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"So I replaced my creed of everlasting life with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." (p. 11)

The author uses a simile to compare religion to her fascination and following of America and its history. She refers to The Godfather as one of her "sacred texts", which adds humor to the story but also further connects the two subjects. Vowell compares Jesus to Abraham Lincoln, both of whom were killed on Good Friday. The comparison between religion and American history may seem a bit extreme, but the simile ultimately sets the stage for the tone and contents of the book. Vowell uses this simile to put her interest in American history into her own perspective.

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"In the forensics novels the contents of a victim's pockets on the night of her death Say Something about her character." (p. 24)

In the paragraphs that follow this quote, Vowell discusses and romanticizes the contents of Booth and Lincoln's pockets at the time of their deaths. I'm not a fan of the writing here, due to the fact that earlier in the text she discussed how she wasn't a fan of presidents and assassins becoming martyrs after their deaths. Despite this belief, the artifacts strike an emotional chord with her, as she considers how they would've been used in the men's daily lives. The writing styles contradict each other here. I'd prefer the author's writing to be easily followed.

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"One man who makes cameo appearances in all three stories was not so lucky." (p. 14)

Why does the author refer to Robert Todd Lincoln so frequently? Multiple times throughout the text Vowell discusses Robert's association with the assassinations of the presidents, but never fully explains why. I believe she thinks it's an unbelievable coincidence, or possibly an undercover conspiracy theory. Even so, she never truly engages in the topic of why she's so fascinated with him. Unlike his father, Robert Todd Lincoln seems to have no rhyme or reason for Vowell's appreciation.

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"I pride myself on knowing my audience, so I'm shaken by Bennett's indifference." (p. 34)

Vowell's friends' interest in American history in no way matches her own, as seen in this example. I believe everyone has a certain interest or hobby other people just don't get, something nobody truly understands their interest in. Whether it be music, American history, or some other strange fascination, everyone has their thing. Her friends attempt to understand and support her in her endeavors, even though they don't share the same interests. It's important to stay open and positive to new experiences and to support your friends.

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"A totem pole commemorates that night." (p. 35)

In my opinion, the author spends way too long talking about these totem poles. The story is basically just one big misunderstanding, and definitely didn't need multiple in-depth pages discussing it. It doesn't relate back to the author's life or story, which I think deems it unnecessary. A paragraph or two would've been plenty to give the reader the breakdown of the story. The story of the totem poles of Seward and Lincoln ultimately has no effect on the plot.

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"The whole reason I wanted to take Owen to Disney World is that I fear someday he's going to look through his childhood photo album and wonder why all his vacations with his aunt took place at places like the McKinley Memorial and Wounded Knee." (p. 41)

The author shares the story of her nephew Owen to show the effect her American history obsession has on the people around her. She attempts to make it a fun and positive experience, but ultimately she understands that her interest isn't exactly common and does her best to please everyone. I believe this excerpt is important to the story. It shows how Vowell's hobby leaks into her daily life and the life of those around her. It gives a real life example of learning history, rather than just reading a brief summary in a textbook.

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"I remember I looked into applying for the program when I was younger, dropping the idea once I saw then-General Powell's name on the alumni list, realizing they were probably not looking for someone whose most impressive resume line was "college radio DJ."" (p. 44)

Like Vowell, I've found myself wanting something I wasn't quite qualified for. Whether it be a job or leadership position, I just didn't have the skills necessary. Despite any setbacks like these, I think it's important to take risks and put yourself out there. Failure builds character. If you never take any risks, you will never get the opportunities you desire.

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"That Robert sat out most of the war at Harvard was a political liability for his father, considering how willing he was to send other people's sons to the front." (p. 45)

The author uses a paradox to give the reader an insight into why others may not like Lincoln and his policies. By keeping his own son from the front, he becomes hypocritical when he urges the public to send their own sons essentially in his place. Although Vowell adores Lincoln, this specific example doesn't exactly paint him in a good light. The author recognizes this hypocrisy but attempts to explain in the following sentences. This paradox gives Lincoln a more human description, as we are shown something other than his glowing achievements.

