I truly relished this collection of essays and the abundant laughter it elicited.

Sarah Vowell is an absolute national treasure. Her writing is not only incredibly witty and humorous but also deeply insightful.

Each essay in this collection offers a unique perspective on various aspects of life, culture, and history. Vowell's ability to blend personal anecdotes with broader social and political commentary is truly remarkable.

Her sharp observations and clever turns of phrase make for a highly engaging read. Whether she is writing about her own experiences growing up in Montana or analyzing the significance of a particular historical event, Vowell's voice is always distinct and captivating.

This essay collection is a must-read for anyone who enjoys intelligent, humorous writing. It will leave you entertained, enlightened, and eager to read more of Sarah Vowell's work.

I feel a certain kinship with Sarah Vowell and, oddly, Al Gore.

Sarah Vowell's unique perspective and engaging writing style have always intrigued me. Her ability to blend history, personal anecdotes, and social commentary in a captivating manner makes her work truly enjoyable. I find myself drawn to her way of looking at the world and her willingness to share her thoughts and experiences.

Al Gore, on the other hand, may seem like an unexpected choice. However, his passion for environmental issues and his efforts to raise awareness about climate change have made a significant impact. I admire his dedication and his commitment to making a difference. His work has inspired me to be more conscious of my own environmental footprint and to take steps to protect the planet.

Despite their differences in background and field, both Sarah Vowell and Al Gore have had an influence on me. Their work has made me think differently, has expanded my knowledge, and has motivated me to be a better person. I am grateful for the connection I feel with them and look forward to seeing what they will do next.

This book, "The Partly Cloudy Patriot," was truly very entertaining. I was quite astonished by some of the author's dead-on observations. She has this remarkable ability to step back and closely examine her own zealotry.

For instance, in her essay about the kerfuffle over Al Gore mentioning Love Canal while speaking at a high school. Al Gore was misquoted, and the claim that he "discovered Love Canal" was added to the list of undeserved credits attributed to him. The author, however, was able to distance herself from her obvious admiration for Al Gore and reflect on the fact that a misquote might not matter much if the result aligns with public perception or even reality.

Nevertheless, there is one small gripe. By the time I reached the last essay, the rhythm and humor had become somewhat predictable.

Overall, I would give "The Partly Cloudy Patriot" 4 out of 5, with those 4 representing my level of appreciation similar to having 4 "boners for Al Gore" (a rather humorous way of expressing my rating). It's a book that offers interesting insights and engaging reading, despite the minor drawback towards the end.

It was as good a time as any to take a look back at America around 20 years ago. The narrative was fast-paced and humorous, which made it an engaging read. Sarah Vowell's writing style is truly captivating. Every time I read her work, it serves as a great inspiration for me to write more. It encourages me to be more observant and pay better attention to the details of the things that I have a desire to write about. Her words have the power to ignite the creative spark within me and make me strive to improve my own writing skills. I find myself constantly learning from her unique perspective and the way she weaves together stories and ideas. It's like she has this magical ability to make the ordinary seem extraordinary and to bring the past to life in a vivid and entertaining way.

I absolutely devoured this book.

It's truly fascinating to see how much Sarah Vowell adores Abraham Lincoln. Her argument for the preservation of an underground lunchroom in the Carlsbad Caverns is both unique and entertaining, as she describes Americans as "a bunch of fun-loving dopes." Additionally, her take on how more people might have liked Al Gore if he had mastered the "nerd voice," perhaps with Joss Whedon penning all his campaign speeches, is both humorous and thought-provoking.

Moreover, I possess this nifty autographed first edition. So, you know, it's an added bonus. Suck it and stuff.

Like Sarah Vowell, I firmly consider myself to be a history nerd. Her unique perspective on history, along with her incisive takes on current events, when combined with her delightfully humorous personal stories, create the perfect and most entertaining combination. It's truly a gem that I simply breezed through. I found myself completely engrossed in her words, as she effortlessly weaves together the past and the present, making history come alive in the most engaging way. Her ability to blend facts with humor is truly remarkable, and it makes reading her work a joyous experience. I can't wait to explore more of her writings and continue to be entertained and enlightened by her take on the world of history and beyond.

