When I'm not sure what I'm in the mood to read, I often pick up Kurt Vonnegut. He's my go-to fixer-of-all-things-reading, I suppose. A Man Without A Country is a book of essays he wrote when he was in his 80s & it was apparently the last published work he had when still alive. His essays range through a variety of topics from arts & literature to being kind (always a theme in anything he writes) to political commentary (which some may or may not like) to the bombing of Dresden in WWII (which he survived while a POW there) to other things; as always, his writing is succinct, sarcastic, simple, & sly. I'm a huge fan.

It took me a LONG time to be ready to read this book after my favorite author died. It would be the last Vonnegut to read, how could I say goodbye?! But finally, as my little children slept peacefully last week, I took it up. I was not disappointed--not that I expected to be--and I command you all to read it too! Now!

I am in love with Kurt Vonnegut, and I will always regret that I never got to tell him that, may he rest in peace. And may the streets of heaven be lined in unfiltered Pall Malls.

کورت اکنون در بهشت برین است.(خودش دوست داشت اینو بشنوه) .ا

من توی این کتاب ونه گات رو یه مسیحی معتقد دیدم اما در گهواره گربه حس میکردم نویسنده به ادیان آسمانی به دید انتقادی نگاه میکنه و اون دین جدید باکونونیستی رو نقد به روند موجود ادیان میدیدم.

خدا رحمتت کنه آقای ونه گوت
اولین کتاب چالش کتاب خوانی امسالم رو عمدا از ونه گوت انتخاب کردم تا بتونم علاوه بر شروع چالش یه صفایی هم بکنم.
این کتاب به نوعی وصیتنامه کورت ونه گوت هست و توش می‌شه از هر دری، سخنی، رو به وضوح دید. کورت ونه گوت به شدت سیاسی بوده و توی این کتاب هم مشهود این رویه رو ادامه داده و از هیچ فرصتی برای بیان دیدگاه های سیاسی خودش صرف نظر نمی کنه. همینطور این کتاب به بیان سایر دیدگاه های او پرداخته و نهایتا جستجوی کوتاه ولی عمیق و درخشان در باب معنای زندگی هم داره. از دستش ندید ، هم با ترجمه علی اصغر بهرامی عالیه و هم حسین شهرابی.
خدا رحمتت کند آقای کورت ونه گوت جونیور عزیز.

واقعا دوست داشتم اين كتاب بامزه رو

A Man Without a Country felt a bit like sitting around with an old friend having a chat about this or that. This book is smart, it’s witty, and I love his turn of phrase, which at times reminded me of my grandpa.

If you are a Kurt Vonnegut fan, you won’t want to miss this book.

این کتاب مجموعه مقالاتی که ونه گات در سال 2005 منتشر کرده. موضوع مقالات اجتماعی و سیاسیه و با زبان طنز. به سیاست های که امریکا در پیش گرفته حسابی می تازه. از جنگ های امپریالیستی گرفته تا آلودگی کره زمین. خب ولی باید اینم اذعان میکرد که داره تو کشوری زندگی میکنه که بهش سرپناه داده و آزادی ای که بتونه راحت علیه بوش و سیاست هاش شکایت کنه.

کتاب مجموعه مقاله‌های ونه‌گات پا به سن گذاشته است در سال‌های حمله به عراق و جنبش‌های ضدجنگ. ونه‌گات با این‌که دیگه چندان به طنز اعتقاد نداره، اما هم‌چنان سعی می‌کنه با قلم نیش و نوش‌دارش برای مخاطب هم‌وطنش از بی‌وطنی بگه. از آمریکای «بوش، دیک، و کالین» که حسابی کلافه‌ش کرده

دو سه تا یادداشت زندگی‌نامه‌ای ابتدای کتاب ارزش خوندن دارن

I am a fan of Vonnegut's literary work, but this is a bit different. It's more a collection of rants and snippets of memoirs about literature, life, and politics. Of course his point of view is interesting and funny, but if you are looking for something more literary I suggest trying Galapagos or Slaughterhouse 5.

That being said, Vonnegut articulates clever and poignant diatribes about how humans are turning the world to crap, how our zest for technology is actually hurting us, and society's general lack of a moral compass. It's fun to read but not particularly profound or memorable (except for the kudos he gives Librarians, of course!).

A collection of essays by Vonnegut, reflecting on topics ranging from humor to war to sex. I felt sad reading it, as he passed away not long after this book came out ( 2007 ). And when it comes to Vonnegut, you can't help but quote the man and here's one of my favorites from this book: "How do humanists feel about Jesus? I say of Jesus, as all humanists do,'If what he said is good, and so much of it is good, and so much of it is absolutely beautiful, what does it matter if he was God or not?' But if Christ hadn't delivered the Sermon on the Mount, with its message of mercy and pity, I wouldn't want to be a human being. I'd just as soon be a rattlesnake."

According to Vonnegut most of the leaders of our world are nothing more than "persuasive guessers." In fact, "our leaders are sick of all the solid information that's been dumped on humanity by research and scholarship and investigative reporting." This book was published in 2007, and this statement seems to be even truer today. Many of our outlets for news seem to cater to our need to remain amused rather than informed.

Indeed, we live in a time where so much information is available we could be truly informed. However, it is so much easier to get all our 'news' and entertainment on social media, in a one-stop shop. Why seek the truth, when we can do nothing about it. Better to keep ourselves amused. Indeed, Vonnegut writes with a biting wit and cynicism on this topic. However, he tempers it with some humor and a vision of hope. The source of his hope, public libraries, something that I am truly passionate about. In fact, Vonnegut writes: "The America I love still exists at the front desks of our public libraries."

Indeed, libraries are places where we can expect to receive accurate information on just about anything, explore our world through materials and programs, try out new technologies, communicate/connect with others, learn together, and receive resources to help us reach our potential. I first started working in my local public library in 2002. I have since learned that our public libraries are staffed by wonderfully diverse, progressive, and empathetic people who are truly passionate about their work to serve their community.

آیا متوجه شده اید که آثار بزرگ ادبی -موبی دیک، هکلبری فین، وداع با اسلحه، داغ ننگ، نشان سرخ دلیری، ایلیاد، اودیسه، جنایات ومکافات، کتاب مقدس، و سرود حمله ی هنگ سواره نظام - همه ی این هـا درباره ی این است که انسان بودن چه چیـز گنـدی است. (وقتی یکی پیدا بشود و این حرف را بزند، آدم دلـش خنک نمی شود؟؟
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. همیـشه یک سر سیگار آتـش است و سر دیگرش یک آدم احمق