This is vintage Vonnegut: a collection of sketches and stories that were previously unpublished. Unfortunately, except for the opening letter (1945) and the speech (2007), none of them are dated. Most of the sketches and stories knock on the same door. They are reminiscent of his days as a prisoner of war in Germany and his subsequent liberation. As an avid fan, I recognize in them many of his oft-stated views of life, war, politics, etc. The final item, that lends title to the volume, seems a bit more pessimistic: more like his essays in A Man Without a Country. The reader is also treated to several of his drawings and quips including his self-portrait and his infamous asterisk from Breakfast of Champions.

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