[New York, NY – October 7, 2015] An all-star cast of readers—including John Slattery, Nick Offerman, Patton Oswalt, Fred Armisen, and more—join bestselling author Sarah Vowell on the audiobook edition of LAFAYETTE IN THE SOMEWHAT UNITED STATES, her humorous and insightful portrait of the famed Frenchman and the impact he had on our young country. The audiobook will be available on CD and for download on October 20, 2015. ―My initial impulse to use actors on my audiobooks came when it dawned on me how long an audiobook can be–seven hours or more,‖ shares Vowell.

“At first, I just wanted other voices to provide the listener with a break from mine. Then I simply enjoyed the process of talking to the actors about their characters and hearing the voices of men and women who had been dead for decades if not centuries. A couple of books ago I had this little epiphany working with the actor John Slattery of Mad Men fame, who plays Lafayette in our new production. Back then he was playing JFK and I had given him the confusing direction to be JFK without being JFK. All I meant was I didn’t want a JFK approximating Mayor Quimby on The Simpsons. When Slattery started talking, becoming the essence of JFK as a person as opposed to a cartoon, I actually teared up a bit and I thought about what an inherently lonesome pursuit it is to write books for a living. As he kept reading I just thought to myself, ‘This guy is helping me tell this story.'”

Vowell‘s audiobooks are always a team effort and LAFAYETTE IN THE SOMEWHAT UNITED STATES is no exception. Where else can you hear: John Slattery voice the Marquis de Lafayette; Parks and Recreation star Nick Offerman portray George Washington; Portlandia mastermind and SNL comedian Fred Armisen as Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben; Boardwalk Empire‘s Bobby Cannavale as Benjamin Franklin; John Hodgman of The Daily Show as John Adams; and comedian, actor and writer Patton Oswalt, who plays Thomas Jefferson. Handling  double duty and voicing multiple roles are Stephanie March from Law & Order: SVU and Buffy The Vampire Slayer‘s Alexis Denisof. As with Vowell‘s previous audiobooks, this recording includes original music by Academy Award-winner Michael Giacchino, the composer behind Up, Ratatouille, Jurassic World, and more.

“Very few authors embrace the audiobook medium with Sarah Vowell’s creativity and passion,” says Chris Lynch, President & Publisher of Simon & Schuster Audio. “All of her audio titles are unique listening experiences that bring history alive in a marvelously entertaining way. LAFAYETTE IN THE SOMEWHAT UNITED STATES is another tour de force.”

Set against the backdrop of a contentious presidential election and with the threat of the Civil War looming, LAFAYETTE IN THE SOMEWHAT UNITED STATES follows Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette‘s return to the United States in 1824. Lafayette was a walking, talking reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of the revolutionary generation. His return was not just a reunion with his beloved Americans, it was also a reunion for Americans with their own astonishing singular past.

A compelling and humorous look at history performed by a stellar cast makes LAFAYETTE IN THE SOMEWHAT UNITED STATES is a must-listen from the first word to the last.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER:
Simon & Schuster Audio is a leading publisher of general interest audiobooks including bestselling fiction, nonfiction, business/finance, self-improvement, inspiration, language learning programs, original audiobook productions, and children‘s titles. In addition to a list that includes such unparalleled authors as Mary Higgins Clark, Vince Flynn, Ernest Hemingway, Stephen King, Michael Lewis, and David McCullough. Simon & Schuster Audio has produced audiobooks that have won seven Grammy Awards and earned thirty-five Grammy nominations since 1989. For more information about Simon & Schuster Audio, visit our website at www.audio.simonandschuster.com.

Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children‘s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.

ABOUT SARAH VOWELL:
Sarah Vowell is the bestselling author of Unfamiliar Fishes, The Wordy Shipmates, Assassination Vacation, and The Partly Cloudy Patriot.

CONTACT:
Lauren Pires
Senior Publicity, Media & Marketing Manager
p. 212-698-7126 / f. 212-698-7664
Lauren.Pires@simonandschuster.com