I started reading this book a long time ago.

It's important to note that it's almost always accessible on Overdrive / Libby.

This made it convenient for me to read it in between novels.

Moreover, this is indeed a good way to approach reading different materials.

The fact that the author read her own book adds an extra layer of charm to the experience.

However, I have to admit that I found the book to be a bit uneven.

Maybe it was because my own interest in various subjects was also uneven.

Despite this, I still do recommend it.

It offers unique perspectives and valuable insights that are worth exploring.

Whether you're a fan of the author or simply looking for something new to read, this book is definitely worth considering.

Give it a try and see for yourself what it has to offer.

This work was truly remarkable both as a piece of literature and as an audiobook.

Sarah Vowell's writing is filled with humor, clarity, and wisdom. It has the power to make one actually desire to visit otherwise dull historical sites like Gettysburg and Salem.

Part memoir and part history lesson, it was an absolute delight to listen to.

As an added bonus, Conan O'Brien's performance as Lincoln, Stephen Colbert's brilliant portrayal of Al Gore, and David Cross's reading of TR's lines added an extra layer of entertainment.

I was so enamored with the audio version that I ordered a physical copy to mark all the passages I adored.

For example, the line "Being stuck in the Boise airport for ten hours while getting hit on by a divorced man with'major financial problems' on his way to his twentieth high school reunion is irksome, but not as dire as swinging by the neck on Salem's Gallows Hill."

And this one: "I was enjoying a chocolatey cafe mocha when it occurred to me that to drink a mocha is to gulp down the entire history of the New World. From the Spanish exportation of Aztec cacao, and the Dutch invention of the chemical process for making cocoa, on down to the capitalist empire of Hershey, PA, and the lifestyle marketing of Seattle's Starbucks, the modern mocha is a bittersweet concoction of imperialism, genocide, invention, and consumerism served with whipped cream on top. No wonder it costs so much."

All in all, this is a fantastic book with great wit, great ideas, great sentences, and a great audio version.

I've read other Sarah Vowell books before, including this one. However, I decided to give it another go during my vacation.

The thing about Sarah Vowell is that she is extremely smart, nerdy, patriotic, and erudite. Her essays are not only intelligent but also funny. Nevertheless, I can't seem to get rid of the feeling that if we knew each other in real life, we probably wouldn't get along very well. She doesn't seem to have a great affection for people in general.

This book delves a lot into America and the politics surrounding the 2000 election. Seriously, the girl does her research thoroughly. She is well informed about everything, and I appreciate what she has to say. I like Vowell's books because you can truly learn something while being entertained.

But once again, there's that little nagging thought at the back of my mind that she doesn't like us (readers, society, or whoever). And I'm beginning to think that the only thing worse than a book that you don't like is a book that doesn't like you.

It makes me wonder if her somewhat aloof attitude towards people is a conscious choice or if it's just a part of her personality that comes through in her writing. Maybe it's a combination of both. Either way, it doesn't stop me from enjoying her books and the knowledge and entertainment they provide.

Sarah Vowell possesses a truly unique voice.

When we hear her read her essays on NPR's This American Life, her high-pitched tone is just one aspect of it.

Her voice as a writer is equally distinctive.

No one else I know has the ability to make Montana and Oklahoma seem like foreign lands and "American" appear exotic.

Most of the essays in this 2002 book revolve around America.

It explores the contrast between the idea of America and its reality, as well as American history as she has read and experienced it.

Her essays are likely to infuriate simple-minded flag-wavers because she persistently points out hypocrisies, much like the smart, nerdy girl she was before growing into a smart, nerdy woman.

She also has the power to bring leftist criticism of America to a halt.

It becomes difficult to be unyieldingly critical of Lincoln, Washington, Bush, or Clinton when one realizes one's own inconsistency as a human being and acknowledges that they too must be human.

However, there is not a shred of consciousness about political and economic structure in the book, which is a fatal defect for anyone who desires to see the complete picture.

Nevertheless, if you are interested in sharp-eyed glimpses of America from unexpected angles, you will discover them on every page.

The moments when she shares stories from her own life, such as being a twin, a gunsmith's daughter, and a bookish girl in a small town, are my favorite in this book.

I had initially intended to spread out the listening of this audiobook over my walks and other outdoor activities. However, I ended up devouring it within just two days, seizing every opportunity to listen.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Vowell has a deep love for her country and its history. She presents a humorous yet affectionate perspective on America. It is truly refreshing to read a book by someone who loves their country and is able to discuss it with both its flaws and virtues. And of course, it doesn't hurt that Vowell is extremely funny, especially in her own narration. Moreover, if you listen to the audiobook, you get the added treat of hearing Conan O'Brian play Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Colbert do his best Al Gore impression!

Revisiting this book almost two decades after its publication is quite interesting. Of course, much of it, such as Vowell's essay on the allure of the lunchroom in Carlsbad Caverns or her mentions of CBC's longform radio journalism, remains timeless. But it was also fascinating to look back at Gore's defeat by Bush in the context of the pandemic and the current state of American politics. When she remarks about Canadians, specifically about being slightly strange due to their willingness to follow the rules and conform at times, it definitely made me reflect on the way masking laws have been implemented on both sides of the border. Vowell is absolutely correct in stating that Canadian history is not an inspiring story.

I want to firmly believe that a part of Sarah Vowell still resides within me. I long to be more childlike, filled with hope and unashamed. Her perspective, although sometimes it may seem naive, is truly admirable. I truly hold the view that the world becomes a far better place when there are still a few True Believers out there, continuously telling the old stories and visiting National Parks with a specific purpose.

