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Book reviews for "Klappholz,_Kurt" sorted by average review score:

The Best of Playboy Fiction (Playboy Audio)
Published in Audio Cassette by Brilliance Audio (1997)
Authors: Paul Theroux, Ursula K. Leguin, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Andre Dubus, Lawrence Sanders, and John Updike
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Funny and Dramatic
Kurt Vonnegut's "Welcome to the Monkey House" was more than just a book of short stories, it was a work of art. Mr. Vonnegut creates a perfect blend of comedy, drama, action and suspense. He has a certain way of having tons of detail but not so much that it bores you. You feel as much a part of the story as the characters. One of the stories, "Epicac," takes place when the first super computer is created. One night, a man stays late and talks about his love life with the machine. The computer has great solutions for him that work out for the man. Then, the computer burns out trying to figure out why he can't be loved. Another story, "Welcome to the Monkey House," takes place when the population is so massive that sex is outlawed. When a man refuses to take his hormonal pills, the police look for him. He then kidnaps a girl and takes her to a hidden place where he has sex with her. It changes the woman's feelings in the process. This is a great book for any reader. I was hesitant as many when about to embark on reading it but don't regret it at all. I suspect many who read it will also have a problem putting it down as i did.

Range of Stories from Sci Fi to Intimate Family Drama
From the wonderous humanity of EPICAC, the computer who loved a girl, to the simply yet imaginatively told story of "Thomas Edison's Shaggy Dog", to the black American soldier's relationship with a certain displaced person ("D.P.") to the title story's grim view of the future population (see also "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow", the last story in the collection), Vonnegut surprises with his humor, and then delivers a knockout punch with his pathos. *SPOILER* The story about the boy who cannot tell his parents that he didn't get in the School, and "The Kid Noone Could Handle" *END* Is the "fifty-year man" the real "Deer in the Woods"? One of my favorite stories has always been "More Stately Mansions" about the woman who yearns for a more perfect abode as collected and clipped from many home decorating magazines. The realism of his stories is kind of spooky sometimes. His prose writing is amazing--a master of the quick turn of phrase, the one-sentence description that reads like a book, the presence behind the prose somehow is able to make complex, profound ideas more simple, and vice versa. I first read this volume in 1974 on airplanes and while traveling to Africa at the age of 12. Some of it escaped me then, but by now I think I get it. And I recommend it highly!

Vonnegut's closet cleaning a must to attend
Don't bi-pass "Welcome to the Monkey House" just because it's a short story collection. Next to "Slaughterhouse 5", this is easily the most necessary Vonnegut book to own. Here, he sets free both his imagination AND his senses of humor and adventure to come up with some of the best short works published in this century. Just look at this list: "Harrison Bergeron", "Thomas Edison's Dog", a truly hysterical piece on assisted suicide and a truly suspenceful piece on a game of chess played with real people. Most of these styles have since, of course,been copied to death. But has anyone really cut as deep or as precisely into the public consciousness as did Vonnegut here? One wishes he would have continued writing short stories, at least occasionally, and we could have more collections as diverse, entertaining, and thought provoking as this is. By itself, though, "Monkey House" is one residency to make sure you visit


Cobain
Published in Hardcover by Little Brown & Company (01 November, 1994)
Authors: Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone Magazine, and Fred Woodward
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Another Rolling Stone "eulogy" for an icon
The best thing about Rolling Stone's compilation their coverage of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain is that it is one stop shopping. You can get just about everything published in RS abour Kurt and the band up until Kurt's death. Convienent? Yes. Informative? Well, considering Kurt rarely told the truth in interviews (for whatever reason) this book isn't going to give you alot you don't already know. The pictures are pretty lame - most of them were highly published during Nirvana's reign as the biggest band in the world. So, what makes Rolling Stone's collection so special? Because it's from Rolling Stone, the musical authority. If anything it's more of a coffee table book, especially with the dark, flattering picture of Cobain on the cover. Unfortunately, this is another way for corporate America to take advantage of a great artist, a great person who left this life too soon...

You'd be better off with something other than this book.

Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain was the talented, angry, and very depressed lead singer of an early 1990s grunge-rock band. This book written by "Rolling Stone" magazine is a factual book containing a few opinions on Cobain's life and personality. The authors did an exceptional job on informing the audience on his past background. They also did an astounding job on helping you understand why Cobain committed suicide and what his problems were. This book would be excellent for anyone who was a past fan of the band "Nirvana". Special quotes about Cobain's life and personality are given by Michael Stipe, who is the lead singer from R.E.M., Eddie Vedder, lead singer of Pearl Jam, and many other of his close friends. The authors used very descriptive details about this "legend's" life. This book made me realize what an incredible and depressing life Cobain led when he was young. I understood why he chose to do the things that he did towards the end of his life. What Courtney Love thought about his death was shocking and grabbing; while reading about his childhood history was informative and left a sympathetic feeling.

the perfect book for the perfect fan
i bought this book a couple months back thinking, "this is just gonna be another brief book about kurt's life. the same material every other book has." i didn't think that i'd actually get through the whole thing, cos i had heard his story over and over again anyways. i thought it'd be boring. man was i wrong! i couldn't put it down. halfway through the book, i realized this wasn't just any plain biography; this was a big colage of kurt's life: his music, his family, his drug abuse, and his sad death. some people think that kurt was just another junky-musician. but this book proves far beyond a doubt that he was so much more. he was a creative and influential person to all of us (even though some people choose to deny it). after reading this book, i came to the conclusion that i didn't need to buy any other books about kurt cobain, or nirvana, because all the imformation i needed was right in my hands.


The Informant: A True Story
Published in Audio Cassette by Soundelux Audio Pub (1900)
Authors: Kurt Eichenwald and Michael McConnohie
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The best thrillers are true stories
This true story of the fall of ADM is engaging and captivating. If you have any interest in big business and how it impacts on everyday life of everyday people, you will enjoy this glimpse inside ADM. The overarching story about a vast international conspiracy to fix prices is a gripping story of personal and corporate greed run amok. Ultimately, the actions of Mark Whitacre detailed here by Eichenwald affected many different people who never heard his name or knew his story. The story told here shows how much can go on in the world of corporate America to affect the lives of every person. Told in a straightforward manner, the story here is easy to follow and would be a great book if it were a piece of fiction. That the story is completely true makes The Informant all that much more gripping.

Truth IS Stranger than Fiction!
This book should be required reading in every MBA school in America. Every student who wants to work for Corporate America needs to read this. If nothing else than to see how their decisions can affect even the most powerful companies.

This book details an incredibly complex scheme by what is, in essence, the most politically connected corporation in America to fix prices in the lysine market. Lysine is used by the livestock industry to grow animals larger and faster. But, the conspiracy hardly stops there. ADM used similar price fixing techniques in other food additives they produced.

This is just the beginning of the criminal and unethical behavior of the Archer Daniels Midland Company and the management of that company, not to mention the behavior of the companies that ADM is doing "business" with.

Mr. Eichenwald has done an excellent job of detailing this complex conspiracy and telling an incredible, and often entertaining, story. You'd swear that this was a work of fiction. When reading this book, don't be afraid to go back and even put the book down for a few minutes to consider what you've just read. This is a very complex book. Which isn't to say it is difficult reading. It is not, but there are many details to sift through and the details sometimes become more mind-boggling as you go on.

Lysine larceny-an oustanding book.
I had purchased The Informant as a resource book for my next novel little knowing what an outstanding story lay within. I was quick to realize that the non-fiction book that I was reading read like a fiction thriller. Many times, as author Kurt Eichenwald vividly described the process of how the FBI groomed their informant, I realized that I was feeling both tense and anxious. I know that only a very powerful story could invoke those emotions in me.

Needless to say The Informant proved an excellent book for me to read. The bonus for me was that I got all of the information I needed to craft my next fiction novel, which will deal with an FBI and Navy sting operation and an informant.

