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A Man Without a Country | 
 enlarge | Author: Kurt Vonnegut
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
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Rating:  190 reviews
Sales Rank: 58722
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 160
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.5
ISBN: 081297736X
Dewey Decimal Number: 818.54
EAN: 9780812977363
ASIN: 081297736X
Publication Date: January 16, 2007
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Product Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“[This] may be as close as Vonnegut ever comes to a memoir.”
–Los Angeles Times
“Like [that of] his literary ancestor Mark Twain, [Kurt Vonnegut’s] crankiness is good-humored and sharp-witted. . . . [Reading A Man Without a Country is] like sitting down on the couch for a long chat with an old friend.”
–The New York Times Book Review
In a volume that is penetrating, introspective, incisive, and laugh-out-loud funny, one of the great men of letters of this age–or any age–holds forth on life, art, sex, politics, and the state of America’s soul. From his coming of age in America, to his formative war experiences, to his life as an artist, this is Vonnegut doing what he does best: Being himself. Whimsically illustrated by the author, A Man Without a Country is intimate, tender, and brimming with the scope of Kurt Vonnegut’s passions.
“For all those who have lived with Vonnegut in their imaginations . . . this is what he is like in person.”
–USA Today
“Filled with [Vonnegut’s] usual contradictory mix of joy and sorrow, hope and despair, humor and gravity.”
–Chicago Tribune
“Fans will linger on every word . . . as once again [Vonnegut] captures the complexity of the human condition with stunning calligraphic simplicity.”
–The Australian
“Thank God, Kurt Vonnegut has broken his promise that he will never write another book. In this wondrous assemblage of mini-memoirs, we discover his family’s legacy and his obstinate, unfashionable humanism.”
–Studs Terkel
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| Customer Reviews: Read 185 more reviews...
As of 11/04/08, Vonnegut has a country again. November 12, 2008
Reading this, it's very apparent that Vonnegut had pretty much given up on humanity. You already get that feel from most of his novels, but in this book of essays, Vonnegut leaves no doubt. The Bush years are the straw that broke the camel's back. And I have to say, my thinking was pretty much in line with Vonnegut's. But then came November 4th, 2008. Reading these essays, I was struck with a deep sadness that Vonnegut was not around to witness the magnificent manner in which the Bush era will end. I don't think Obama's election would have turned Vonnegut into a starry-eyed optimist, but I do think it might have tempered his pessimism, as it did mine.
 Less a parting shot than an afternoon chat September 22, 2008
Vonnegut breezes through turn-of-the-century American life in aphoristic, often curmudgeonly free-association. While the inkwell of cantankerous wit hasn't run dry, this book is a bit of an exercise in redundancy; the contained thoughts and criticisms are better developed in his later works, particularly Hocus Pocus and the admittedly self-indulgent Timequake.
It is admittedly a treat that Vonnegut gave us one last opportunity to enjoy his pithy prose and withering assessments of modern life in such a loose, intimate collection of essays. Unfortunately, he also ran through these observations and bon mots rather too faithfully in his last lecture tour, which was a disappointment (particularly given how off-the-cuff his prose feels here). While the warmth of his sarcasm is always enduring, it's likewise depressing that Kurt couldn't finish his career with a work less firmly entrenched in the inflexible Vonnegut idiom of smirking punchlines.
 Vonnegut Never Fails May 18, 2008
"A Man Without A Country" is a must read for anyone who loves Mr. Vonnegut. It is a collection of short essays and writings published 2 years before his death. Written in true Vonnegut fashion, I believe he is on point with his satire and knowledge of the world more then ever. He is as sharp as knife with his commentary, and convincing as hell, using stories from history to back up his words. It may come off as the rantings of a crotchety old man, but I think that Vonnegut has earned his right and anyone who is not wearing blinders can truly see. This is a man who lived through the great depression, and fought in WWII. It is obvious that any true American can relate. One subject that truly struck me was how he talked about his generation, and how they dreamed of better tomorrow for their children and grandchildren. He then compares our generation to addicts trying to work through AA, just living day to day, with no hope of a better tomorrow. Another aspect of this book I enjoyed was a chapter in which he answered some fans who wrote him letters. It was a very easy read, too, I read it in one sitting. I kept on noticing my mind wondering when I was reading, "Man. I wish I could've had shared a smoke with this guy."
Compare to Kurt and Dlyan April 30, 2008
Imagine yourself trying to become someone important in life or contributing something back to the world that children would read about in their books. Imagine if someone said your name in passing they would say, "Yes, I heard that name before, he/she is a famous writer/actor/business owner. Imagine starting out on the streets with little or nothing to your name. Imagine struggling through confusion and loneliness, through tears and pain and even some times full of ironic laughter. Well big shots like Bob Dylan and Kurt Vonnegut had periods in their lives exactly like what I just described.
Many people know Bob Dylan as a famous folk singer. What they may or may not realize is how he became the man he is to us today. He wasn't always a famous singer; he started at the bottom just like millions of other writers, singers or poets. In the dark cafes in New York City, he played his guitar and harmonica and told his story. He has been an influence through his music for more than forty years. He has made many albums, and that's want he wanted to do, to tell his stories through his songs.
Kurt Vonnegut is best known for his use of humor and satire in his writing. A Man without a Country is a book of essays he wrote with different opinions on many subjects to different people. Kurt Vonnegut wrote without having to offend people like most comedians do. Blacks, Whites, Jews, Catholics, politicians, all have in someway been mentioned in his stories and opinions. Kurt Vonnegut talked about how things that he has learned over his lifetime. He is not afraid to put those beliefs on paper even if his words could be insulting to his readers. These essays would become his final book that would share his opinions and thoughts of the world he lived in. That book answers the question on what does it mean to be human.
Final thoughts April 27, 2008
I just finished re-reading this book. It is sad and funny , plump with joy and fear. Funny how all these feelings feed on one another. I think this book is a bit like the Last Lecture---final thoughts from a life: people can be nutty(he really goes after pols) but don't let this harsh truth make you fold up your tent; understand the value of humor, not the Bob Hope superficial gruel but the Mark Twain, we are all in a pickle together wisdom ; try to be kind and, failing that, try to do no harm. My favorite section---how to plot out a book, replete with charts. He was a great writer because he made it look so simple. And that's hard. At 145 pages, a night or weekend's reading.
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