Wildly, irreverently anti-establishment (when it matters) Vonnegut is a delight to read for his humor and esquisite penetration of hallowed balloons, and he gives cause to reflect on the American social and political scene like few others have. It is hard to imagine that the author was in his 80s when it wrote Man without a Country, so fresh is his insight.

This book is a bit of a disappointment. I had anticipated a greater effort on the author's part. He seems to be camping through much of it, and I had the impression it was published only because he needed a little cash flow.

Vonnegut comes out of retirement to make a commentary on present day America. We know it is such, as he speaks of his pure bred German American roots. He shows through scintillating explanations and elucidations that there are serious problems in this world, and particularly in this country. He does not hide his contempt for the blatant middle class assault and corporate free for all that has been going on during the current administration.

With a smooth and slightly dryer than normal tone, Vonnegut gives us chapters of wisdom regarding the general environment around us. In most of them, he indicates the failure of men to be good stewards and guardians of the Earth as our main resource. He is concerned about the kind of world we have created and where his grandchildren will end up. How could we even imagine projecting out 50 years in the information age? The world we have created is likely to reflect the way we have treated it and that treatment has been pretty shabbily handled.

Long time Vonnegut readers can see the shift from one who thought perhaps there was a way of saving ourselves to one who is less naïve about human ways and means. His approach is more considered. His experience is so much greater. He indicates that he has given up on the human race. He can not teach them what they need to know, because they do not care to listen.

The book is recommended for all Vonnegut readers, especially long term ones. Also, all readers interested in a long watcher or life's comments on the state of the world he is to leave somewhere not so long down the road. Excellent commentary!

Everybody talks, but when Kurt speaks, people might actually listen. I do take exception to Publisher's Weekly Review, which was probably written by somebody one fourth Kurt's age. It's just political crap, so don't pay attention. What our Kurt tells us is what he always tells us: the truth. It is painful, it is traumatic, it is often funny, but it is always simply what is.
And what our Kurt tells us in this book is that we are in denial addicts of a drug known as "fossil fuel" and that our planet, due to human stupidity and greed, is going to hell in a handbasket. We know this. But, as he says, we are in denial. Kurt Vonnegut is 82 years old and very, very smart. I'd say that listening to him is a better bet than listening to a government peopled by idiots who care far less about the earth and its inhabitants as a whole than about their personal political power. I think we're all tired of this.
Far as I'm concerned, Kurt Vonnegut is the Mark Twain of the previous and current century. He is a fearless advocate of that which is humane and ecological, however hard it might be. And he's a Luddite. Well, whoopy de do! So am I. I still use real paints instead of computer imaging. Just guess what lasts longer.You know, there is something to be said about the opinions of somebody who is old enough to have seen the dramatic changes that have occured during the last century, and smart enough to put them into some kind of order. Kurt does this. I love this man, immensely. Were I to actually meet him, I think I would just give him a big hug and thank him for being himself over and over. We are so very lucky to have a Kurt Vonnegut in our midst, right now, to impart some wisdom.

I have nothing but respect for Kurt Vonnegut. I think he has done some marvelous work despite obstacles of sensorship and persecution over the years. Which is why I understood this book, however at the end of the day I didn't like it.

I don't agree with the standard classification of this book as "humor". Vonnegut's writing is just plain cynical. While reading, I got the feeling that the writer has put up with a lot in his day, but has always had something to make it worth going on. Then with the election of George Bush, some realization came that the something was never really there. So let's just all move to Canada! There's no looking ahead, there's no offer of hope, or call to action, it's just an old man bitching about how the world hasn't become better despite his very best efforts and the pains of complacency. Personally, I found this book annoying to read, but when I tried to figure out what exactly bothered me, I realized it wasn't so much the writing, but that I felt that the writer gave up. I was mad at Vonnegut. And for that I respect him. Any book that gives me a genuine emotional reaction, whether positive or negative, I can appreciate as a good writing. But I'm still mad at him. It's just dissappointing that this is the book to bring him out of retirement, and quite possibly his last book.