I might add that The Constant Gardener by John Le Carre, just released an on it's way to being a bestseller (see my review), deals with something similar to the Archer Daniels Midland anti trust case. In Le Carre's book it is the pharmaceutical-government complex that are the bad guys.


Cat's Cradle
Published in Digital by RosettaBooks, LLC ()
Author: Kurt, Jr. Vonnegut
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Vonnegut
Cat's Cradle is by far the best Vonnegut novel that I have yet read. Blending his patented wry humor with acute social insight presented in an absurd fantasy world, Vonnegut has written an exceptional novel of love, lies, and the self destruction of mankind. The story centers around the narrator, Jonah, who is called by name once in the entire book. We are told in the beginning that he is writing a book on the events of the day the first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. His research leads him to a correspondence with Newt Hoenikker, the midget son of Doctor Felix Hoenikker, father of the atomic bomb. After meeting with Newt, destiny leads our protagonist to the impoverished island republic of San Lorenzo, where among other adventures, he finds religion, falls in love, and becomes president. All of this by itself would make for a very entertaining book, but it is not in the story line that Vonnegut's genius lies. Cat's Cradle is rife with painfully accurate insights into the institutions that our society holds so dear, such as, religion, politics, and science. Vonnegut invents for the inhabitants of San Lorenzo a brand new religion based completely and admittedly on "foma", or lies. This wouldn't be so shocking, except for the fact that this "bokonism" seems to make perfect sense. Other Vonnegut ironies pervade the book and are too elaborate to go into. Kurt Vonnegut is my favorite author of all time. Cat's Cradle is one of his funniest, most absurd, and frightening novels. This book truly causes one to stop and think about the things that one holds as unquestionably true. All of the incredible people, places, things, and ideas in Cat's Cradle are intricately woven into a perfect tapestry that sums up and spells out many of mankind's self-created problems in 191 pages. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Cat's Cradle is terrific. (As it was meant to be)
Cat's Cradle is by far the best Vonnegut novel that I have yet read. Blending his patented wry humor with acute social insight presented in an absurd fantasy world, Vonnegut has written an exceptional novel of love, lies, and the self destruction of mankind. The story centers around the narrator, Jonah, who is called by name once in the entire book. We are told in the beginning that he is writing a book on the events of the day the first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. His research leads him to a correspondence with Newt Hoenikker, the midget son of Doctor Felix Hoenikker, father of the atomic bomb. After meeting with Newt, destiny leads our protagonist to the impoverished island republic of San Lorenzo, where among other adventures, he finds religion, falls in love, and becomes president. All of this by itself would make for a very entertaining book, but it is not in the story line that Vonnegut's genius lies. Cat's Cradle is rife with painfully accurate insights into the institutions that our society holds so dear, such as, religion, politics, and science. Vonnegut invents for the inhabitants of San Lorenzo a brand new religion based completely and admittedly on "foma", or lies. This wouldn't be so shocking, except for the fact that this "bokonism" seems to make perfect sense. Other Vonnegut ironies pervade the book and are too elaborate to go into. Kurt Vonnegut is my favorite author of all time. Cat's Cradle is one of his funniest, most absurd, and frightening novels. This book truly causes one to stop and think about the things that one holds as unquestionably true. All of the incredible people, places, things, and ideas in Cat's Cradle are intricately woven into a perfect tapestry that sums up and spells out many of mankind's self-created problems in 191 pages.

Amazing
I don't like sci-fi, but I loved this. This is the first Vonnegut I've read (I took a chance after reading so much praise for it) and it definitely won't be the last. It's one of those rare and wonderful books in the same vein as Animal Farm: simple prose, easy to read, yet with ironic tinges and thought-provoking depths; a novel that can be read and enjoyed at many different levels.

Cat's Cradle is narrated through Jonah, an author who aims to write a book on the single day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. On investigating the atomic bomb's main founding father (and his three children) he is told about a *non-existant* substance with the capacity to provide all water on earth with a different molecular structure, turning it into Ice 9 (ie, a substance that could bring about the end of the world) A different assignment takes Jonah to the small island of San Lorenzo where he encounters Felix Hoenikker's three children and a society where the religion of choice (a religion that everyone knows is based on lies, yet still has utter faith in) is punishable by death, for the simple fact that it adds excitement to the dull lives of the inhabitants. I won't go any further...