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"There it lay upon the white china, a little black mass no bigger than the end of my finger--dull, motionless and harmless, yet the cause of such mighty changes in the world's history as we may perhaps never realize." (p.51)

Vowell chose to include this section that follows as a reminder that Lincoln was human just like the rest of us. He is often recognized in our minds as someone we simply read about in books, but he was killed simply by a piece of metal. The author later states that Lincoln's brain wasn't necessarily any bigger than the average, further showing us that he was a normal guy just like us. This helps to put into perspective the immense amount of pressure that lies on the president. The country expects one normal man to solve the country's problems and bring perfect peace, which isn't realistic.

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"This is where my grandfather paradox turns into the grandfather paradox paradox: to prevent my great-great-grandfather from doing wrong, I myself become a vigilante taking justice into my own hands, shooting somebody because I disagree with him." (p.65)

I found this section interesting, especially because Vowell executes it with excellent writing technique. Her style is easy to follow but also thought provoking. It keeps you interested as you consider all that the paradox contains. Although not directly related with the story line per se, this section still provides interesting and entertaining material. I prefer when Vowell writes in this style.

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"He also mentioned that the "meat, whose taint could be traced from its smell from one part of the fort to the other" was so rotten dogs ran away from it, and that the coffee was "slop."" (p.71)

Vowell uses hyperbole and exaggeration to truly describe the atrocities of Fort Jefferson. Although quoted from Arnold, the author includes them into her writing to prove just how horrid the fort was with a first hand account. Her traumatic boat ride to the island is symbolic of the horrors residents of Fort Jefferson back at that time experienced on a daily basis. The phrase "so rotten dogs ran away from it" largely shows the repulsiveness of the island. Overall, Vowell's figurative language in this section provides her with evidence to prove the poor state of Fort Jefferson.

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"Pointing my camera at the floor and taking a picture, I can't help but feel for them, how unthinkably demoralizing it must have been, sloshing around standing water that's a better habitat for mosquitoes than men." (p. 72)

Although I can't truly relate to living in a soggy fort, there have been times when I've felt my current situation was less than enjoyable. Vowell did not experience these either, only the remains of it. It's interesting to see how a truly horrid experience at the time can turn into a tale of bravery and perseverance later in history. I believe this story gives us a lesson of perseverance. No matter how poor your conditions may seem, everything happens for a reason and better things will come out of it.

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"... I get the same giddy feeling I do when leaping into a subway car a split second before the doors close, that feeling of How lucky am I?" (p. 78)

Frankly, Vowell's enthusiasm about the subject is annoying. She is far too passionate about American history for my taste. Of all the interesting things in the world, she chooses assassination of American presidents. There's only three assassinations to begin with, so how far can this interest really last? The fact that this whole book is about president killers is kind of a letdown.

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"I visited Charles Town with my aunt Fran and uncle Quenton." (p. 83)

Why does she bring so many of her friends and family along on her endeavors? Why do they agree to go if they most likely don't want to spend their time looking at less than famous historical sites? Perhaps it's just to be friendly, but it must get old after some time. Rarely in the book does it mention Vowell going out of her way to aid her friends like they do for her. If I were Vowell's friends, I would not agree to follow her across the country for boring historical sites nearly as often.

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"The neighborhood of Gramercy Park, where Edwin used to live, was built to look like London, which is to say that its considerable beauty is skin deep while its heart beats with the ugliness of the monarchy." (p. 99)

Vowell wrote this section to compare the "fake London" to Edwin, which in this instance can be considered a "fake Booth." Booth, like London, was the original grand idea. The "ugly monarchy" can be compared to his uncanny assassination of Lincoln. Edwin was similar to John, but obviously didn't kill a president. The author sees Edwin's stature more often, but doesn't take the same interest in him as John, for obvious reasons.

