The Partly Cloudy Patriot

In the title piece of this collection of personal stories, Sarah Vowell addresses her ambivalent relationship to American history and citizenship. Elsewhere, she confronts a wide range of subjects, themes, icons and historical moments: Vietnam and Watergate; Canadian Mounties and German filmmakers; Starbucks and Buffy the Vampire Slayer; twins and nerds; the Gettysburg Address; and George W. Bush's inauguration.