Lafayette in the Somewhat United States
Sarah Vowell
Oct 2015 · Simon and Schuster · Narrated by Sarah Vowell, Alexis Denisof, John Slattery, Patton Oswalt, Fred Armisen, John Hodgman, Stephanie March, Nick Offerman, and Bobby Cannavale
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5 reviews
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8 hr 7 min
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From the bestselling author of Assassination Vacation and Unfamiliar Fishes, a humorous account of the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette—the one Frenchman we could all agree on—and an insightful portrait of a nation's idealism and its reality.
On August 16, 1824, an elderly French gentlemen sailed into New York Harbor and giddy Americans were there to welcome him. Or, rather, to welcome him back. It had been thirty years since the Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette had last set foot in the United States, and he was so beloved that 80,000 people showed up to cheer for him. The entire population of New York at the time was 120,000.
Lafayette's arrival in 1824 coincided with one of the most contentious presidential elections in American history, Congress had just fought its first epic battle over slavery, and the threat of a Civil War loomed. But Lafayette, belonging to neither North nor South, to no political party or faction, was a walking, talking reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of the revolutionary generation and what they wanted this country to be. His return was not just a reunion with his beloved Americans, it was a reunion for Americans with their own astonishing singular past.
Lafayette in the Somewhat United States is a humorous and insightful portrait of the famed Frenchman, the impact he had on our young country, and his ongoing relationship with some of the instrumental Americans of the time, including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and many more.
On August 16, 1824, an elderly French gentlemen sailed into New York Harbor and giddy Americans were there to welcome him. Or, rather, to welcome him back. It had been thirty years since the Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette had last set foot in the United States, and he was so beloved that 80,000 people showed up to cheer for him. The entire population of New York at the time was 120,000.
Lafayette's arrival in 1824 coincided with one of the most contentious presidential elections in American history, Congress had just fought its first epic battle over slavery, and the threat of a Civil War loomed. But Lafayette, belonging to neither North nor South, to no political party or faction, was a walking, talking reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of the revolutionary generation and what they wanted this country to be. His return was not just a reunion with his beloved Americans, it was a reunion for Americans with their own astonishing singular past.
Lafayette in the Somewhat United States is a humorous and insightful portrait of the famed Frenchman, the impact he had on our young country, and his ongoing relationship with some of the instrumental Americans of the time, including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and many more.
From the bestselling author of Assassination Vacation and Unfamiliar Fishes, a humorous account of the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette—the one Frenchman we could all agree on—and an insightful portrait of a nation's idealism and its reality.
On August 16, 1824, an elderly French gent...
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Ratings and reviews
5 reviews
Wanderly
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November 26, 2019
An amazing collage of Lafayette, the American Revolution, and the ironic ripple of history overlayed with found objects from the POV (wherein POV = Perspective of Vowell). Although Vowell's distinctive style marks the text as her own, I suggest the audiobook for full effect and appreciation. A fine, entertaining read that, beneath the wit, gives a detailed, nuanced understanding of The American Revolution and Lafayette's role. Thank you, Mz. Vowell! You never disappoint. Never.
Pj Johnson
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June 28, 2020
I love the this reading. great performance and wonderfully written
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.
John Slattery has starred on Broadway in Rabbit Hole, Betrayal, and Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Off-Broadway credits include Three Days of Rain (L.A. Critics Award, Drama Desk nom.), and The Lisbon Traviata. On television he has been seen in Ed, K Street, Sex & the City, and Will & Grace. Films include Flags of Our Fathers, Mona Lisa Smile, The Station Agent,Traffic, and Sleepers.
Patton Oswalt is a comedian, actor, writer, and the New York Times bestselling author of Zombie Spaceship Wasteland and Silver Screen Fiend. His acclaimed stand-up career includes the Emmy and Grammy Award–winning Talking for Clapping, as well as the Grammy-nominated specials and albums Annihilation, I Love Everything, and We All Scream. As an actor and voice performer, he is known for The King of Queens, Parks and Recreation, A.P. Bio, Big Fan, Young Adult, and for voicing Remy in Pixar’s Ratatouille. He lives in Los Angeles.
John Slattery has starred on Broadway in Rabbit Hole, Betrayal, and Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Off-Broadway credits include Three Days of Rain (L.A. Critics Award, Drama Desk nom.), and The Lisbon Traviata. On television he has been seen in Ed, K Street, Sex & the City, and Will & Grace. Films include Flags of Our Fathers, Mona Lisa Smile, The Station Agent,Traffic, and Sleepers.
Patton Oswalt is a comedian, actor, writer, and the New York Times bestselling author of Zombie Spaceship Wasteland and Silver Screen Fiend. His acclaimed stand-up career includes the Emmy and Grammy Award–winning Talking for Clapping, as well as the Grammy-nominated specials and albums Annihilation, I Love Everything, and We All Scream. As an actor and voice performer, he is known for The King of Queens, Parks and Recreation, A.P. Bio, Big Fan, Young Adult, and for voicing Remy in Pixar’s Ratatouille. He lives in Los Angeles.
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.
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