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"It has a country-and-western showbiz quality, reminding me of the shiny rhinestone-studded suits Nashville singers used to wear to the Grand Ole Opry." (p. 108)

Why was Lincoln's coffin so flashy? He was a highly regarded president, but his background wouldn't typically suggest such a blingy burial. He was a poor boy from Kentucky, not some Jay Gatsby level superstar. Also, rhinestones on a coffin? That seems excessive and not ordinary. What were typical burial standards at the time?

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"So why is it that I feel closer to him sitting on my couch reading my paperback copy of his Selected Speeches and Writing than I do here in actual Springfield staring at the actual couch where he read his beloved newspapers and Shakespeare?" (p. 112)

Vowell was so excited to explore and experience Lincoln, but she was so disappointed when she got there. I hate how she hypes up Lincoln all throughout the book but when the major opportunities and experiences come by she's not impressed. If I saw Lincoln's couch I wouldn't know what to think. I'm by no means a history buff like her. However, I saw Lincoln's couch I'd be ecstatic. A president's couch!

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"The problem with the fog of history, with the way the taboo of speaking ill of the dead tends to edit memorials down to saying nothing much more then the deceased subject's name, is that all the specifics get washed away, leaving behind some universal nobody." (p. 119)

Vowell's deliverance of this part of the text is very difficult to follow and understand. It is unclear on her stance of Douglass' speech, and even that of Douglass' stance. The reader is not sure if Douglass is in favor or against Lincoln and his policies. We are led to believe Douglass didn't like the stature, but the true identity of his speech is not clearly laid out for the reader. Overall, this section could have been written much better.

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"Hard to believe that the candidate who lost the popular vote could actually become the president of the United States. Luckily, that kind of travesty never happened again." (p.128)

Only five times in American history has a president lost the popular vote and still been elected. Hayes is one of them, along with George W. Bush and Donald Trump. The author has definitely let the reader know that Bush is not her favorite president, and the bitter sarcasm she uses here only adds to the poor image of him she has set for the reader. Although the book was written in 2005, these few lines are also accidental foreshadowing for the election of Trump in 2016. It's not a stretch to say that these elections were definitely not met with total public approval.

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"As a Democrat who voted for Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election,... now employed at the EPA." (p. 131)

Something notable for Vowell's writing style is her use of excessively long sentences. I've noticed she loves to ramble about a topic in one hideously long run-on sentence. These arguments make her story hard to follow and frankly a little boring. In this instance, she's rambling on about something like votes or an election. The sentence is boring, and even if I cared enough to tune in carefully to what she's saying it's too difficult to understand anyways. Frankly, it's kind of childish.

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"But meanwhile, enter James Abram Garfield of Ohio. He was attractive as a candidate for the precise reason he's a nondescript president-- his bland composure." (p. 133)

Does the author have the same love for Garfield as she does for Lincoln? The first chapter of the book set a tough example for the remaining the follow. Personally, I believe she has a special place in her heart for Lincoln that no other president can truly fill. She's most likely only fascinated with Garfield because he was assassinated as well. Vowell only likes the president based on the tragedy that followed him.

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"The guy who theoretically wants the country's most demanding, hectic, brain-dive-denying job stands before these potential gross national product producers advising them to treat leisure "as your gold, as your wealth, as your treasure." (p. 135)

Although Vowell included this section to show the negative consequences of Garfield's love of leisure, he does have a good point. Many times youth and even adults take their downtime for granted. There seems to be unlimited downtime in one's life, full of boredom, until the stress and responsibilities begin to pile up. Suddenly you don't have time to do the things you enjoy. Your time is consumed by meeting deadlines and simply making life happen. Garfield has good intentions when he warns against taking leisure for granted.

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"And thus, when I see the Oneida Community being referred to as "the O.C.," I cannot help but picture all the ladies of Oneida standing in line to curl up in Peter Gallagher's eyebrows, trying in vain not to feel a special love." (p. 148)

In my opinion, Vowell has already spent way too long talking about the Oneida Community. She tends to do that-- spend an eternity discussing something that hardly contributes to the plot. But now she's going to tie in a soap opera no one has even heard of? It has no relation to the topic she's discussing, and frankly it's just creepy. Her easily-distracted writing style is frustrating to read.