The thing that delighted me most about this book was the way in which it was written. A lot of great and influential books are ones that (on the whole) you enjoy, but take a while to get into, and at times you feel like giving up on: you know the book in question is good literature, but the style and plot make finishing it seem a chore.
Similarly, a lot of fast-paced books hold little impact, don't challenge the mind and are forgotten the instant you read them.
Kurt Vonnegut has managed to write a powerful and memorable novel in a short, snappy style: this book has everything that makes a compelling, challenging read. Vonnegut lets you get a feel for the characters without going into lengthy descriptions, he manages to make sharp, subtle criticisms of religion, human nature and society without rambling or whining, his plot is exciting yet not unrealistic, he creates a hellish world that plays on everyone's fear of obliteration in precious few words. I thought the ending was too abrupt, but it fitted well with the rest of the story (and it would have been even more disappointing if he'd created a satisfying, everything-tied-up-nicely ending)

I found this impossible to put down, and highly recommend it to any fan of literature.


The Sirens of Titan
Published in Digital by RosettaBooks, LLC ()
Author: Kurt, Jr. Vonnegut
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Remember the Titans
When I read or reread Vonnegut, I often wish to weep: someone so wise, so funny, so irreverant yet reverant, so eloquent, managed to write fifteen to twenty wonderful works after surviving the bombing of Dresden. Hoorah!

SIRENS OF TITANS is startlingly mature for a novel written in 1959 (...). The insights about life and reality which one finds all the way through TIMEQUAKE already are fully developed here.

What insights? The ones obvious to those with ears to hear: that life is governed by accidents rather than the will of divinity; that the concept of "hell" is hideous and wrong; that humans are capable both of great kindness and great depravity; that irony seems to rule the universe with an iron fist; that despite the pains and hardships of life, there still is an astonishing richness of beauty, of wonder, and much to laugh heartily about. When one finds these last three, one might do best by paraphrasing the words of Vonnegut's dad: "If this isn't nice, what is?"

The novel's plot is, as with all classic Vonnegut novels, remarkably serpentine, ingenious, pyrotechnic, comic, and irrelevant. The core of the book is the worldview--but one cannot understand the worldview without experiencing the plot. Form equals content. A neat trick!

...

As usual, Vonnegut's SIRENS conjures for me the works of Philip K. Dick, Walter Kaufmann, and Tim Miller. I scarcely expect any readers of this review to be so reminded.

And yet I am certain, based upon e-mail responses to my Amazon.com reviews over the years, that there is, in fact, a recognizable thread running through the works of the above authors. In fact, those for whom my words reverberate might do well to trace the thread of my reviews: you will find lots of other fun literary works which most probably will reverberate for you.

For the rest of you, forget it. You either get it or you don't. There just ain't no darn sense in trying to explain.

One of the greatest Vonnegut novels ever.
What is the purpose of life? "Death," according to Sigmund Freud. "To Glorify God," according to Martin Luther. "To love whomever is around to be loved," according to a reformed Malachi Constant. This very early work differs significantly from KV's later and more famous books, but it's got a definite appeal. Vonnegut thinly conceals his brilliantly simple philosophy in a straight-forward science fiction story that can be enjoyed on several levels. On one hand, he gives us a thouroughly enjoyable fantasy story, complete with the aliens from Tralfamadore which later appear in "Slaughterhouse-Five." On the other, with characters like Malachi Constant, who lives life "too much," and Beatrice Rumfoord, who barely lives at all, he reveals a deep insight about the apparent pointlessness of life. But he believes, in spite of all the contrary evidence, that life does indeed have a purpose...and he REVEALS IT. Granted, this is an audacious endeavor, but Vonnegut has actually come up with one of the best answers to a question as old as consciousness that humanity has produced thus far. Read this book. Then read everything by KV you can get your hands on. Actually, I think you could do worse than naming your firstborn after him!!!

