Assassination Vacation
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Overview
Sarah Vowell exposes the glorious conundrums of American history and culture with wit, probity, and an irreverent sense of humor. With "Assassination Vacation," she takes us on a road trip like no other--a journey to the pit stops of American political murder and through the myriad ways they have been used for fun and profit, for political and cultural advantage.
From Buffalo to Alaska, Washington to the Dry Tortugas, Vowell visits locations immortalized and influenced by the spilling of politically important blood, reporting as she goes with her trademark blend of wisecracking humor, remarkable honesty, and thought-provoking criticism. We learn about the jinx that was Robert Todd Lincoln (present at the assassinations of Presidents Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley) and witness the politicking that went into the making of the Lincoln Memorial. The resulting narrative is much more than an entertaining and informative travelogue--it is the disturbing and fascinating story of how American death has been manipulated by popular culture, including literature, architecture, sculpture, and--the author's favorite--historical tourism.
Though the themes of loss and violence are explored and we make detours to see how the Republican Party became the Republican Party, there are lighter diversions into the lives of the three presidents and their assassins, including mummies, show tunes, mean-spirited totem poles, and a nineteenth-century biblical sex cult.
From Buffalo to Alaska, Washington to the Dry Tortugas, Vowell visits locations immortalized and influenced by the spilling of politically important blood, reporting as she goes with her trademark blend of wisecracking humor, remarkable honesty, and thought-provoking criticism. We learn about the jinx that was Robert Todd Lincoln (present at the assassinations of Presidents Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley) and witness the politicking that went into the making of the Lincoln Memorial. The resulting narrative is much more than an entertaining and informative travelogue--it is the disturbing and fascinating story of how American death has been manipulated by popular culture, including literature, architecture, sculpture, and--the author's favorite--historical tourism.
Though the themes of loss and violence are explored and we make detours to see how the Republican Party became the Republican Party, there are lighter diversions into the lives of the three presidents and their assassins, including mummies, show tunes, mean-spirited totem poles, and a nineteenth-century biblical sex cult.
Reviews (14)
Assassination Vacation
Written by Anonymous on May 10th, 2008
- Book Rating: 4/5
What a delightful 'read'. Too much detail to do much else besides listen, but what a wonderful book. Author is ascerbic and definitely is definite about her politics. She also reads the book, so emphasis and style are in line with the book. I like it, and cannot wait for her other book to come out in Audio.
Enjoyable book
Written by Anonymous from Kingman, KS on April 23rd, 2008
- Book Rating: 4/5
Although in the begining I was kind of loss as to what the book was about. It became quite clear that she has same love of history that I have. Enjoyed the off beat stories and the little known facts about the people that she worte about. Being a student of history myself I do not always agree with the parallels that she draws with current day events, and would love to have a discussion on those points. I never the less would very much like to take some of trips that she talked about and visit some of the out of the places that she visited. Going see these places where history happens always makes it come alive and real instead of just reading dates and names in a dry history book. She made these places and people come alive and fleshed them out. They are not just dead people and places in far off lands unaccessable.
Assassination Vacation
Written by Andrea Stillwell on October 24th, 2007
- Book Rating: 4/5
The author's voice is unique... well we all have unique voices! Hers tends to grating to start as she reads her own work, however perseverance gives you a witty take on all she is discussing, filled with wonderful trivia, lots of context for the facts and some out loud laughing. I shall go in search of more to read or listen to by this author.
Couldn't listen to the reader
Written by Anonymous on July 24th, 2007
- Book Rating: 1/5
I cannot speak of the book itself because I could not listen to the reader. I'll give it another chance but in print form.
Why did I like this?
Written by Shane Nixon from Burlington, NC on May 16th, 2007
- Book Rating: 3/5
Her voice is annoying. The book is less historical than I wanted. I felt sorry for RT Lincoln. But yet I read this book to the bitter end. I don't know why, but I couldn't send it back unread. I'll just give it three stars and move on!
Assassination Vacation
Written by James Penney on April 21st, 2007
- Book Rating: 4/5
Good listen, opening dialog is very funny. The narrator has a valley girl type voice which can be irritating at times but one gets used to it. All of the stories characters have guest voices (Connon O'Brien, Stephen King does Lincon, etc) and this makes it much more interesting. The writer definately did her research to make this possible (she relates toward the end that she has a masters degree in art history). Just finding some of the actual places proved a challenge. For renters like me you have to rent this title in two parts (comes as 6 CD's). Would recommend the first CD to anyone as the part about the authors dialogue in the bed and breakfast is universely funny. The rest is mostly interesting to those who really are into history (and I count myself in this class).
Assassination Vacation
Written by Anonymous on January 3rd, 2007
- Book Rating: 4/5
I absolutely loved this book. I am just finishing the final disc, and I have to say that this book is enormously educational and also whimsical and touching. Anyone who wants to learn more about American history and also America today should listen to this book.
Not A Vacation
Written by Anonymous on August 5th, 2006
- Book Rating: 2/5
I really like Sarah Vowell on NPR and the first CD was quite funny. But after that, unless you are really interested in presidential assassins and murders, it gets to be a little much. She is very witty but I found myself drifting off and only being brought back when she would talk about something personal rather than historical. I was unfortunately disappointed and returned it after disc 2.
Assasination Vacation
Written by Anonymous on June 10th, 2006
- Book Rating: 5/5
Oh my! Coming across this book was like finding a diamond in the rough. It was fabulous! I am so taken with it that I am going to buy a print copy as well as seek out anything else written by this author. A splendid combination of historical facts, trivia, and tongue in cheek references to the current political situation. Conservatives beware! You will certainly not appreciate Sarah's point of view. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I think the author's voice is an important element to the ironical tone of the book. Excellent work, Sarah! I hope you will give us many more similiar literary treats!
Obsessive?
Written by Anonymous from Athens, GA on May 16th, 2006
- Book Rating: 4/5
Yes, but entertaining. Might be too focused for those not as obsessed with American history as Vowell, but you will learn a great deal.