There are approximately 502 million radios in America. For this savvy, far-reaching diary, celebrated journalist and author Vowell turned hers on and listened--closely, critically, creatively--for an entire year.

As a series of impressions and reflections regarding contemporary American culture, and as an extended meditation on both our media and our society, this keenly focused book is as insightful as it is refreshing.

Throughout Radio On, Vowell's touch is about as delicate as Teddy Kennedy's after a pitcher of martinis (Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times). Called a national treasure by David Sedaris, Sarah Vowell has been a contributing editor to public radio's This American Life since 1996. She is also the author of the bestsellers Take the Cannoli and The Partly Cloudy Patriot.

There are approximately 502 million radios in America. For this savvy, far-reaching diary, celebrated journalist and author Vowell turned hers on and listened--closely, critically, creatively--for an entire year.

As a series of impressions and reflections regarding contemporary American culture, and as an extended meditation on both our media and our society, this keenly focused book is as insightful as it is refreshing.

Throughout Radio On, Vowell's touch is about as delicate as Teddy Kennedy's after a pitcher of martinis (Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times).

Vowell is] a cranky stylist with talent to burn.--Newsweek

A spunky, ferociously intelligent examination of a medium that people forget about from one of the most promising young journalists I've come across recently.--Nick Hornby

The magic really begins when you sense Vowell is absorbing radio as much as listening to it.--The Toronto Star

Vowell is] very aware of how radio can divide and conquer.--Charles Taylor, The Boston Phoenix

The coming-of-age story of a young critic, soundtrack included.--Chicago Tribune

Radio On escapes its own insularity through its insistence on the language of desire: the wish for a country where every citizen isn't bent on seceding into his or her own Private Idaho, where it is still possible to speak and be heard.--Howard Hampton, The Village Voice

Vowell's] comments on what she heard are illumniating and smart.--Gina Arnold, East Bay Express

The principle for this book is simple: for a year the radio becomes the conduit for a young woman's diary. It shows itself to be a kind of conscience wallpaper, a nervous background noise. With a radio in every home, car, office building, mall space and waiting room, we are surrounded by its many voices, "Radio On" examines these voices, making them "truly" audible, clarifying and refining until we truly understand that democracy is alive and well in America--at least on the radio. 256 pp. 15,000 print.

There are approximately 502 million radios in America. For this savvy, far-reaching diary, celebrated journalist and author Vowell turned hers on and listened—closely, critically, creatively—for an entire year.

As a series of impressions and reflections regarding contemporary American culture, and as an extended meditation on both our media and our society, this keenly focused book is as insightful as it is refreshing.

Throughout Radio On, "Vowell's touch is about as delicate as Teddy Kennedy's after a pitcher of martinis" (Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times).