Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell

Many of us have heard of the Marquis de Lafayette at some point in our lives, whether he was a footnote in our high school history books or if we have stopped to look at the sign on the statue outside of the Tippecanoe County courthouse. But have we ever wondered who this man was that inspired the names of countless towns, parks, and streets around the country? The story of Lafayette and his role in American history is fascinating. He was a 19-year-old who abandoned his pregnant wife to come to America in search of military glory (not just without pay, but at his own expense). He was a cunning strategist, valuable ally, and good friend to George Washington. He was a celebrity so huge that when he returned to America in 1824, more than 80,000 New Yorkers (65% of the city’s population) came out to greet his ship, and his face was plastered on commemorative souvenirs including women’s gloves. Intrigued? So was I. The story of Lafayette and the French government’s role in the revolution is a complicated one, and Vowell faces the challenge head on, digging deep into both Lafayette’s life and the events of the war, telling the tale in a way only she can.

Sarah Vowell is one of those authors who is difficult to describe. On the surface it appears she writes about American history, but there is so much more to her books than that. She includes social commentary, witticisms, and her own personal experiences and thoughts. In Lafayette, she is quick to point out that she is not an historian but an "historian-adjacent, narrative nonfiction wiseguy,” which is a pretty accurate description. Where she really shines is in her ability to make historical events not just relatable, but pertinent to modern life. This is not just the story of Lafayette and the French, but also a story of the often contentious beginnings of our country. This is the somewhat United States, a country founded on disagreement and compromise and the strain of states’ rights vs. the federal government. The struggles we see today are not new, and, Vowell argues, are what make such a large country full of such disparate interests and factions somehow work.

Lafayette in the Somewhat United States is a well-researched, entertaining read for anyone who enjoys their history with a dose of humor and insight. 
-posted by Portia Kapraun