Underrated is an understatement for Sirens...
When people hear the name Kurt Vonnegut, they think of Slaughterhouse 5, or Cat's Cradle, or perhaps even that his books are often burned in high schools around the country for their dim look at human existence. Not to, in any way, down play the importance or greatness of his more famous works, as I love them all, but I must say that Sirens of Titan is superior to his other works. For some reason, perhaps the science fiction aspects of the novel, this book has not received its deserved recognition. I read approximately the first fifty pages thinking that this book would be about the same as his other novels. I almost put it away to start a different one. Thankfully, I pressed on. Literally, a few pages later, I was entranced by the language, the structure, the revealed surprises, and the humanity of The Sirens of Titan. Every time you think he has revealed the best secret of the book, another one reveals itself. This story is wonderfully intertwined between a set of characters, and the meaning of life. I have since read this book three more times, enjoying it more each time through. If you only read another book in your entire life, please let it be this one. Open your heart and your mind, and let Vonnegut pour into them his wisdom and hope for a better tomorrow.


Marvels
Published in Paperback by Marvel Books (01 October, 2001)
Authors: Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross
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Great Story
This is the first time that when I finished reading a comic book I thought, "This would make a wonderful movie." This is a story told not from a superhero point of view but from that of a photographer. It highlights some of the major events in Marvel comics history from the original Human Torch to the coming of the X-Men to, my personal favorite, the death of Gwen Stacy. Kurt Busiek has crafted a story that flows so smoothly once you start to read you won't want to quit until it's over and then you'll want to re-read. This is only highlighted by the dazzling art of Alex Ross who realistic style meshes together so well with the story. If you're a fan of Marvel comics or a good story, this is the book for you.

The Marvel Universe throguh the eyes of the everyman
First and formost, I am not a very big Marvel fan. I picked this up after reading "Kingdom Come" and thoroughly enjoying Alex Ross' art. The art here was just as good as it was in Kingdom Come but the story was totally different. As a matter of fact, this was different that any comics stories I've read. Nearly all stories put the superheroes in the driver's seat, with the stories being from their point of view and narration. This was the exact opposite. This story, much to its credit is told from the point of view of a photojounalist, Phil Sheldon. He chroicles the entire birth of the Marvel Universe, from the birth of the Human Torch in the 1940's to the death of Gwen Stacy in the more recent chain of events. He tells a story of awe, appreciation, respect and fear regarding the Marvels (as he likes to call these superheroes). He reflects the emotions of how humans would truly react whether this phenomenon had really occurred. The end product being a masterpiece and one of the best comic stories....no, one of the best stories ever written. As I mentioned in the beginning, the art is flawless and truly a feast for the eyes. The details that Ross places on every panel he paints is truly uncanny and cements his status as on the best artists in the medium. Much applause and crdit should go to the author, Kurt Busiek who does the seemingly impossible task of tying together all the events on the Marvel Universe in a very coherent manner (from the sighting of the X-MEN to the senate hearing for Tony Stark, the disbanding of The Avengers to the death of Captain Stacy). This shows that he had put in a lot of work on this painstaking research and story. All of these factors puts MARVELS on the list with other comic masterpieces such as The Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, etc. Anybody who believes comics are for kids and just a showcase for colorful and flamboyant superheroes should read this. This story manages to penetrate deeply emotional issues that are comparable and might even rival some of the writing done in the more mature and regular medium.

The Marvel universe as seen by the average Joe
MARVELS is a neat chronicle of watershed events in the Marvel universe that occur over a period of about fifty years. It's also seen from the perspective of the average, non-superpowered 'man on the street'. It all unfolds from the view of a newspaper photographer, as he witnesses the legendary battle between Namor the Sub-Mariner and the original Human Torch, the rise of the X-Men & their battle for equality, the death of Gwen Stacey, the aftermath of the X-Men's first battle with the Hellfire Club, and many more turning points in the Marvel world's history, all from an almost-safe distance.

