I really enjoyed this book, but in a different way then I expected. After listening to Sarah Vowell speak about her writing for “The Wordy Shipmates,” I think I have a better understanding of why this is. Vowell spoke about her interest in the topic and desire to write about it, and I could see this interest on every page. Vowell’s retelling of the story of the Massachusetts Bay Colony (genocidal warts and all) is compelling to me, showing all the complexities of the past while still remaining accessible, and yes, witty. Vowell expertly draws parallels between past and present, using her interest in the past to explore how the present culture of the United States might have come to be. This, I feel, is how I would want to write history. Sarah Vowell, of course, does a much better job of it!