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I really enjoyed Assassination Vacation. I've seen Sarah Vowell on the Daily Show, and her incredibly subtle, dry sense of humor practically forces you to read her books.
This is about three presidential assassinations - Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley. Lincoln's murder, being slightly more well-known than the other two, requires more digging, and Vowell really goes the distance. She goes from historical landmarks, monuments, graveyards, seashore dying places, assassin enablers' prisons and, for ...more
This is about three presidential assassinations - Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley. Lincoln's murder, being slightly more well-known than the other two, requires more digging, and Vowell really goes the distance. She goes from historical landmarks, monuments, graveyards, seashore dying places, assassin enablers' prisons and, for ...more
Once I got into the story I thought it was hilarious. The stories are fascinating. Not having really ever studied American History, I had some idea of the conditions surrounding Lincoln's assassination, naturally, but had no clue as to what was up with Garfield and McKinley. My interest in American history was already on the uptick but this may have propelled it into full swing!
I always kind of lumped her in with David Sedaris because of her cute stories on THIS AMERICAN LIFE (which might be bet ...more
I always kind of lumped her in with David Sedaris because of her cute stories on THIS AMERICAN LIFE (which might be bet ...more
For anyone with a fleeting interest in history. Tells the story of 3 presidential assassinations--Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley.
A great, easy read, you'll learn plenty. I wish I was able to remember more that I read.
For those Marylanders reading the book, Sarah Vowell has an interesting assessment on our home state. It is very reminiscent of the sentiments of many people I know who now call our "Great State" home after growing up elsewhere. ...more
A great, easy read, you'll learn plenty. I wish I was able to remember more that I read.
For those Marylanders reading the book, Sarah Vowell has an interesting assessment on our home state. It is very reminiscent of the sentiments of many people I know who now call our "Great State" home after growing up elsewhere. ...more
An irreverent funny book stringing three presidential murders together. Since I often vacation in places authors have written about, it makes perfect sense to me to vacation in places where history, even the maudlin kind, has happened. If more history books were written this way, more kids would like the subject.
I can't believe I hadn't read this book until now. I am completely in love with Sarah Vowell. I hope she'll accept my marriage proposal.
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Oct 02, 2007
Christina
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Stephen
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Nov 19, 2011
Beth Tabler
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Junebuggin
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