Alex Ross's photorealistic painted artwork, rather than the pencil-ink-color process that is the norm, gives the book a 'real world' look. It's how the Marvel universe would look like were it shown 'live-action'. MARVELS marks Ross's big break into the comics scene, eventually making him one of the most in-demand talents in the medium today. This book was my first exposure to Ross' efforts, and I've been a big fan of his art ever since.

But there's also Kurt Busiek's story, which shows the man's reactions to the events as an outsider looking in. His story artistry gives you a glimpse, if you were able to, of how you'd experience the world of superheroes.

'Late!


Breakfast of Champions
Published in Paperback by Delta (11 May, 1999)
Author: Kurt, Jr. Vonnegut
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Amusingly Vonnegut, but not up to par
Perhaps if I had read Breakfast of Champions before having read Cat's Cradle and Slaughterhouse Five, I would have liked it more. It is indeed a fairly amusing read, and has his trademark insanity (but this time only at the end). However, Cradle was nuttier, Slaughterhouse deeper, and both more insightful and magical.

As it stands, the book is a great choice for one of two reasons. As an introduction to Vonnegut, it is light and clever enough to draw a reader in to his somewhat twisted worldview. And then if someone is addicted to Vonnegut and can't get enough of him, then this book can be alot of fun because it is pretty much pure Vonnegut (the style is present as well as a few characters from his other novels).

Other than that, I don't see much reason to rush to a bookstore and purchase a copy. People have stated that it is about America, and that is true, but the criticism/analysis goes nowhere. I believe it is more about writing and specifically about the idea of fictional characters, but not in a metaphysical way (which would have been interesting). If you like the recurring Kilgore Trout character in Vonnegut's work, then you'll enjoy this book because the story is all about him and the ending spotlights him in a rather magical way.

One of Vonnegut's better books
Breakfast of Champions is one of Vonnegut's more light-hearted pieces. However, the book does have serious comments on society, life, and the interaction of people. The story follows two characters: Mr. Trout, a science fiction writer; and a car salesman by the name of Mr. Hoover. Kilgore Trout has been summoned by Elliot Rosewater (who is also the main character in Kurt Vonnegut's "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater") to be the guest of honor at an arts festival. Quite suprised that anyone even knows he exists, Mr. trout sets off across the country to attend the event. Along the way, Vonnegut treats the reader to a variety of Trout's short story ideas (most of which sound like either bad, or really obscure science fiction). At the same time, the story follows Wayne Hoover's dysfunctional sturggle to make it through life as an automobile salesman. The story focuses both men as they progress towards, and eventually converge on the arts festival. Many characters that appear in this novel also appear in other Vonnegut novels, making it an excellent introduction to Kurt Vonnegut's work.

Among the many minor (or mini) themes that Vonnegut offers the reader throughout the book, a major one emerges. He seems to say that people should be careful of what they say, or write, because we effect other is ways that we can't even imagine (both negativelly and possitivelly). Often times we are, and remain, unaware of the consequences of our actions.

There is also another aspect of the novel that is noteworthy: The illustrations. Mr. Vonnegut weaves rather simple drawing into the actual text of the story (often for a humorous effect). These illustrations often take the place of verbal descriptions. For the first hundred pages, or so, this style is interesting. However, after that it grows old, and begins to seem like an easy way to avoid describing objects. This, however, is my only complaint concerning the book. I would recomend the novel to any Kurt Vonnegut fan. I would also recomend this as an introduction to Mr. Vonnegut's work, or to a person who loves humorous stories.

Eat This Book
This book should be read for several reasons:

First, it is an important lesson in American history. In the form of a fictional town, Vonnegut creates a brilliant (read "entertaining") satire of American life. With great agility he addresses race, sexuality, gender, freedom, nature, and much more. Although still largely applicable, this satire is dated (1972).

Second, Vonnegut experiments with form; the narration occurs as an acummulation of loosely connected details. This makes the book fast and fun to read--we skip from one interesting thought to the next, and before we know it, a plot develops. The entire story is littered with profound ideas about life and art; Vonnegut is refreshingly honest and articulate concerning the great mysteries, including life's meaning and minimal art.

