read this

I picked up this book last week after catching Sarah Vowell's appearance on Jon Stewarts' Daily Show. She wasn't the greatest guest (too nerdy), but I did find her book's premise very interesting. It took me all of a few hours to devour this book. It's informative, funny, and highly entertaining.

Instead of hitting South Beach for rays, Sarah spends her vacations visiting sites of historical significance throughout the states with her friends and family members. This collection of essays focuses on her visits to the presidential assassination sites (and auxiliary points of interest) of Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley.

In the creepy category - Robert Todd Lincoln was the Jessica Fletcher of his time since he was in the vicinity of all three assassinations. Later in life, after falling onto NYCity train tracks, he was pulled to safety by Edwin Booth, John Wilkes' brother.

Why did I not know that Garfield was assassinated? I'll admit to sleeping through my high school english classes, but I distinctly remember paying attention during history classes. I'm certain this wasn't covered in any of my Mr. Greene's or Mr. Elia's lesson plans. Very disappointing.

I enjoyed this book so much that I picked up and am almost through with her previous book Partly Cloudy Patriot. Next on deck is Take the Cannoli and Radio On: A Listeners Diary. I'm sorry I didn't discover her any sooner.

Must force myself to listen to NPR.

By the by, a google image search for Sarah kept coming up with pictures of Violet from the Incredibles. It turns out Sarah voiced the character and clearly looks a lot like her.