pharmdad2007's review against another edition
4.0
This was a terrific book about the assassinations of three presidents, Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley. Highly recommend!
mazza57's review against another edition
3.0
well this is really about 2.5 stars for me There are bits that are engaging and even humorous but a lot of it is dull
meredithw20's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was a hoot. Admittedly, listening to it may skew my reaction toward the heart-eyes-emoji, but I'm not concerned. I learned a lot, giggled a lot, got slightly bored in the latter half of the Garfield chapter, but still thoroughly enjoyed this.
antithesis90's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in tandem with seeing "Lincoln" and found them a very good match. Naturally, as Lincoln's assassination is the most documented and (in many's minds) most interesting, it takes up half the book. I found this section of Vowell's book to be typical of her writing: funny, thought-provoking and educational.
The other two assassinations (Garfield's and McKinley's) fulfilled the first two points above, but I was left wanting to know more about their assassins, the fall-out from their assassinations, etc. Most of McKinley's section talked about his VP, TR, so I felt that I knew very little about McKinley himself and even less about his assassin.
I was surprised to find Garfield so interesting and the events surrounding his death to be so relevant to today's political climate.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in presidential and/or American history, politics or drama.
The other two assassinations (Garfield's and McKinley's) fulfilled the first two points above, but I was left wanting to know more about their assassins, the fall-out from their assassinations, etc. Most of McKinley's section talked about his VP, TR, so I felt that I knew very little about McKinley himself and even less about his assassin.
I was surprised to find Garfield so interesting and the events surrounding his death to be so relevant to today's political climate.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in presidential and/or American history, politics or drama.
inthecommonhours's review against another edition
4.0
More accurately, currently listening to...
ETA: Really enjoyed. Would have enjoyed reading it even more, I imagine. I was seduced by all the names involved in the cd (Stephen King, Jon Stewart) but their contribution was so minimal. And the ironic wit that I would have relished while reading came off a bit curt and sour when listened to while driving little boys around.
Library check-out.
ETA: Really enjoyed. Would have enjoyed reading it even more, I imagine. I was seduced by all the names involved in the cd (Stephen King, Jon Stewart) but their contribution was so minimal. And the ironic wit that I would have relished while reading came off a bit curt and sour when listened to while driving little boys around.
Library check-out.
lgiegerich's review against another edition
5.0
this book was awesome. humorous, patriotic, and obviously researched to within an inch of its life. inspired me to download the Assassins soundtrack, and read another book about the Lincoln assassination. everyone should read it.
heatherbirchall's review against another edition
3.0
The narrative moved around so much that this book could get confusing, but I did love the descriptions of the small museums/historic houses Vowell visited.
shawnwhy's review against another edition
5.0
this is super fun, with alot of fun historical facts about the times and personages