The Partly Cloudy Patriot

When it comes to books by Sarah Vowell I agree with Mae West: too much of a good thing can be wonderful. Add to that the fact I can listen to Vowell chatter through her own narrative (with occasional help from voice actors like Seth Green and Stephen Colbert) while making coffee and peeling potatoes, and her audio books make a pretty addictive combination.

The Partly Cloudy Patriot covers Vowell's thoughts from the Bush-Gore campaign through the aftermath of September 11th. She renders this very un-funny period of American history in a series of humorous essays that explore her family, friends, and personal history.

In an essay called "The Nerd Voice" Vowell theorizes that Al Gore would have had a better shot at getting elected if he'd hired Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator, Joss Whedon, to write his campaign speeches. Vowell defines herself as a "post modern nerd-" that is, a nerd who has learned to be endearing to non-nerds through the art of self-deprecation. She cites Whedon's character, Willow, as the ideal post modern nerd, and asks if a dose of self-deprecation to squash the media's know-it-all perception of Gore might have given him enough of a landslide to take the presidency.

In another essay Vowell talks about going to Bush's inauguration. She cried. She also insisted on singing the national anthem as loudly as she could- even when the protesters all around her refused to sing. That is, in essence, The Partly Cloudy Patriot. It is Sarah Vowell expressing her genuine care for her country by both loving and criticizing it.