Lafayette in the Somewhat United States

July 27, 2015
In this crash course on the fledgling nation’s teenaged French general, undoubtedly the only American Revolution narrative to offhandedly drop a Ferris Bueller reference, Vowell (Unfamiliar Fishes) retains her familiar casual tone and displays her crow-like ability to find the shiny, nearly forgotten historical details. Unimpressed by Lafayette’s nobility, she instead admires his cheekiness and rebellious nature—traits well-suited to involvement in both American and French revolutions. Lafayette’s loyalty to George Washington and the U.S. came back to him during his triumphant 1824 visit, when cheering American crowds celebrated his return in numbers that easily dwarfed the Beatles’ invasion 140 years later. Jocularity and cheerful irreverence permeate the story, though it feels as if Vowell tries a bit too hard to retain a light atmosphere during detail-heavy passages (her labeling of the Moravians of Bethlehem, Pa., as “a community of German-American Jesus freaks” is a prime example). Nevertheless, her combination of well-researched, obscure details with personal, family-filled anecdotes and references to recent events, such as the 2013 federal government shutdown, add plenty of sparkle to an old tale. The Vowell formula once again guarantees an entertaining, nontraditional look at American history and a fast, enjoyable read.

With her trademark droll and distinctive delivery and a wonderfully sharp ear for quotable facts and intelligent mischief, radio personality Sarah Vowell introduces listeners to the 19-year-old French aristocrat Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette, Marquis de Lafayette, who arrived in Philadelphia in the early days of the American Revolution; became a confidant of Washington, Jefferson, and Hamilton; and went on to become one of the most ardent and important supporters that the embryonic United States ever had. An A-list of recognizable voices, including those of John Hodgman reading John Adams and Nick Offerman portraying George Washington, delivers dozens of quotes from our forefathers. Vowell deftly stirs together tones of satire, superlative research, and, yes, patriotism to make American history irresistible. If she isn't a national treasure, she should be. B.P. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine