The Partly Cloudy Patriot

Sarah Vowell is a particularly cynical and yet sometimes hilariously funny author who can fill the mind with imagery with a single two word phrase like "Nerd Isreal". In this book she explores her own particular brand of patriotism and her point of view on history and the world now. The book is an interesting, albeit short read that captivated me and made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. However, to truly get the voice of this book, one should definitely listen to any of Vowell's past readings on NPR. Her voice, her particular way of flatly stating the absurd in her (sorry, Sarah) nasal overtones brings the reader fully into the book. If you can imagine her reading the book to you, it brings it into a whole new dimension.

Here is a collection of essays by Vowell on patriotic themes, American history, and, particularly, her obsession with historical places and people. I can, in many ways, relate to Vowell with respect to the subjects of the essays and her obsession with them. I myself have always been a history nut and, for a very large chunk of my life, a blindly patriotic one.

I dislike patriotism today, as an institution. The trouble with this book, however, really stems from the "blind" adjective. Sarah is utterly, blindly patriotic and her ideas, which could have revealed profound truths about man, seem trite and as if she is writing for a college entrance exam. She seems to have deep political ideals which fall, without a fight, before her acceptance of realpolitik as the only true concern.

Sarah is staunchly and bitterly liberal (according to the picture she strives to paint of herself) but really she is just upper middle class white. Her allegiance is to economic position and national primacy, more than to any progressive ideal. She talks forever about her love of Clinton and all the wonderful things he did without, seemingly, having any knowledge of them. Although she quips about "some things we liked less" like Bosnia, she seems unable to connect with the failure and betrayal at the heart of Clinton.

When Bush beats Gore, she seethes and then, upon hearing Bush's Inaugural Address, she vows to be a good patriot first and a liberal second. Her inner self has worked out the economic justification to put country before party. She knows she will still be white and still be well off, under either man.

The only thing I will take from this book is a rather well developed analogy about the choice, in the 2000 election, being one between the nerd and the jock in high school.

My odd Sarah Vowell fact: Back when she was a fairly regular contributor (and I a regular listener) to NPR, I though Sarah was David Sedaris' sister. They both have a sister named Amy and their vocation and similar sense of humor, I guess, did the rest.

Sorry David, if you are listening ;-)

Sarah Vowell's collection of essays entitled Partly Cloudy Patriot is a refreshing commentary from a liberal who actually thinks and can express herself rationally without sounding argumentative. Her opinions are well laid-out and she refrains from any of the typical mud-slinging that one would come to expect from a book with a political bent, which actually makes it easier to think about the things she is saying rather than trying to defend or justify one's own opinions. Wonderfully written and thought provoking, I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in recent political history but wants to avoid all of the childish bickering.

I really enjoyed this witty, well written and insightful book, especially the essay about how Al Gore should have taken a hint from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and embrace his inner-nerd. Her observation that the 2000 Presidential election seemed to be less of a presidential election and more a jock vs. nerd showdown is one of many I enjoyed and I'm sure you will too. Also, the section where she visits Salem is precious. I recommend this book. Period.

I read this book after finishing Take the Cannoli. I can't get enough Vowell lately! Combining humor, pop culture, and an astonishing knowledge of American history, this book is entertaining and educational. Vowell has a sense of hope about America. She knows that we have a great (although contradictory) past to live up to, and, despite some of the depressing news about our government lately, she thinks it's possible that we can still do our ancestry proud. Geez, if we were all citizens like her, I'll bet America would be in much better shape.

As I was driving by a 19th-century rural graveyard near the site of George and Libby Custer's honeymoon in upstate New York one Friday afternoon, Sarah Vowell's voice came sighing out of my Pontiac's speakers as she was interviewed over National Public Radio, where she works. At first that hint of nepotism rankled, until the lady explained how post-Sept. 11 American "patriotism" rankled her. In both spoken and written word, Vowell uses low-key humor to sketch out important Truths, quietly achieving a goal which eludes most modern writers: heightening the existences of his/her readers.
Anyhow, Vowell's succinctly written accounts of life in the Big City, inter-familial conflicts, political disappointments and -- best yet -- her obsessive travels to sites of bloody battles and assassinations are simultaneously entertaining and edifying.
One thing disturbs me: In briefly recounting her visit to Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Vowell intimates that President Kennedy was in fact shot to death by one of her fellow nerds, the hapless (and notably late) Lee Harvey Oswald. She should read Peter Dale Scott's "Deep Politics and the Death of JFK" or Mark North's "Act of Treason" or David Scheim's "Contract on America" or any number of other unofficial histories that could set her straight on that sad misunderstanding.
Those of us nearing our personal half-century marks became partly cloudy patriots on Nov. 22, 1963. In retrospect, Sept. 11 and the hollow nationalism it produced is like a carnival mirror image of the uneasy blend of pride and shame that all exploded that awful weekend 39 years ago in Big D. ...

I came to Sarah Vowell a virgin. Before I purchased her book I had never heard her on radio or read her anywhere but after thumbing through a portion of her explaining why she visits gruesome places in history, as someone who has himself thought seriously of staying overnight in the home Lizzie Borden killed her parents, I knew I had a deep kinship with this delightful person. The Partly Cloudy Patriot did not disappoint in any way. These short essays are very funny, often thoughtful, personal and impassioned. Whether describing Thanksgiving with her parents or her reaction to the presidential victory of Mr. Bush (a highlight of the volume is this essay and its skillful presentation of Gore as a nerd, in a very positive way). After this past election, this volume is a wonderful way to overcome a little and laugh a lot. A much needed writer in these terrible times.

If you have never read Sarah Vowell and you would like to get the flavour of this book, give her a listen on National Public Radio. Her voice is consistent between the written and spoken word. She is very political and very Democratic, so that informs her writing. If open bias bothers you, or that particular bias bothers you, give this book a miss.
The Buffy bit was very amusing, as were some of the historical passages. Some of the rest I found less. However, humour is notoriously subjective, so your mileage may vary.
I found this book good reading on a gray, rainy day. It's not Pulitzer material, but it is a bit of sunshine for a dreary afternoon.

I was first introduced to Sarah Vowell when flipping through the channels on television. I stopped on a program on the Discovery Channel, where several authors were invited to speak at some sort of event. Sarah has this somewhat annoying, nasaly sound to her voice that is at once both annoying and completely endearing. After listening to her speak, I bought The Partly Cloudy Patriot on a whim, and was completely taken in.
Sarah Vowell is, at heart, a hip, nerdish, Gen-Xer like me. She has a special knack for story-telling. When I read this book, I was reminded of David Sedaris in some ways. I enjoyed it as much as Sedaris, but for different reasons. While Sedaris' anecdotes are "laugh out loud" funny, Sarah's stories are told with a dry, subtle wit. I look forward to reading more of her work.

This is a charming look at America through the eyes of a self-proclaimed nerd and history buff who enjoys reading travel guides. She loves America for all the right reasons; she IS a patriot, although a flawed one. Her flaw lies in her self-imposed liberal guilt. Fortunately, her love for America and its ideals overcome her flaw and makes her praise of America even more poignant

I've been listening to a lot of audiobooks lately to make the most of my long commute, and was pleased to find one that finally really embraced the format, rather than simply reading the book to me. Though there was no need to get such big names for the various voices, they and the made-to-order music were great touches. I especially enjoyed the "Gallows Hill and Andersonville" tune, heh. Great listen - I was sad when it ended. Poor Al Gore...

After seeing Ms. Vowell on the Daily Show and hearing her describe the re-enactment of the Burr-Hamilton duel, I raced out to buy her book. I was not disappointed. Every essay is insightful and hysterical. I still can't figure out why she's not on the NYT bestseller list...

The Partly Cloudy Patriot is a collection of essays based (loosely) about Sarah Vowell's love of America and U.S. history. I felt like a kindred spirit when she talks about nerds, the nerd voice, and Thanksgiving when her parents visit NYC. I recommend the Audio version just to hear her unique voice.

I have to admit that I was pretty disappointed. I love Sarah Vowell, but this wasn't her best. Still, it was better than some other commentaries out there, but just not as witty (but always just as insightful) as I would have expected.