If This Isn't Nice What Is?, (Much) Expanded Second Edition: The Graduation Speeches and Other Words to Live By

by Kurt Vonnegut

Hardcover, 2016

Status

Available

Call number

815.54

Genres

Collection

Publication

Seven Stories Press (2016), Edition: 2 Expanded, 208 pages

Description

A collection of commencement speeches and other wit and wisdom from the New York Times'bestselling literary icon and author of Slaughterhouse-Five. Master storyteller and satirist Kurt Vonnegut was one of the most in-demand commencement speakers of his time. For each occasion, Vonnegut's words were unfailingly insightful and witty, and they stayed with audience members long after graduation. This expanded third edition also includes more than sixty pages of further thoughts from Vonnegut (whose good advice wasn't limited to graduation speeches). Edited by Dan Wakefield, this book reads like a narrative in the unique voice that made Vonnegut a hero to readers everywhere. Hilarious, razor-sharp, freewheeling, and at times deeply serious, these reflections are ideal not just for graduates but for anyone undergoing what Vonnegut would call their "long-delayed puberty ceremony"'marking the long and challenging passage to full-time adulthood. "Like Mark Twain, Mr. Vonnegut used humor to tackle the basic questions of human existence." 'The New York Times.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Figgles
Truely inspiring!
LibraryThing member bookworm12
I’m a big fan of Vonnegut’s work and so this collection of commencement speeches was fun. I loved all of his references to his hometown, Indianapolis, since I’m from there too. The Audible version does a great job with narration and includes and introduction from fellow Hoosier author Dan
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Wakefield. It's a bit repetitive, but still so much fun to listen to.
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Original language

English

Original publication date

2016 (2nd expanded edition)
2014

Physical description

208 p.; 5.9 inches

ISBN

1609806972 / 9781609806972
Page: 0.5202 seconds