I first saw Sarah Vowell on C-Span, answering questions after a book reading. She looks like a baby Bette Davis with a stringy bob, and she talks with her hands. Someone asked her who her favorite comedian was and she said, "Don Rickles. He'd kill you people in the front row in the sweaters. He'd just kill you."

When the session was over, I wanted more so I bought THE PARTLY-CLOUDY PATRIOT. The book reads more like a journal than a collection of essays. Perhaps the best one is about Al Gore. Sarah Vowell sees herself as a nerd and although she's a staunch democrat, she most readily identifies with other nerds. Al Gore wrote a book on the environment, among other nerdish things, so he qualifies. This essay resonated with me because I've often wondered why we don't have more stringent requirements for the job of president.

Another sample of her caustic wit was her essay on Teddy Roosevelt, who was part nerd and part adventurer. Her father used to tell her about Teddy's problems with asthma. He could do nothing except stay in bed and read. "Eew," said her sister. "Sigh," said Sarah. Staying in bed all day was a lifelong ambition for her.

I have to admit that I was expecting THE PARTLY-CLOUDY PATRIOT to be a real slam session, but that's not the case. Sarah attends George W. Bush's inauguration, bending over backwards to be fair. Although she cries when W. takes the oath, she chastises a friend who boos Staff Sergeant Alec T. Maly when he sings "My Country �Tis of Thee."

Sarah Vowell is a commentator on National Public Radio's THIS AMERICAN LIFE. I'd like to see her on national television crossing swords with the conservative blowhards.

Dave Schwinghammer's unconventional mystery, SOLDIER'S GAP, is available on authorsden and at Amazon.com, new and used. Please read the reviews. Thank you.