Third, the author demonstrates his drawing talent (albeit it limited), with almost every other page hosting a small doodle. While these pictures add little to the content, it is apparent that Vonnegut took great satisfaction in making a text complete with illustrations. For this reason, I call it art.

Fourth, this book might actually encourage you to measure your genitals. (So as to compare yourself with Dwayne, Kilgore, and the rest of the characters.) And, as a bonus, the author reveals his own measurements. In fairness, women are also reduced to their bust/waist/hips measurements.


Bluebeard
Published in Hardcover by Delacorte Press (1987)
Author: Kurt, Jr. Vonnegut
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More Kurt
Kurt Vonnegut is one of our most treasured modern American writers, and with good reason. Although it is not one of his masterpieces, Bluebeard is another fine novel from Vonnegut. It's written in the highly caustic first-person style of many of his books, and his writing is just as devastatingly clever as ever. The amazing thing about Vonnegut is that his prose is very simple - almost child-like at times. This would seem at first glance to trivialize the contents or take away from the produndity of the book, but this it does not do. As Michael Crichton has pointed out in his essay on Vonnegut, this seems like a really simple way to write; but, as anyone who has actually tried to do it knows, it is actually much more difficult than it seems. What makes this particular book special is that here we encounter perhaps Vonnegut's most recognizably human character. He has his faults, like all of us, and is a very tender and lovable character (as opposed to, say, the narrarator in Hocus Pocus.) We feel this man's tragedies as we go along. That his story is told to us through typical Vonnegut wit and farce makes it only that much the better. Highly reccommended for fans of the author.

Relaxing read and a great story
This really is one of the best Vonnegut books I have read. I loved the simplistic story and straightforward plot, much easier to understand than Vonnegut's other books and the characters are more like real people making them much easier to relate to than a soldier who travels through time used in one of his other books for example. Mr. Vonnegut even has some realistic romance in this story, which makes it quite refreshing. Most of his other books portray romance as a human folly that always ends in tragedy (I can see his point but it's best to enjoy nice things while they last). I would highly recomend this book for anyone who loves Vonnegut or anyone who has hope for the human condition.

Behind the simplicity, sheer genius.....
I don't normally write reviews for books that I've read, but on this one I couldn't remain silent. As good as Slaughterhouse Five was, Bluebeard shows a more mature, well-refined Vonnegut at the top of his game. This is a story that could be considered rags-to-riches on one level, and the supreme failure on another of a famous artist's life. The sarcastic wit and humor so prevelant in Slaugterhouse Five is present here too, but is used in a much more forgiving and less taunting fashion, as if Vonnegut has become more tolerant of his own idiosyncracies late in life. The book is a kinder, gentler Vonnegut with enourmous depth.

Without giving away the story, the "big secret at the end of the book" lives up to its billing; in so many books, the "big ending" falls flat. Not so in this case. I was floored, moved, elated, and generaly in awe of the genius of the idea. It made me realize that the helter-skelter events in the main character's life had been anything but; Vonnegut had written every event in the main character's life like Mozart placing every note it its correct place. This may be the most human book I've ever read; it is teaching the reader about life without being preachy, witty without being annoyingly sarcastic and thoughtful about the state of human existence and how we all interact. Most of all, it makes the reader really think about what he or she ultimately does with his life. This book is a must-read.


Slapstick
Published in Audio Cassette by Books on Tape ()
Author: Kurt, Jr. Vonnegut
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Slapstick is an exciting look at the oddest of odd.
Slapstick, the novel by Kurt Vonnegut, is an exciting take on the oddest of odd. The story of freakish twins who grow up sharing one mind, captures the audience's attention with it's originality, and hidden humor. The novel becomes difficult to put down because of it's interesting plot. Because of it's difference to other novels, Slapstick is a one of a kind book that everyone should take the time to read. The story gives the reader a new understanding and thoughtfulness of life.

