Guaranteed to Make You LOL

Sarah Vowell doesn't drive, can't swim, is afraid of heights, and spends her free time at the sites of gory presidential assassinations. So why is she coming to Vassar? This year's pick for the Alex Krieger Memorial Lecture (previous humorists have included John Irving, Tom Wolfe, and David Sedaris), the best-selling author, social observer, and cartoon super hero is coming to make us laugh.

Known for her edgy commentaries and razor-sharp wit, Vowell is a regular on NPR's This American Life, where she's tackled everything from presidential primaries to her father's homemade life-size cannon. If NPR's not your style, she's also a regular guest on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and The Late Show with David Letterman. She's even hit the cartoon world as the voice of Violet Parr in The Incredibles.

Currently at work on her fifth book, Vowell's writing has been described as "literary stand-up comedy with a lot of heart and perfect delivery" (Kirkus Review). In the best-selling Assassination Vacation, Vowell bums a ride to examine the tourist sites of famous presidential assassinations. "Like Lincoln, I would like to believe the ballot is stronger than the bullet. Then again, he said that before he got shot," writes Vowell, who's often said the goal of her writing is to show that history doesn't have to be a bore. As a critic and social observer, Vowell's writing has also appeared everywhere from Time and the Village Voice to Spin and GQ.

Vowell will deliver an hour-long reading, with a question-and-answer session and book signing, on February 15, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. in Students' Building. First come, first served, so get there early!