I've just finished reading "The Partly Cloudy Patriot" by Sarah Vowell in one go this afternoon. It is a somewhat slim volume, but refreshing in that for someone outside the USA, you aren't all asshats and idiots. Though she celebrates idiocy in the pursuit of happiness. She concludes the book by noting Teddy Roosevelt was the first President to be represented as enjoying himself.

Much of the book deals with the struggle between nerds and jocks in 'murrican culture and politics, and presents a "what if" moment where what could have been if Joss Whedon handled Al Gore's campaign for prezzie in 2000.

A series of essays, the book is an entertaining civics lesson which travels from the Gettysburg Address to Tom Cruise, from Canadians to being a twin.

This is witty, refreshing, and gives me hope that there is more to the USA than thuggish frat boys intent on date rape of the body politic.