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. A book about politics, presidents, pop culture, patriotism and pretty much everything else that matters in the world today, "The Partly Cloudy Patriot" is a refreshing, thought-provoking guide to the crazy heart of America.