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"To me, every plaque, no matter what words are inscribed on it, says the same magic informative thing: Something happened!" (p. 159)

With this section regarding Vowell's appreciation for plaques, she gives us an insight into why she loves them. For her, plaques provide an interesting story to serve as a background for her boring errands. She may just be running to the convenience store, but seeing that a unique historical event happened along the route greatly interests and excites her. In writing this, she appeals to the reader by putting her strange obsessions into everyday scenarios and feelings. This helps the reader to better understand the author.

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"Then, after the prosecutor brought up the minor matter of the commandment "Thou shalt not kill," Guiteau asserted that God the Father grandfathered Guiteau past this rule." (p. 173)

Why is the trial continuing if Guiteau has more or less pleaded guilty multiple times? He literally says he murdered Garfield and uses God as a reference. The length of the trial isn't specified, but judging from the book it seems like it lasted longer than it needed to. And what were his attorneys thinking when they agreed to represent him? Surely they would have realized there was no hope to escape prosecution.

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"Except for the dead-serious details of his assassinating President Garfield and being in all likelihood clinically insane, Charles Guiteau might be the funniest man in American history--a guy so relentlessly upbeat, so unfailingly optimistic about his place in the world..." (p. 174)

Although I can't personally relate to Guiteau, his condition and situation strikes up a few thoughts. Was his insanity the result of his journey to killing the president? Is his positivity the result of his insanity, or is he simply a man of extreme faith and self love? It would be interesting to see a modern-day psychologist's view on Guiteau's mental health and stability. I believe he would be much more likely to successfully plead insane today, what with new technology and understanding of the human mind. It's impossible to say but something to think about.

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"And then, after Garfield's death, after the rail spur was torn out, some sentimental local, someone like Joan, gathered the wood and built a little house out of it." (p.185)

I'm not a fan of how Vowell decided to end Garfield's chapter. Perhaps it's simply because there's not as much story to tell as with Lincoln, but I was unsatisfied with the ending. I have mountains of Lincoln trivia thanks to Vowell, but honestly I could tell you very few things about Garfield even after reading this. So far my favorite chapter has been Lincoln's. I hope she goes into more practical detail in McKinley's chapter.

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"Of course the officer sided with Amy, who, gloating as she got out of the police car, sneered at the Pontiac driver, "My sister is writing a book about our trip and I bet she's going to put you in the McKinley chapter." (p. 191)

Vowell's diction in this particular section of text shows her snarky and sarcastic writing style. The humor she adds draws the reader in and adds some comedic relief to the depressing book-wide of death. The fact that Vowell did in fact put the woman in the McKinley chapter further adds to the ironic and snarky tone. Although this particular scene wasn't necessary to the plot of the book, it served a rhetorical purpose for Vowell. Overall, Vowell's dry humor lightens the tone of the novel and helps the reader to stay focused and engaged in the subject.

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"In the logo, most of the United States and Canada is blanketed in Miss North America's billowy yellow dress." (p. 196)

Prior to this sentence, Vowell paints a picture of the superficial relationship of the North and South American continents. In doing this, the author shows the reader how fragile and almost tyrannical the relationship North America has with surrounding regions. This plants the image of a strong and almost corrupt America in the reader's mind. Although not necessarily the author's point of view regarding America and its history, there are a few shared beliefs involving the twisted way the American government functions. Overall, this section gives the audience an image in their head of the abstract concepts Vowell is trying to convey.

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"There were also fake battles between American Indians and U.S. cavalry staged in the sports arena. (Guess who always won?)" (p. 204)

Although this section of speech is extremely unprofessional, it accurately portrays the author's sense of style and voice. It can't exactly be deemed "good writing," however. A snarky aside is definitely not professional, especially in a novel such as this one regarding American history and assassinations. That being said, this is just one of the many instances we are given a prime example of Vowell's sarcastic nature of writing. The writing is unprofessional, but ultimately helps the author deliver her message effectively.

