Like Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) was a Midwestern everyman steeped in the rhythms of American speech whose anger at the way things are was matched only by his love for the best that we can be. His cunningly relaxed delivery was so original, so finely calibrated, and so profound an articulation of the Sixties' spirit that many critics overlooked the moral seriousness behind the standup-comic craftsmanship.
Capturing Vonnegut in pyrotechnic mid-career, this first volume of a projected three-volume edition gathers four of his most acclaimed novels. "Cat's Cradle" (1963) is a comedy of the end of the world (it ends with ice). "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater" (1965) is the tale of a so-called fool, his money, and the lawyer who contrives to part them (it ends with fire). "Slaughterhouse-Five "(1969), Vonnegut's breakout book and one of the iconic masterpieces of twentieth-century American literature, is the tale of Billy Pilgrim, who, being unstuck in time, is doomed to continually relive both the firebombing of Dresden and his abduction by space aliens. And, in a text enhanced by the author's spirited line drawings, "Breakfast of Champions" (1973) describes the fateful meeting of "two lonesome, skinny, fairly old white men," one of whom disastrously believes that everyone else is a robot. The volume is rounded out with three brilliant short stories and revealing autobiographical accounts of the bombing of Dresden.

Cadet Stretch Wheatley Must Juggle His Life As A Company Commander In Military School And As Star Player On The Basketball Court.

In this slim, elegant memoir, Sidney Offit -- novelist, teacher, and curator of one of the nation's most prestigious journalism awards -- explores with warmth and humor, the complexities of this extraordinary father-son relationship. As moving as it is unique, "Memoir of the Bookie's Son" is a family portrait that will make you think, make you laugh, make you cry.

One dog, one turtle, one rabbit and one frog become invisible right out there in the middle of the baseball field during the most important game of the season. Joe is the boy who wants to help his great, aging idol, Soupbone McDexter. Christopher provides the means with a chemistry set. An ingenious story, fast paced and witty, certain to provide light and happy reading for young readers.

Homer Fink could speak Latin and Greek or chart the orbit of the planet Jupiter, but when it came to tying his shoelaces or knotting his tie Homer was helpless.   The Adventures of Homer Fink is a story of youth’s first awareness of power and philosophy and love. It is peopled with characters as real as your next-door neighbors and yet uniquely extraordinary. Above all, this is a tale full of humor and affection and the wonder of growing up.