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Sarah Vowell

Assassination Vacation Paperback – February 6, 2006

by Sarah Vowell (Author)

671 ratings

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New York Times bestselling author of The Wordy Shipmates and contributor to NPR’s This American Life Sarah Vowell embarks on a road trip to sites of political violence, from Washington DC to Alaska, to better understand our nation’s ever-evolving political system and history.

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 all kinds of lighter diversions along the way 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.

Print length

258 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Simon & Schuster
Publication date

February 6, 2006
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.6 x 8.44 inches
ISBN-10

074326004X
ISBN-13

978-0743260046
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A learned, engagingly discursive, funny, sometimes even jolly ramble -- literally -- through the landscape of American presidential assassinations...Vowell makes an excellent traveling companion, what with her rare combination of erudition and cheek." -- Bruce Handy, The New York Times Book Review

"[Vowell's] gift is one of cosmic inclusion -- allowing the natural collision of intellect and personality, rigorous research, and generational quirks." -- Joan Anderman, The Boston Globe

About the Author

Sarah Vowell is a contributing editor for public radio's This American Life and has written for Time, Esquire, GQ, Spin, Salon, McSweeneys, The Village Voice, and the Los Angeles Times. She is the author of Radio On, Take the Cannoli, and The Partly Cloudy Patriot. She lives in New York City.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster; Reprint edition (February 6, 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 258 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 074326004X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0743260046
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.44 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #80,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #67 in Political Humor (Books)
- #182 in General Travel Reference
- #261 in Travelogues & Travel Essays

Customer Reviews:
671 ratings

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Sarah Vowell

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Sarah Vowell is the author of the bestselling Assassination Vacation, The Partly Cloudy Patriot, Take the Cannoli, and Radio On. She is a contributing editor for public radio's "This American Life." She is also a McSweeney's person and the voice of teenage superhero Violet Parr in Pixar Animation Studios' "The Incredibles."

Photo by Tammy Lo (tammylo) (Flickr) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

5 star		59%
4 star		23%
3 star		9%
2 star		4%
1 star		5%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Linda C. Wright

Just my kind of vacation!

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2016

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In my quest to become well read, I've become hooked on a PBS show called "Well Read". The hosts are bookworms who know just the right questions to ask the authors appearing on the show. Each week features one author who has released a new book and then we are treated to a list of similar books that a reader would find comparable.

Sarah Vowell discussed her new book, Lafayette in the Somewhat United States. While Lafayette is an interesting character, when she mentioned Lincoln and Garfield in Assassination Vacation, my fascination peaked. Since I was unfamiliar with Ms. Vowell's work, a book on a topic I was interested in seemed like a good place to start.

Sarah is a history buff and her research is flawless. She vacations at all kinds of remote spots and hideaways where long forgotten bits of history have happened. And she drags her friends, twin sister and 3 year old nephew, Owen, along with her. They all seem to understand this quirky side of her and happily investigate with her. We are lead down dark trails and city sidewalks in search of the plaque that marks the historical spot. I never knew we were a nation of so many plaques. I'll pay more attention to them next time.

The tales of assassinations of our presidents are told in a funny, sarcastic and entertaining way. I learned so much by reading Sarah's version. Fifty percent of this book was dedicated to the story of Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth, Dr. Mudd and the people surrounding them. I enjoyed that but I was really looking forward to learning about Garfield. Sarah didn't devote as many pages to Garfield much to my disappointment. I'm kind of a freak about Cleveland and Lakeview Cemetery where he's entombed. I visited it on my vacation.

Assassination Vacation is a great way to learn about the rich and diverse history of the United States. Sarah puts her own personal spin on what can be dry and dull. Laughter is not only the best medicine but can also be the best teacher.

20 people found this helpful

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Stephanie W.B.

Interesting read, lacks cohesion

Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2020

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Somewhat disjointed, this book, though full of interesting historical tidbits and humor, is lacking a cohesive narrative that truly ties the book together. Yes, it does feature the assassinations of Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley, all of whom were killed while serving as presidents to our nation. No, the book doesn't seem to die the assassinations together in a way that would provide a unifying structure to the book (other than the presence of Lincoln's oldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln, at a crucial moment in the deaths). I was hoping for some sort of overarching theme or message. I do appreciate Cowell's insights regarding the McKinley presidency/Spanish American War and the George W. Bush presidency/Iraq war, especially in the shadow of our current president. The most defining message of the book seems to be that history repeats itself, which is certainly undeniable. A worthy read, yet flawed.