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"History is one war after another with a bunch of murders and natural disasters in between." (p. 208)

Vowell uses a humorous mixture of hyperbole and exaggeration to make a statement about history. Of course history isn't actually as Vowell describes it, but she's not exactly wrong either. People tend to remember the negative events rather than the positive, so the bad seems to stack higher than the good. This sentence provides us with a funny anecdote, but also makes the reader think back in history as she said to the wars, murders, and natural disasters. As with many of her examples of figurative language, Vowell's trademark sarcastic voice is evident.

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"As Westinghouse's alternating current became more popular than Edison's direct current, Edison launched a smear campaign against Westinghouse in which, attempting to prove the danger of AC, he staged demonstrations electrocuting horses and dogs that caught the eye of New York prison reformers looking for humane ways to carry out capital punishment." (p. 212)

This section is simply difficult to understand. First off, how did electrocuting animals benefit anyone at all? If Edison was trying to win support for his idea, murdering animals probably wasn't the best option. Second of all, why would electrocuting animals catch the eye of someone looking for humane ways to punish someone? That seems like the complete opposite of what they're looking for. Perhaps it was the time period, but this section is confusing and not explained well.

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""All the turmoil of body and soul, all the love and hate that come to an intense human being have come to me here."" (p.221)

Although this quote was not from Vowell directly, her use of the quote was thought-provoking. I can't relate directly to Emma Goldman, an outspoken anarchist, but she has some interesting ideas. She essentially says in this quote that all your feelings and experiences ultimately happen right at home, in your country. Home is where life happens, not necessarily a specific place. Home is where your life has created the biggest impact.

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"Roosevelt must have wanted to write back to Robert Todd--tod, the German word for death--Lincoln,..." (p. 233)

Throughout the book, Vowell mentions Robert Todd Lincoln's appearance in every presidential assassination many times. Although still not quite relevant to the story, the author's writing in this section is excellent. There is a great deal of irony in the fact that Lincoln's middle name is a very close resemblance of the German word for death. Vowell must have found this extremely funny and a work of fate. Although not necessarily important, this is just one of many examples of Vowell's writing where the reader sees things from a new and different perspective.

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"His travels in Greece, and especially staring at the Athens Acropolis crowned with the Parthenon, converted him from a Sunday classicist to an evangelist of columns and pediments. "I have," he claimed, "the spirit of Greece once and forever stamped on my soul." (p. 240)

I'm a believer in the fact that traveling can truly and positively change a person's soul. Discovering and experiencing a new culture, environment, and lifestyle is a monumental experience. A place, a home, can without a doubt shape you into a different person and help you take on a new mindset. Some places stay in your heart forever, whether it's your hometown or some far off foreign place. There is power in experiencing the unknown.

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"But loving this memorial is a lot like loving this country: I might not have built the place this way; it's a little too pompous, and if you look underneath the marble, the structure's a fake and ye olde Parthenon is actually supported by skyscraper steel." (p. 247)

In a sense, Vowell wrote this section to sum up the entire essence of the novel. Although not totally ideal, American history is what it is and there is so much to learn from. It's not perfect, but ultimately America is what it is today because of its past. Vowell is saying she loves America with all of its quirks and flaws because that's what makes it special. She attempts to convey the message that you can't control everything, sometimes you have to sit back and watch life unfold naturally.

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"There it lay upon the white china, a little black mass no bigger than the end of my finger--dull, motionless and harmless, yet the cause of such mighty changes in the world's history as we may perhaps never realize." (p.51)

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"There it lay upon the white china, a little black mass no bigger than the end of my finger--dull, motionless and harmless, yet the cause of such mighty changes in the world's history as we may perhaps never realize." (p.51)

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"There it lay upon the white china, a little black mass no bigger than the end of my finger--dull, motionless and harmless, yet the cause of such mighty changes in the world's history as we may perhaps never realize." (p.51)