Armageddon in Retrospect

He's a writer who combines writing beautifully with actually having something to say. This is a great farewell.

In my opinion, the book addresses the problem of the lack of solidarity in humanity: each person has to find a way to survive without depending on anyone, and this leads them to a feeling of loneliness that ultimately triggers a process of self-destruction. The protagonist proposes and imposes a system of artificial extended families as a way to reconnect people. It is a sad and despairing story, steeped in dark humor. While it may not be one of my favorites, I think it was quite interesting. (Translated from Spanish)

This was a solid assembly of short works by Kurt Vonnegut. Some of them are really good and others fall by the wayside. Nevertheless, it is an important collection and, for those who enjoy the man's works, it should be read. The introduction is also highly illuminating, written by his son, about the famed writer.

4 stars.

Good book. A critique of the system disguised as a novel. You start creating a world and imagining it just as it's described. With excellent brushstrokes and a particular humor and narration. (Translated from Spanish)

In a letter, Vonnegut argues that reading a short story every day is a much an act of daily meditation as - well - daily meditation. I’ve just read ‘Happy Birthday,1951’ and he’s right.

The best book by Kurt Vonnegut. Sensitive, endearing, catastrophic. A love story in an atrocious world. (Translated from Spanish)

There's a great introduction by Vonnegut's son & the book is read by Rip Torn, a favorite actor of mine.

It's pretty interesting. The point of 'Sirens', as put forth by David in #18, seems to have been echoed by Vonnegut's son in a completely unrelated chat between the two shortly before Kurt's death. It's worth reading, if only for the intro.

The first story was a speech he gave in 2007 & that seems to have set the tone. The stories so far are OK, but Vonnegut's Dresden horror stories made up most & got a bit old. He's very anti-war & continually points out it's stupid & horrible. There were a few 5 star stories that really put a face on the horrors of war perfectly, but most wandered about in a rather long-winded manner which didn't do the point any favors. The title story came last & had a couple of good or amusing points, but was a disappointment overall.

Overall, typical Vonnegut & worth reading especially if you've liked his other works.

It's a posthumous book of fictions and nonfictions. Some stories shine brighter than others but all of Vonnegut's usual playful pessimism is there in full force. There were a couple of stories that I didn't quite care for but there is a facsimile copy of a letter Vonnegut wrote to his family after being liberated from POW status. This alone I felt was worth the price of admission.

I really liked some of the essays at the beginning, not so much at the end but always a fan of Vonnegut

I read this while on holiday in France. Some have questioned whether some of Vonnegut's oeuvre was unpublished for a reason and should have remained out of the public sphere, but I found this collection of musings on war and it's relation to peace compelling.

Vonnegut continues to do what he does best from beyond the grave - poke fun at the tragedy of the human condition. Wonder why these works remained unpublished until after his death. We shall see

This was an interesting compilation, but I felt as if the material was more a collection of musings and short stories than essays and short lectures. As a whole, there were moments when I was struck by an anecdote or the voice(s) involved, but there were fewer moments when I was truly compelled to continue. True, I read the collection quickly, and was entertained, but as for it provoking serious (and/or new) thought on my part in relation to war and peace, I was fairly disappointed. I suppose I just wanted a more provoking or intellectual journey from the material, and felt more as if I was reading an easy-to-take in collection of letters and conversations. Simply, I just wanted and expected more.

I have a problem with the way Kurt Vonnegut collections seem to be coming out more quickly now than when he was alive. There is often a reason why the author had a collection of “previously unpublished” works.

Hence, I approached this latest with some trepidation.

My fear was unfounded. No, this is not a collection of the world’s greatest. Yes, there are a few clunkers. But, overall, it is a nicely rounded collection that shows the development of the writer. And, the most surprising (pleasantly surprising) aspect was that, in spite of being called “writings on war and peace”, it was primarily fiction. Yes, a copy of his last speech (that was actually made by his son) is included. Yes, there is a copy of the letter he sent his parents upon return from the war. But it is really a collection of stories.

And it becomes quickly evident that Vonnegut, even when not at his best, ain’t half bad. So, the recommendation for this comes with a caveat. If you are new to Vonnegut, find other places to spend your time. However, if you already know most of the works, then this is an opportunity for an additional, pleasant visit with a friend who is no longer with us.

Meh...the title story is hilarious, most of the other stories are just okay, and the non-fiction is crap. So, pretty much what might well be expected of unpublished Vonnegut. The reading by Rip Torn probably helps a bit.

This book gives a pretty nice look at some of Vonnegut's shorter work and his ability to reveal man's everyday struggles in the horror of war.

Sad, hopeful, thoughtful, and mind blowing. Vonnegut has always been a favourite of mine, but this book is simply amazing. Most especially, the very first piece, a copy of a letter he sent home after he had been missing in action for months. Despite being brought to tears many times, the balance with humour is what makes the writing timeless.

It's the 'we-swear-these-are-the-last-unpublished-writings-from-Vonnegut' book. Obviously it's a 'rest of' collection, but it doesn't feel like that because of Vonnegut's genius. Unquestionably he was one of the greatest writer of the last century. R.I.P.

This is Vonnegut's last work. After reading this, I officially (and sadly) had to say good bye. I savored every page of this book -- from the illustrations to the short stories and speeches. "The Commander's Desk" is my favorite here.

A collection of short stories published posthumously written about war. Many of the stories are set in WWII, but at least one story is a time-travelling tale in the future, and another is a tale of how 3 men stay hopeful during war dreaming about their first free meal. A number of tales take place during the emancipation of Germany by the Americans in WWII. Excellent, excellent, excellent.

Very excited to be able to read some unpublished material from my favorite author. Won't replace never getting a new novel from him, but it will do. Mostly short stories--all enjoyable, almost all taking place during WWII. Great quote from one of his classic illustrations: "Where do I get my ideas from? You might as well have asked that of Beethoven. He was goofing around in Germany like everybody else, and all of a sudden this stuff came gushing out of him. It was music. I was goofing around like everybody else in Indiana, and all of a sudden stuff came gushing out. It was disgust with civilization."

While the book as a whole goes by in a flash, there are one or two stories that really made me laugh. I still smile thinking of them today. The situations Vonnegut places his characters in seem fantastic, but he gives them real emotion and a down-to-earth appeal. The rest of the stories are quite forgettable, but I'm sure I enjoyed reading them.

A collection of stories and essays by one of my favorite authors. Most are based on his experiences as a POW in Dresden, and in the time right afterwards. Several seem like attempts to craft his experiences into a story of some sort, and as the stories are undted, you wonder if these were early attempts to get a handle on it all - which he did in Sluaghterhouse Five. Or maybe they were later variations on this major and life-altering experience. Either way, they are very good, but not his best work. Still, it's good to read anything by this great American writer.

This is an uneven collection of writings as are most posthumous collections. Nevertheless the writing is quintessentially Vonnegut. The title reflects the book's loose theme; it contains recollections and stories tied to his wartime experiences in the Battle of the Bulge and as a POW in Dresden during its firebombing. I particularly enjoyed his last written speech delivered at Clowes Hall by his son shortly after Kurt's death. Aptly, his last written words were: "And I thank you for your attention, and I'm out of here."