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.

July 1, 2015
Another Vowell-ian romp through history, politics, and pop culture, this time revisiting the story of Lafayette, the French contributions to victory in the American Revolution, and his farewell tour through the United States in 1824. Readers of Vowell's previous books (Unfamiliar Fishes, 2011, etc.) will recognize yet another pleasantly snarky work that belongs on any shelf of first-rate satire. Her peripatetic research techniques remain: visit the sites, walk the ground, read the books, talk with relevant folks (here, she recounts her chat with a Lafayette impersonator at Williamsburg). Vowell also continually yanks us back to the present, commenting sharply on such things as our current political polarization. The "sweet-natured republic Lafayette foretold," she writes, hasn't exactly occurred. Vowell also uses slang and cliche as light artillery, deploying them so that shells explode expectedly. When she writes that Lafayette was trying to put the toothpaste back into the tube, we laugh as well as learn. Vowell takes some bayonet thrusts at religious fanatics, at the current American right, and at the brainless hatred of all things French during the Gulf War (despite the fact that the French saved us at Yorktown). Although she focuses principally on the war years, she does cover, lightly, Lafayette's 1824 return-and (rare for her) misses an opportunity to mention that young Edgar Allan Poe, at 15 a member of the Morgan Riflemen, participated in the celebrations in Richmond. Several times, the author mentions the British spy Maj. John Andre but neglects to note his spectral appearances in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." But she doesn't miss much else. Vowell reminds us of George Washington's early failures in the war (and of those in the government who wanted to replace him) and that there used to be an "Evacuation Day" in New York City to celebrate the departure of the British. An enlightening and entertaining blend of history and edged attitude.

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September 1, 2015

At the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, unemployed French soldiers seeking fame, incomes, and revenge against the British were anxious to join American forces. The Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), inspired by revolutionary ideals and motivated by glory, was 19 when he left his wife and defied the king to volunteer in the colonials' noble rebellion. George Washington gambled on him and other imported soldiers, taking advantage of their eagerness and sometimes questionable skills and experience. Vowell (Unfamiliar Fishes), author, journalist, essayist, and commentator, wittily explores the enduring American affection for Lafayette, which was demonstrated by Americans' enthusiastic reception during his U.S. visit in 1824. She describes Lafayette's "military ardor"; his lust for glory and melodramatic, fawning manner; and his heroism, which benefitted the American cause while also reminding readers of bureaucratic incompetence, incongruities between principles and conduct (then and now), and even crucial French military and naval contributions to American independence (particularly at Yorktown). The author emphasizes that, despite current and past disunity, Americans possess the invaluable freedom to express opposing opinions. VERDICT Vowell's lively, droll style will attract readers to this cleverly crafted, well-researched book. It is especially recommended to those who are convinced that history is dry. [See Prepub Alert, 4/20/15.]--Margaret Kappanadze, Elmira Coll. Lib., NY

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