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reflectiverambling_nalana's review
3.0
While I enjoy essays I am not frequently a reader of collections. While this was entirely entertaining and will tickle any history buff's sweet spot, it never excelled beyond being simply that: entertaining. Now with a work like this I don't expect or want anything else. But something I look for in rating very niche work if it is not for technical merits that I feel even remotely qualified to speak on, is how accessible and appealing is a work to the general public.
I do believe Sarah Vowell's voice is accessible to the multitudes, but I don't think it had the cross over appeal that would have this sky rocket and be universally endearing to a broader audience. The Partly Cloudy Patriot is by no means bad, I would recommend it to any general US history fan who's also politically aware. Or a writer. But it's just simply a decent time.
I do believe Sarah Vowell's voice is accessible to the multitudes, but I don't think it had the cross over appeal that would have this sky rocket and be universally endearing to a broader audience. The Partly Cloudy Patriot is by no means bad, I would recommend it to any general US history fan who's also politically aware. Or a writer. But it's just simply a decent time.
darthgrim's review
4.0
Great production on the audiobook. I'm currently mildly obsessed with Sarah Vowell because she also seems to infodump and over share presidential history. I clapped and laughed when she mentioned bonding with people over Ulysses S Grant.
punkystarshine's review
4.0
I'm giving this book four stars for quality/Goodreads reasons, because it's a well-written book. It's just not for me. I'm reading it for my office book club and if I have to read about history I AM glad it was in this personal/anecdotal/fun format but I was having horrible history class flashbacks. (Most people's brains are split so they either excel at/love English/history or math/science...I'm a weirdo and my brain is split so I'm good at/love English/math and less so history/science.) Also it was really hard to read about presidencies where the biggest scandal was having a mistress or whose greatest accomplishments were freeing slaves when our current administration is such a fucking disaster. I'm sorry Sarah Vowell, you did a great job. It's not you, it's me.
not_mike's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook.
Sarah handle's politics, nerdom, life essays with a similar humor and grace as Colbert.
Sarah handle's politics, nerdom, life essays with a similar humor and grace as Colbert.
talypollywaly's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
Side-eyeing a couple comments Vowell made (not related to politics as most other reviews have grievances with), but overall a decent listen. Can't decide if I like this one or Assasination Vacation more just yet though.
austinstorm's review against another edition
3.0
Ok, I probably could've figured this out from the dust-jacket recommends (blurbs from David Sedaris and Nick Hornby) but Sarah Vowell is a producer for This American Life. There's a solid TAL / McSweeney's vibe to these essays. I enjoyed them enough to find myself wishing they were a little longer. They are bite-sized, and while pleasant reading the book felt like eating an entire package of Oreos in one sitting.
vonnemiste's review
3.0
When Sarah Vowell is good, she is great. Her essays on family, home, and sense of place are lovely, and her closing piece on Teddy Roosevelt and North Dakota is one of the most giving, heartfelt bits of writing I've ever had the pleasure to read. However, I find her commitment to exclaiming vague platitudes about patriotism and democracy to be grating, as is her preference for a wonkish sort of Democratic centrism. In 2017, her politics seem out-of-touch and hopelessly naive. That being said, Vowell writes beautifully and with a wry, witty, and thoughtful voice. Her reflections on America are smart, hopeful, and singular.