Sarah Vowell

Lafayette in the Somewhat United States Sarah Vowell

Publisher Marketing: 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. Review Citations: Library Journal Prepub Alert 05/15/2015 pg. 56 (EAN 9781594631740, Hardcover) Kirkus Reviews 05/15/2015 pg. 34 (EAN 9781594631740, Hardcover) Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2015 (EAN 9781594631740, Hardcover) Publishers Weekly 07/27/2015 (EAN 9781594631740, Hardcover) Library Journal 09/01/2015 pg. 119 (EAN 9781594631740, Hardcover) Contributor Bio:  Vowell, Sarah 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. Contributor Bio:  Slattery, John 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."Contributor Bio:  Cannavale, Bobby Bobby Cannavale is a film, stage, and television actor. He has appeared in numerous television shows and films, but he is perhaps best known for his role as a reincarnated matchmaker on ABC's Cupid. He won an Emmy for his guest appearance on the hit show "Will & Grace". Contributor Bio:  Offerman, Nick Nick Offerman is People magazine s Sexiest Man Alive 2012: Moustache Edition, currently stars in the NBC series Parks and Recreation. His numerous television and movie appearances include roles in Childrens Hospital, 21 Jump Street, and The Men Who Stare at Goats. Offerman lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Megan Mullally, where he spends his time off-set running the Offerman Woodshop, where he builds canoes, dining room tables, and mustache combs.