Some individuals have criticized this collection of essays as being meandering, and perhaps that is one possible way to perceive it. However, I had a completely different understanding. The space that exists between the essays is precisely where the battle occurs, a (re)defining of what patriotism means for her. It is rather simple to be patriotic in a country where Teddy Roosevelt heads to the Dakota Territory after the tragic deaths of his mother and wife, shoots some buffalo, reads Tolstoy, and contemplates on the nature of reality. On the other hand, it is much harder to be patriotic in a country where self-definition stems from a silly arcade game or through the alienation of oneself that appears inevitable whenever the family comes to visit. It is precisely in capturing this, the significant distance between American History and Americans, that "The Partly Cloudy Patriot" truly shines and stands out.

I came across this book on BookMooch after listening to one of the stories on This American Life last fall (or perhaps it was earlier this year?). I've always been undecided about whether I find Sarah Vowell's voice charming or grating. So, reading her prose seemed like the best way to figure out that I truly, deeply love her work.

One aspect that I've always valued in some of my pen-friends is that the letters they send me could easily pass as voice mail messages because their writing style is so faithful to the way they communicate in person. Maybe it's because I'm used to hearing Vowell on the radio, presenting very similar material, that I felt this book flowed like her radio stories. I could almost hear her nasal, slightly annoyed voice as she recounted weeping at Bush's inauguration, visiting Civil War battlefields, or sharing how Abraham Lincoln also had an annoying voice.

I think it can be extremely challenging to make history personal, but Vowell accomplishes this with great flair. I'm really excited about reading her other books and would highly recommend this one to anyone interested in a unique and engaging take on history.

The third of three books that were given to me as a Christmas gift in 2012.

This book is composed of a collection of essays. Ms. Vowell's opinions seem to be filtered through government schools, and there is an overbearing attitude of "I am NPR, therefore I am smarter than you."

I regret reading these books at that particular time in my life. I think if I had read them earlier when my perception of NPR was more favorable than it is today, I might have had a better experience. As it stands, in all three cases, Ms. Vowell just appears as an annoying moron with a superiority complex.

I will admit that the essay titled "Democracy and Things Like That", which pertains to the media's manipulation of facts, was actually quite good. And her admiration for the Gadsden flag is highly entertaining, considering that in recent times NPR has been at the forefront of declaring it a symbol of racism and domestic terrorism.

This is the last book in the set that I possess, and for that, I am glad. I'm happy to move on to other things. What else can I say except that it's the thought that counts?

In many aspects, this book serves as an incredibly peculiar time capsule, considering I read it 20 years after its publication.

It is a humorous book, and I truly connect with Vowell's style here. However, I can't recall the last time anyone discussed the reasons why they believe Al Gore failed to strike a chord with more voters or the fears regarding the end of democracy due to Bush v. Gore (time-traveling news alert, Sarah - it has gotten a whole lot worse!).

Also, perhaps it would be better to stop referencing the Revenge of the Nerds movies. I would be intrigued to see if her opinion on Tom Cruise has changed since 2002.

This was my first essay collection by Vowell. I had previously read "Lafayette in the Somewhat United States" and "Unfamiliar Fishes", and I think she is much more proficient in the long form when it comes to discussing history. Nevertheless, I did appreciate her essays, especially some of the more personal ones like "Pop-a-Shot" or her feelings about attending Bush's inauguration in 2001.

Overall, while this book has its charm and interesting moments, it also has some aspects that could be improved or updated to make it more relevant in today's context.

The three previous Vowell books that I have read had unifying themes.

They were all thoroughly enjoyable and engaging.

In fact, not only did I have a great time reading them, but I also managed to learn some interesting history along the way.

However, this particular volume is quite different.

It is simply a collection of mildly amusing essays on a wide variety of topics.

To be honest, it was a bit of a disappointment for me.

I was expecting something more cohesive and perhaps with a deeper exploration of a particular subject.

While the essays are not bad per se, they lack the overall unity and impact that the previous books had.

It feels more like a random assortment of thoughts and ideas rather than a well-structured and thought-provoking work.

Nevertheless, I will still keep an open mind and look forward to seeing what Vowell has in store for us in the future.

One of the curses of the 2016 election was truly like getting punched in the face.

It led to a jarring and ringing sensation, a bloody nose, and even some memory loss.

Plenty of people were constantly reminding everyone to try and remember what it was like to be in the US in 2000 and 2001, dealing with a very confusing and conflicting terror attack, while still reeling from the direct theft of the presidency by a corrupt supreme court, a corrupt set of officials, and even worse, by a complete idiot.

This book isn't really about that specifically, but rather about the conflicting feelings a great many people have about this country.

I don't actually desire to grow up hating the place I'm from because at some point one has to come to terms with the notion that its taint is a part of who they are, and wonder how long one can exist within it before being responsible for its crimes.

Sarah Vowell narrates this experience in general terms across multiple different essays here. Some of them directly interrogate these feelings, some do so indirectly, and some don't at all.

The collection is a little random at times, as most collected editions are, but there's the constant feeling of being mired in these complex and often uncomfortable feelings.

I thought this was a little uneven, but enjoyed most of it.

The title essay is truly outstanding. It is just wonderful! It offers a heartfelt and achingly honest exploration of what it truly means to be patriotic without necessarily agreeing or condoning the actions of those in power.

I read this one several years ago, but recently decided to listen to the audio version and found that I liked it even more.

The addition of music by They Might Be Giants and cameo readings by notable figures such as Michael Chabon as Walt Whitman, Conan O'Brien as Abraham Lincoln, and Stephen Colbert as Al Gore, among others, really enhanced the overall experience.

These elements added a new dimension to the essays, making them even more engaging and memorable.

Overall, while there were some parts that I felt were a bit lacking, the majority of this collection was highly enjoyable and thought-provoking.

I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in exploring the concept of patriotism and its various interpretations.