Tom Lynch

They tell you in school that if you are interested in a peculiar subject, chances are someone else is as well. Author and "This American Life" contributor Sarah Vowell is interested in presidential assassinations, and her new book, "Assassination Vacation," exhausts the subjects as she dissects the violent deaths of Lincoln, McKinley and Garfield. With Vowell, we've come to expect the wit to derail the history--in a good way--but this time the two are mixed and matched as the author takes us on a trip to museums, gravesites, and memorials, and also gives us a look into the lives of the assassins. The voice reminds me of Mary Roach's "Stiff"--a humorous, intelligent look at the morbid details of death, and this time, it just happens to be three of the most famous deaths of all time.

Sarah Vowell discusses "Assassination Vacation" on April 14 at Barbara's Bookstore, 1218 South Halsted, (312)413-2665, at 7:30, and on April 15 at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 South State, (312)747-4300, at 6pm. Both events are free.

(2005-04-12)

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