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susannah Bianchi

A Vacation, Assassination or Otherwise

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2020

Verified Purchase

I'm very grateful it came so fast being sheltered in New York City since the middle of March.

The book itself, Assassination Vacation, by Sarah Vowell, is a great read penned in 2005. In a humorously, ghoulish way, she takes you to the sites where 4 American Presidents more or less breathed their last....a must read for any history lover.

The used copy I received is in great shape, not bent nor worn, just comfy, like a cozy pajama top or flannel short your boyfriend lent you.

I like used books, because...if they could only talk, imagine what they'd say.

I'd order from this site again. Quite pleased I am.

Susannah Bianchi

Helpful

J. LECAPPELAIN

Who has the best tomb - Lincoln, Garfield or McKinley? Find out.

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2015

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I am slowly working my way through Sarah Vowell's books once again and started with my favorite, Assassination Vacation. Like Ms. Vowell, I have always been a fan of American history, especially the more macabre elements. I stumbled upon this book a few years ago on accident, as someone unfamiliar with Sarah's work. I read the book rapidly the first time I read it, just as I read it rapidly this time.

For the most part, I think this book is fantastic. I enjoy the enthusiasm Sarah shares with her readers, as her passion for the subject matter is evident. The book covers the assassinations of three of our presidents - James Garfield, William McKinley and a fellow by the name of Lincoln. The first time reading through I was disappointed there was not anything about Kennedy’s assassination, but it works better focusing on the three within a forty-year span like Sarah does (besides, a sequel focusing on the assassination’s during the 1960s would be a must purchase for me). The book primarily focuses on Lincoln’s killing, which makes sense given the spectacle of it and its impact on the United States, as well as Lincoln’s reputation. Garfield and McKinley receive less attention, but the sites of their assassinations are no longer standing and feature lone, deranged gunmen. Charles Guiteau, the killer of Garfield, appears in all his insanity and is something to behold. Readers, especially the uninitiated, will likely relish this section. The coverage of McKinley’s assassination is rather brisk, with more emphasis on his successor than the action itself.

The one ding I have on this book, which lowers it a bit in my eyes, is that the passion exhibited by Vowell covering Lincoln’s assassination fades somewhat on the other two. I am glad she covered the other two, but feel that they were a bit rushed. An entire book focused on Lincoln would have been easy to accomplish and likely attracted more outside attention. Two other books, “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President” by Candice Millard (about Garfield’s shooting and the aftermath) and “The President and the Assassin: McKinley, Terror, and Empire at the Dawn of the American Century” by Scott Miller (about McKinley, natch), show that Sarah could have dug a little deeper. Perhaps her travelling companions were weirdos and tired of looking at the morbid.

This is a very good book, however, and certainly worth your time. And to answer my earlier question, Garfield's tomb wins. Lincoln's is the most regal, but there is a gothic darkness at Garfield's that you have to experience.

8 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Christian Clarkson

American History 101

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 25, 2013

Verified Purchase

I probably have a slightly unhealthy interest in untimely death, so I was looking forward to reading about political assassinations, and I wasn't let down! This book approaches them in a lighthearted yet ultimately highly informative way, and reflects on their interaction with American Museum culture which was interesting for me as an art historian.

One person found this helpful

scribbler-j

Lincoln Centric

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2014

Verified Purchase

This book was an enjoyable read, with enough historical fact to be educational too. The coverage of Lincoln and the surrounding characters dominates, Garfield and McKinley are relatively lightly covered, but not to the extent it ruins the balance.

One person found this helpful

Robert Muir

History made easy

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 12, 2013

Verified Purchase

If you like history but think the books will be boring this is for you. Easy to read but very informative and full of some very strange facts.

Starr

My FAVORITE Sarah Vowell book!

Reviewed in Germany on February 11, 2016

Verified Purchase

I love ALL of Sarah Vowell books, but this one by far is my favorite. It's full of interesting historical facts (like all her books), funny, witty and sassy(like all her books) but somehow this one was just the most interesting. I first listened to the audio book (because I love hearing Sarah Vowell's voice), but then I had to buy the book so I could read it with a highlighter and mark up the really interesting parts.

Jen

love her!

Reviewed in Canada on August 30, 2013

Verified Purchase

I think this is the best out of the three I've read. Such a sarcastic and entertaining way to share history!

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