Assassination Vacation

Funny, Fascinating, Fast Reading

This is one of my favorite books. It is a great story of history and the happen-chance meetings and situations that are woven into it. Many fascinating stories - especially enjoyable for those of us who enjoy trivia - written in a very lively, free-flowing style. Very enjoyable read.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Read, but with caution

A well researched book that is entertaining. However the author's far leftist political views pop constantly throughout every chapter thus making this book more of a vehicle for her agenda than a interesting and provocative read. I suggest this book, however be forewarned of the political nonsense that is interwoven in what is otherwise a thoroughly enjoyable book.

3 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

I did not finish this book!

We picked this book in our Book Club because it sounded like an interesting read. Her liberal politics and confusing writing style got in the way of, what could have been, a very interesting topic.

3 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

Amazing

So I do tend to identify with Sarah's polotics, but even beyond that...I'm obsessed with her. She is an amazing and witty writer. Reading one of her books is like having a little chat with a friend. In fact, sometimes I imagine the conversation I would have if I were at dinner with Sarah, David Sedaris, and Ira Glass. They love me; it's excellent.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Best Book I've 'Heard' in Years

I loved this book on several levels: first, its content. I've always been interested in and have studied the Presidents, and the author did an amazing amount of research. Second, the writing itself: I'm crazy about how Ms. Vowell writes. It's wry and sly and just how I'd love to be able to write myself. And, a bonus with the audiobook is that it's read by the author herself. Her voice takes a few minutes to get used to, but once you do get used to it, you just can't imagine anyone else reading this book and doing it the proper justice. I can't recommend this book highly enough!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Another hilarious selection from Sarah Vowell

Sarah Vowell, famous for her unique '3rd grader' voice, is a history buff as well as a great writer. In 'Assassination Vacation' Sarah and sometimes her friends (she doesn't drive) travel along the country's famous and not-so-famous landmarks commemorating the assassination of 3 US Presidents. She goes every where from the Ford Theatre, to the Mudd House (now a museum) to the jail where they sent Dr. Mudd on a little island. This book is a hilarious, fast paced read sure to keep your attention!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

good stuff

I enjoyed this book. If you are interested in presidential assassinations but don't feel like nodding off in between lines of dry, academic drivel...this is the book for you. It presents the facts in a well organized way with a little humor thrown in; I should emphasize 'a little humor' because some of the jokes just are not funny. However there is an O.C. reference which saved the day for me. I also took a walk around Chelsea and checked out some of the buildings and statues. It got me excited about leader-of-the-free-world death all over again.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great read!

Fun, entertaining, educational, and very well written. Love books that make me laugh outloud!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Sarah scores again

This was a great, quick read. There were a lot of laugh outloud moments and neat little factoids. I love how Sarah Vowell makes you feel like you're right there with her, along for the all the excitement in the discovery of our shared past.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Learned a Lot!

This is on my list of favorites. It is funny, and I learned so much. I have added some other books related to this one to my B&N wishlist. I never thought of Abe Lincoln as "interesting" however I do now.
This book would have been uselful when I was in school, and American History was as fun as a trip to the dentist! I'm giving it to my daughter to use as a reference for school.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A Definite Must-Read

This is one of those books that I could easily read more than once (and actually, I have). Like all of Sarah Vowell's other books, it is well written and engaging. If only all history books were this interesting.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

slightly morbid travel log and excellent history

Can't put Assassination Vacation down! Sarah's prose takes the reader into her world of history and makes it come alive! Would be an excellent book for a teenager disinterested in History Book history. It might have been nice had she and the publisher included books for further reading and/or source notes. Otherwise its huge fun and you can learn lots too!! Such a bargan

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book, even for the non-History expert

The latest offering from Sarah Vowell fails to dissapoint. It is an amazing book, that is 100% history, but 100% of Sarah's unique writing and humor. I highly recommend it to everyone.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very good!

This is a very good book -- plenty of actual history, with great wit and style to really make things interesting. I really enjoyed it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Read to Die For

I highly recommend this book, as a former Thanatology student and American History buff I found this book very intersesting and extremely witty. (Although I disagree with Ms. Vowell's politics) Sarah concentrated on three Republican Presidential assassinations which has me a bit curious. You will definitely enjoy this book !

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Garfield who?

I bought this book because I saw her interview on the Daily Show on Comedy Central, and I thought it interesting that there was a book written by such a young woman about the assassination of one very well-known president, Lincoln, and two less-known presidents, Garfield and McKinley. Her dedicated interest in the subject peaked mine...and I could relate to her eloquent nerdiness. The book is a great narrative that weaves in and out of modern and historical politics, and draws intriguing lines of coincidence and not-so-coincidental stories between each assassination. Being a reader who mostly enjoys fiction, this book was able to keep me entertained throughout - I even laughed out loud once or twice on the train during my morning commute. Her enthusiasm and fascination with these events made the book that much more fun for me to read because as I was following along on her pilgrimmage, I was taking notes on what I would do on mine when I go to visit my sister in DC this July. Good stuff!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not 'Cannoli,' but...

Even at her most disjointed, Sarah Vowell never ceases to make a reader laugh out loud or think. 'Assassination Vacation' is not the best thing she has ever written, not by a longshot, but this tour through some of our country's more unknown (and sometimes morbid) historical sites is a long, meandering wander through Ms. Vowell's psyche as well. It's worth the trip. Oh, and you'll never utter the phrase 'Seward Plaque,' without thinking of her and you will utter it, trust me.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

To etho

Idiot

Etho

"HOW AM I AN IDIOT?!?" He twirled around, his bow drawn.

A flaming atheistic liberal using every opportunity to sarcastic

A flaming atheistic liberal using every opportunity to sarcastically slime any opinion that she does not hold.  Tries to build herself up by pulling others down