A great authors best book
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. has written many great novels, but this ma y be his best. Mr. Vonnegut turns the world on it's ear and then shows us the absurdity of it all. I found Slapstick t o be both his funniest and finest novel, a work of real huma nity and humor. There were times when my stomach hurt from laghing and on the same page he managed to turn it sour. As lo, there is the style issue. He plays with the reader by s topping and starting and punchates the whole wonderful mess with word hiccups. Hi Ho. In closing, if you have ever re ad and enjoyed black humor, read it at it's best. Slapstick is the best

Vonnegut's best work
While Vonnegut himself criticized this book, giving it a low grade in his writing report card, I find it to be one of his two best (the other being Galapagos). Slapstick is one of the funniest books I have ever read, in addition to being a stunning example of how forced collectivism would affect the world.

Vonnegut's books often make no sense on purpose. This annoyed me about Vonnegut when reading Slaughterhouse 5 and Breakfast of Champions. However, Slapstick has an impressively coherent plot. For all those who have complained that there is not enough unity or togetherness in the world, this book is an answer. The arbitrary collectivism imposed by the main character is disastrous to the nation. Everything regresses. While Vonnegut claimed to be an advocate of socialism, this book makes a well-defined argument against it. Vonnegut's works are not often read as intensely ideological, merely as humor, but satire implies ideas. This is one of my 20 favorite books, and that is exceedingly high praise.

Vonnegut fans will enjoy the inherent satire in this book, as well as the usual cheap comic gimmicks (yes, you know the phrase involving flying donuts and the mooooooooooooon). However, those who dislike most of Vonnegut's work will find in Slapstick a thorouighly enjoyable, coherent ideological work. Even if you don't generally like Vonnegut's style, this book may very easily surprise you.


MCSE NT Workstation 4 Exam Cram
Published in Paperback by The Coriolis Group (1997)
Authors: Ed Tittel, Kurt Hudson, and James Michael Stewart
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Great review companion for a more in-depth study book
Despite a few errors and being a little thin in a couple of subject areas (most notably Domain-related issues), I found this book to be a terrific review companion to some of the larger, more comprehensive guides to WS4 (such as New Riders, Alan Carter, etc.)

I read this book after covering Coriolis's larger Exam "PREP" book (which I can't recommend) a few days before my test. This book & its sample tests covered much material NOT found in the PREP book. This book, combined with the Transcenders, gave me the ability to score 933.

I have read many reviews that complain about the 11+ pages of errata that Coriolis has provided at its website for the various editions of this book, but I think they are overreacting. What many of these reviewers miss is the fact that most of these corrections have already been assimilated into the newer editions of the book. If your book's publishing date is 1999 or later, you have little to worry about. As Coriolis says, "This page was created so that even those with the earliest printings of each title can have access to the most current updates."

This being said, there are still a few lingering errors, and I even found one case where a question in the 1st sample test directly contradicted a virtually identical, but reworded, question in the 2nd sample test. I forwarded my findings to the publishers & was surprised when Ed Tittle personally replied within one day. They may not have wiped out every single error, but at least they're staying on top of things.

Overall, this is an exceptional review book & a darned good value for the money.

Exam Cram is excellent
Exam Cram for Workstation is the first of the series that I have read. I have read most of the Sybex MCSE study guides and Exam Cram is much better. It is very concise, does a good job explaining complicated subjects, and right on in terms of the must know information to pass the test. It is an excellent book to read just before you take the exam. The sample questions are excellent and the 4 page review summary sheet is wonderful. This is a must buy as far as I am concerned. I wish I had access to these prior to taking my other exams.

The exam/cram series is a must for certification bound techs
I have used numerous other study guides for the NT 4 workstation. I got a good understanding of NT, but not good enough for certification. On the transcenders prep test, I scored 610. The certification path involves too much study materials and I have not been pleased by all the materials I've read until I found the exam cram series. This book finally made the NT make sense to me. I was able to make a bootable NT floppy. Make sense of the shared permissions versus local permissions. The book will clear up so much for the individual on the certification path. I am very confident now of my NT knowledge and I'm ready for the exam. Wish I had bought the whole series for $69. I would have given it a 10 but it does have a few typos, but it's not bad enough to damage the quality of the book.


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