The Partly Cloudy Patriot Audiobook

Quotes

• “Even though her pieces make us laugh about every fourth line, we feel as if there’s something more significant at work…A writer of fierce observational powers who wears her intelligence and wit as comfortably as an old pair of pajamas.” 

  — San Francisco Chronicle

• “Intelligent and persuasive.” 

  — Entertainment Weekly

• “Sassy, learned pieces…Vowell is distinctive, excitable, and odd in a good way…A singular mixture of whimsy, honesty, and seriousness.”

  — Atlanta Journal-Constitution

• “Her grasp of history and its implication is astounding.”

  — St. Petersburg Times

• “Vowell is charming, funny, and blessed with a knack for finding absurdities in mundane scenarios.”

  — Sunday Oregonian

• “You may wish that the engaging Vowell was your history teacher in high school. She knows her stuff. But, most of all, she loves this country.”

  — Charlotte Observer

• “An irresistible mix of acerbic wit and semi-apologetic fanaticism.”

  — Austin American-Statesman

• “Part history lesson, part civics primer, The Partly Cloudy Patriot is a treasure.”

  — Virginian-Pilot

• “Vowell’s collection of essays explores patriotism and other aspects of contemporary life from the refreshingly contrarian view of a thoughtfully disaffected, wryly outspoken, and deeply passionate citizen.” 

  — Hartford Courant

• “Vowell reveals herself to be a master at ferreting out the contradictions and hypocrisies that are unique to American society.”

  — Time Out New York

• “No one in recent memory has been as insightful on the direct pleasures and perils of voting, the misuse of Rosa Parks as a metaphor, the appeal of Canadians, and the relative merits of presidential libraries…eloquent…hilarious…Vowell, like David Sedaris, goes too far, cares too much, and remains a very anxious and extremely funny citizen and shady patriot.”

  — Publishers Weekly

• “An engrossing take on the suddenly sexy topic of love of country…Vowell puts the reader on notice that, sure, she’s funny, but supporting the quips is a rock-solid knowledge of history. Refreshing, inspiring, enchanting.”

  — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

• “A humorous, insightful, and informative look at one individual’s sense of patriotism.” 

  — Booklist

• “Part social commentary and part stand-up comedy routine for the intellectually inclined, this collection of essays…mines history and current events for insights into American life.”

  — Library Journal

• “These essays and commentaries from Vowell’s NPR radio appearances and other sources are curmudgeonly, critical, liberal, and…laugh-out-loud funny..Her wit and slightly quirky outlook make reading her book a pleasure. Teens, regardless of their political leanings, will enjoy the pop-culture connections and even learn some history while smiling at her delivery.”

  — School Library Journal

• “A solid thinker with a warm heart and a smart mouth…The Partly Cloudy Patriot is a great piece of writing, a sharp example of American goofing, funny and true, and fraught with deep contradiction, just like the country.”

  — Salon.com