Wednesday, October 29, 2008

New Book by a local hero


I am currently reading "The Wordy Shipmates" by Sarah Vowell. I first heard about the new book on John Stewart's "The Daily Show" when she was a recent guest. Before I talk about the book, a little about Sarah. She was born in Muskogee and grew up in Braggs. She and her family moved to Montana when she was a teen. She is part Cherokee and her great grandmother graduated the Cherokee Female Seminary. She says, Being at least a little Cherokee in northeastern Oklahoma is about as rare and remarkable as being a Michael Jordan fan in Chicago." I first heard her on one of my favorite radio shows, "This American Life" where she is a contributor. She was also the voice of Violet the teen in the animated movie "The Incredibles."

She is a frequently on Conan O'Brien and has been on The Cobert Report and Letterman.

She is a funny if not demented person.


The book is about the Puritans and their journey to America. It is history, comedy, social commentary all-in-one. Her talking about Thanksgiving is a hoot. She first describes that her knowledge of Thanksgiving was based on Elementary school and episodes of the Brady Bunch and Bewitched! Listening on Audio is the best because of her unique voice and friends who lend their voices including Bill Hader, Campbell Scott, Dermot Mulroney, Catherine Keener, Jill Clayburgh and T Bone Burnett.


You need an open mind for this one! But I am enjoying it. It is a good read in this political season.


2 comments:

Vote Smith-Soap June 25 said...

I ordered this book online yesterday. Great minds think alike.

Vote Smith-Soap June 25 said...

And her voice is absolutely mesmerizing.