I have a deep love for Sarah Vowell's uniquely dark and droll perspective on American history. What makes it even more special is that she shares my affection for Teddy Roosevelt and his birthplace museum located on East 20th Street in Manhattan. Her work is filled with plenty of chuckles and great historical information. Judging from the negative reviews posted here by snowflakes of both conservative and liberal bents, I firmly believe she has struck a tone that is just right.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book. She says, "The historical periods I like to learn about aren't so much costume dramas as slasher flicks." This shows her unconventional view of history.

She also recalls, "When I was growing up pretentious in Bozeman, Montana, I got all my ideas about going to movies in New York City from the Woody Allen oeuvre. That's the word I would have used too, oeuvre. Because I was a teen cinéaste. These days, I'd describe myself as a moviegoer, but back then I was gaga for the accent aigu. In Woody Allen movies, people stood in line for Ingmar Bergman films or holocaust documentaries, talking up media theory to pass the time. At sixteen, that was my idea of fun."

Moreover, she states, "The Emancipation Proclamation is a perfect American artifact to me--a good deed that made a lot of other Americans mad enough to kill. I think that's why the Civil War is my favorite American metaphor. I'm so much more comfortable when we're bickering with each other than when we have to link arms and fight a common enemy."

Finally, she shares, "The other day, in the subway at 5:30, I was crammed into my sweaty, crabby fellow citizens, and I kept whispering under my breath 'we the people, we the people' over and over again, reminding myself we're all in this together and they had as much right--exactly as much right--as I to be in the muggy underground on their way to wherever they were on their way to." This shows her sense of unity and equality among all people.

Overall, Sarah Vowell's work offers a refreshing and engaging take on American history.

As a person who has never truly felt at ease living in my own country (or anywhere else for that matter), I was completely enamored with this collection of essays. In it, Sarah Vowell delves deep into the idiosyncrasies of American society, the peaks and valleys of American history, and her own neurotic, somewhat dysfunctional inner world.

Even though she feels that American history is ingrained in her very being, she still doesn't experience a complete sense of comfort.

As a fellow history enthusiast, I adored the way Vowell interacts with history. She isn't overly concerned with the overarching lessons. She remarks that while she knows not to invade Russia in the winter, she fails to see the practical application of this knowledge in her own life. Instead, she is intrigued by how the oddities and contradictions of the past mirror her own. By examining history, she gains a better understanding of herself. She takes great delight in these contradictions, exemplified by figures like Theodore Roosevelt, the bookish tough guy who read Tolstoy while tracking down cattle rustlers.

Vowell has some legitimate gripes with America, regarding the misdeeds of its past, the shallowness of its politics, and the way intellectualism is often derided. However, she also proclaims that America is her religion, with Lincoln as the messiah and the Declaration of Independence and Constitution as her scriptures.

I truly cherished this book. It was reassuring to discover someone else who finds it enjoyable to drive 50 miles to gaze upon an empty field where something momentous occurred 100 years ago... and then excitedly share this experience with their friends.

An interesting collection of essays awaits you. Most of these essays have withstood the test of time and still hold up remarkably well even after more than 15 years. Among them, there are standouts that truly capture the essence. The titular essay delves deep into the nature of patriotism, exploring its various dimensions and引发深思. Another essay is a beautiful ode extolling her profound love for Canada. It描绘了Canada的独特魅力和她与之深厚的情感纽带. Whenever the author flexes her historian muscles, it's a joy to read. She brings a wealth of knowledge and insights, presenting historical facts and events in a captivating manner. This collection is an easy read, yet it offers much food for thought. It's a wonderful exploration of different themes and ideas that will leave you both entertained and enlightened.

