of historical subjects is truly captivating. She delves into them with remarkable wit and charm, making the exploration a truly enjoyable experience.

This collection of essays is a veritable treasure trove. It ranges far and wide, from the hallowed ground of Gettysburg to the vibrant city of San Francisco. Filled with lighthearted and playful anecdotes, it offers a unique perspective on American history.

Sarah Vowell has a remarkable talent for seamlessly weaving her own life's experiences into the rich tapestry of America. Through her essays, we get a glimpse into not only the past but also her personal journey. It's as if she is inviting us to join her on an adventure through time and space, uncovering the hidden gems and fascinating stories that make up the fabric of our nation.

Overall, this collection of essays is a must-read for anyone interested in history, American culture, or simply a good story. Sarah Vowell's engaging writing style and unique perspective make it a truly unforgettable read.

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valzzor

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

**Original Article**: This is an interesting story. It happened in a small town. A boy found a strange object.

**Expanded Article**:

This is an extremely interesting story that took place in a charming little town.

One sunny day, a curious boy was exploring the outskirts of the town. As he was walking along, he suddenly noticed a strange object lying on the ground.

The object had a shiny surface and an unusual shape. The boy was immediately intrigued and couldn't resist picking it up.

He examined it closely, wondering what it could be. Little did he know that this discovery would lead to a series of exciting adventures.

The story of the boy and the strange object continued to unfold, captivating the hearts and minds of everyone in the town.

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guih_BENTZEN11

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I don't know if this is aging well. It's not the author's fault. However, a 17-year-old book about our then-current country and politics can only have so much relevance.

As time passes, the political and social landscape changes. What was once relevant may no longer hold true. The events and issues that were prominent 17 years ago may have been resolved or have evolved into something different.

Nevertheless, the book may still offer some valuable insights. It can serve as a historical record, providing a snapshot of the country and politics at a particular moment in time. It can also help us understand how far we have come and what challenges we still face.

Perhaps the book can inspire us to think about the future. By reflecting on the past, we can learn from our mistakes and make better decisions. We can use the knowledge and experiences gained from the book to shape a more just and prosperous society.

In conclusion, while a 17-year-old book about country and politics may not be as relevant today as it was when it was written, it still has its value. It can offer us a unique perspective and help us in our journey towards a better future.

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The Partly Cloudy Patriot

sarah vowell

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