Helpful Score: 1
In The Wordy Shipmates we are shown that the Puritans life was not Thanksgiving every day. They fought with the Indians,they fought the British and they fought with each other.
I found I liked The Wordy Shipmates near the end where she describes a trip with her niece and nephew to Boston. During a reenactment of the Puritans war against the Indians, author Sarah Vowells nephew, who is wincing through violent scenes, asks when do they have Thanksgiving. Vowells answer is 16 years earlier. I like that because I related with the boy as he learned about the history but that was only one sentence or more.
I found this a very hard read. I picked it up because I had seen Vowell on The Daily Show and I liked her sense of humor. I found myself trying to read and not understanding what I read. From other reviews it seems I picked the wrong Sarah Vowell book to start with. The fact that it had no chapters was not a good thing. It needed something to breakup what was being learned.
I wish I could have connected with the book and understood better to especially catch the humor.
As for now I will be on the lookout for Vowells early books. This one is going to the exchange pile.
I found I liked The Wordy Shipmates near the end where she describes a trip with her niece and nephew to Boston. During a reenactment of the Puritans war against the Indians, author Sarah Vowells nephew, who is wincing through violent scenes, asks when do they have Thanksgiving. Vowells answer is 16 years earlier. I like that because I related with the boy as he learned about the history but that was only one sentence or more.
I found this a very hard read. I picked it up because I had seen Vowell on The Daily Show and I liked her sense of humor. I found myself trying to read and not understanding what I read. From other reviews it seems I picked the wrong Sarah Vowell book to start with. The fact that it had no chapters was not a good thing. It needed something to breakup what was being learned.
I wish I could have connected with the book and understood better to especially catch the humor.
As for now I will be on the lookout for Vowells early books. This one is going to the exchange pile.
Helpful Score: 1
I have read many non-fiction books (including history books) in that past and they are usually very dry. I would read a little and then have to absorb it. Not this book. The author's writing style took a tiny bit of getting used to at first but then I felt like reading it just flowed along. I could keep reading it like a novel but was learning so much at the same time. I would recommend it.
Helpful Score: 1
I had SO looked forward to this book, after thoroughly enjoying "The Partly Cloudy Patriot" and "Assassination Vacation". But this book just wasn't as good as her previous books.
I think what was missing from this book was the author! In her previous books she was more an active participant in discovering the history, and she was better able to inject her snarkiness and humor. Her experiences and reactions were what made the books so funny.
Here, however, the book was the author's retelling of Puritan history, but without enough participatory experiences. It definitely had its moments where the author's voice shined through, but it had way too many excerpts from old Puritan texts, that slowed down the narrative just because they were more difficult to read.
I did learn something, and am glad I read the book. I just didn't enjoy it as much as I had the author's previous works. If you've never read Sarah Vowell before, don't start with this one. Pick up "Assassination Vacation" instead. :)
I think what was missing from this book was the author! In her previous books she was more an active participant in discovering the history, and she was better able to inject her snarkiness and humor. Her experiences and reactions were what made the books so funny.
Here, however, the book was the author's retelling of Puritan history, but without enough participatory experiences. It definitely had its moments where the author's voice shined through, but it had way too many excerpts from old Puritan texts, that slowed down the narrative just because they were more difficult to read.
I did learn something, and am glad I read the book. I just didn't enjoy it as much as I had the author's previous works. If you've never read Sarah Vowell before, don't start with this one. Pick up "Assassination Vacation" instead. :)
This is a very humorous take on American history by someone who obviously loves our country but just can't help herself from poking fun at our forefathers of the Puritan persuasion. I was disappointed the author had to make jabs to show her very liberal leanings; it detracted from the general jocularity of these essays. Sarah Vowell lampoons everyone from John Winthrop to Roger Williams, to Anne Hutchinson. She weaves an amusing tale; American history will never seem the same.
Frankly, I really didn't like the author reading this book; I would have preferred someone else to have spoken her words. She may be a regular on radio/TV, I don't know. But her delivery left much to be desired.
Frankly, I really didn't like the author reading this book; I would have preferred someone else to have spoken her words. She may be a regular on radio/TV, I don't know. But her delivery left much to be desired.
Part alternative history part Americana. this book is well written and brings new insight from Sarah's investigation into first hand historical sources.
This book is amazing! Sarah Vowell has such a wonderful voice and biting wit. I plowed through 158 pages in one day! If you have an interest in history, New England, or the belief system that sent our founding fathers over in a ship you should definitely read this book!
A pretty good book, for someone who thinks more horizontally than vertically. She doesn't talk too much about her travels to research, although her insidious nephew Owen does make occasional appearances.