**Expanded Article**

(3.5) This collection of essays offers a unique perspective, coming from an unabashed U.S. history nerd. It delves into various aspects of politics, culture, and personal life. While it didn't quite reach the level of enjoyment I had with Assassination Vacation, it still holds value. The material does feel a bit dated at times, but that doesn't overshadow its significance. It provides incisive commentary on the nauseating upsurge of faux patriotism post 9/11 in the title piece. The suspicion of intelligence and passionate interests that led to Al Gore's loss to George W. Bush in the 2000 election is explored in "The Nerd Voice", which is the centerpiece of the book. The enduring, albeit mythical, appeal of the American West is also examined in "This Strenuous Life". I was particularly drawn to the essay in the form of a letter to Bill Clinton, advising him not to omit the bad stuff in the exhibits at his new presidential library, titled "Ike Was a Handsome Man". Another engaging essay was about the mostly harmless yet kitschy commercialization of America's national parks, as seen through the underground lunchroom at Carlsbad Caverns. I managed to breeze through 180 out of the 197 pages on a rainy day, which is a testament to its compulsive reading quality.

Favorite lines:

“Along with voting, jury duty, and paying taxes, goofing off is one of the central obligations of American citizenship.” This line offers a lighthearted yet thought-provoking take on what it means to be an American citizen.

“Being a nerd, which is to say going too far and caring too much about a subject, is the best way to make friends I know.” It celebrates the unique way in which nerds form friendships through their intense passions.

“The true American patriot is by definition skeptical of the government. … My ideal picture of citizenship will always be an argument, not a sing-along.” This statement challenges the traditional notion of patriotism and presents a more nuanced view of what it means to be a patriotic American.

Sarah Vowell is truly amazing.

She possesses a remarkable sense of history and a deep understanding of its significance at various historical moments. As she travels around the world, she constantly contemplates what has occurred in each place, what was created there, and by whom.

While many struggle to engage with history, she is a powerful force who can make others take notice. Her profound reverence for Lincoln is a genuine tribute, yet she also has an appreciation for Al Gore, the nerd, and the intricacies of other political figures.

Reading about her visits to the libraries of past presidents and the stories she uncovers is a captivating experience in itself, complete with all the controversies.

The nation has been torn apart by war, tensions, and other divisions, and these stories cannot be sugarcoated.

Sarah is also deeply connected to her own family, despite their many differences. This connection prompts us to reflect on our own families and the lengths of our lives.

I love how she recalls the Watergate hearings, which as a young child, she saw as just another television program like Bonanza.

Perhaps, even at that young age, her attention was captured by the significance of the moment.

I thoroughly enjoy reading her work as it compels me to think about the history I have witnessed and the knowledge I have gained from the past.

How do we remember these people and events? What control do we have, and how can we advocate for more comprehensive explorations?

The humor in her writing is a welcome addition, and it also encourages us to view issues from a broader perspective.

Yes, we all have our own unique families.

America - you can make a living out of eloquently whining about it!

In the United States, there seems to be a strange phenomenon. Some people have discovered that they can actually earn a living by complaining and whining about the country in an eloquent and perhaps even captivating way. They use their words to express their dissatisfaction with various aspects of American society, such as politics, the economy, or social issues.

This trend might seem counterintuitive at first. After all, one would expect that focusing on the negative and constantly complaining would not lead to any real success or financial gain. However, in today's media-saturated world, there is an audience for almost everything. Some people are drawn to the drama and controversy that comes with listening to others whine about America.

These "whiners" often find platforms to share their views, whether it's through social media, podcasts, or even traditional media outlets. They build a following by presenting their arguments in a passionate and engaging manner. And as their popularity grows, they are able to monetize their content through advertising, sponsorships, or other means.

So, while it may seem absurd that one can make a living out of whining about America, it is a reality in today's society. Whether this is a positive or negative development remains to be seen. On one hand, it allows people to express their concerns and frustrations. On the other hand, it could potentially contribute to a culture of negativity and division.