Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Unavailable
    Armageddon in Retrospect
    Unavailable
    Armageddon in Retrospect
    Unavailable
    Armageddon in Retrospect
    Audiobook5 hours

    Armageddon in Retrospect

    Written by Kurt Vonnegut

    Narrated by Rip Torn

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    The New York Times bestseller-a "gripping" posthumous collection of previously unpublished work by Kurt Vonnegut on the subject of war.

    A fitting tribute to a literary legend and a profoundly humane humorist, Armageddon in Retrospect is a collection of twelve previously unpublished writings on war and peace. Imbued with Vonnegut's trademark rueful humor and outraged moral sense, the pieces range from a letter written by Vonnegut to his family in 1945, informing them that he'd been taken prisoner by the Germans, to his last speech, delivered after his death by his son Mark, who provides a warmly personal introduction to the collection. Taken together, these pieces provide fresh insight into Vonnegut's enduring literary genius and reinforce his ongoing moral relevance in today's world.

    From the Trade Paperback edition.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateApr 1, 2008
    ISBN9781429592130
    Unavailable
    Armageddon in Retrospect
    Author

    Kurt Vonnegut

    Kurt Vonnegut was a master of contemporary American Literature. His black humor, satiric voice, and incomparable imagination first captured America's attention in The Siren's of Titan in 1959 and established him as ""a true artist"" with Cat's Cradle in 1963. He was, as Graham Greene has declared, ""one of the best living American writers.""

    More audiobooks from Kurt Vonnegut

    Related to Armageddon in Retrospect

    Related audiobooks

    Literary Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Some Wars Are Just

      Nov 24, 2022

      Some Wars Are Just
      6 min read

    • Article

      ‘All Quiet On The Western Front’: A German Retelling For A Modern Time

      Oct 28, 2022

      War was sold to a young Paul Bäumer as a romantic ideal. Spurred by a patriotic teacher, he volunteers to join his fellow classmates – mere boys – on the front lines of a war that quickly manifests as anything but aspirational. The protagonist of “Al

      5 min read

    • Article

      Top 10 novels about postwar Germany | Martin Goodman

      Apr 13, 2022

      My mother, with her wartime childhood, refused to set foot on German soil. But in 1975, I was headed to Berlin. At the airport, she took the gold Virgin Mary from her neck and placed it around mine. Till then my life had been enveloped in a “Britain-

      4 min read

    • Article

      Incroyable!

      May 2, 2019

      First, it is essential to decrypt the title of this book, which collects cartoons savaging the three principal Allied Warlords that were published in the most offensive Nazi weekly Der Stürmer [The Stormer]. The title is not self-explanatory even for

      4 min read

    • Article

      Fallen Star

      Dec 29, 2020

      Fallen Star
      9 min read

    • Article

      A Century Of Vonnegut

      Nov 1, 2022

      Kurt Vonnegut was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 11,1922 — just three years after President Wilson first declared November 11 Armistice Day, marking the end of what was then simply called “The Great War.” It’s ironic that a child born on

      1 min read

    • Article

      Michael Wood On…

      Feb 17, 2022

      Recently, I saw the absolutely enthralling new production of Cabaret, which tells the tale of American writer Cliff Bradshaw in 1930s Berlin. This musical chronicles Bradshaw’s relationship with nightclub singer Sally Bowles, the fictional alter ego

      3 min read

    • Article

      What's 'Casablanca' Without Nazis? After WWII, German Audiences Found Out

      Dec 17, 2017

      The original Casablanca was passionately anti-Nazi. But when it was dubbed for German audiences, Warner Bros. deleted all scenes with Nazis in them, and almost all mention of the war.

      2 min read

    • Article

      Reduced To Rubble

      Feb 20, 2020

      Reduced To Rubble
      4 min read

    • Article

      Diary Of A Lost Generation

      Sep 21, 2018

      Diary Of A Lost Generation
      5 min read

    • Article

      Blueprint For Wwii Resistance

      Sep 28, 2021

      Blueprint For Wwii Resistance
      12 min read

    • Article

      Pièce De Résistance

      Jul 12, 2022

      Pièce De Résistance
      14 min read

    • Article

      Les Monstres Among Us

      Jul 16, 2018

      Les Monstres Among Us
      6 min read

    • Article

      Courage Under Occupation

      Mar 17, 2022

      Resistance: The Underground War in Europe. 1939-1945 by Halik Kochanski Penguin, 960 pages, £35 In 1943, Polish resistance fighter Jan Nowak was on his way back from a secret meeting in Warsaw when he was stopped in the street by a Gestapo agent. The

      2 min read

    • Article

      5 Best Books On Foreign Waffen-ss

      Jan 24, 2019

      This book does exactly what it says on the tin; Rikmenspoel is an acknowledged expert on the Waffen-SS, and this work covers not only all the foreign Waffen-SS units but also the volunteers themselves by country and nationality. It has sections on th

      1 min read

    • Article

      Daring Dispatches

      May 13, 2021

      War has long been understood as men’s business. The memoirs of generals and front-line soldiers compete for shelf space with edited collections of letters from soldiers and military histories largely written by men. This book is a salutary reminder t

      1 min read

    • Article

      Twin Totems Of Teutonic Angst

      Jun 29, 2023

      Twin Totems Of Teutonic Angst
      8 min read

    • Article

      Still Trying Times

      Sep 2, 2020

      II is September, 1944 in Miihlberg-on-Elbe, Germany and a group of young men are frantically searching for as much millet soup as they can get their hands on. It's the monthly deadline for Flywheel: the exquisite motoring magazine produced by prisone

      5 min read

    • Article

      The Bitter Taste Of Victory

      Apr 16, 2020

      The Bitter Taste Of Victory
      9 min read

    • Article

      The Roots Of German Militarism

      Sep 29, 2022

      The Roots Of German Militarism
      5 min read

    • Article

      Beyond Belief

      Jul 4, 2021

      Beyond Belief
      2 min read

    Reviews for Armageddon in Retrospect

    4/5

    389 ratings24 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      It's a posthumous book of fictions and nonfictions. Some stories shine brighter than others but all of Vonnegut's usual playful pessimism is there in full force. There were a couple of stories that I didn't quite care for but there is a facsimile copy of a letter Vonnegut wrote to his family after being liberated from POW status. This alone I felt was worth the price of admission.

    • 4/5
      There's a great introduction by Vonnegut's son & the book is read by Rip Torn, a favorite actor of mine.

      It's pretty interesting. The point of 'Sirens', as put forth by David in #18, seems to have been echoed by Vonnegut's son in a completely unrelated chat between the two shortly before Kurt's death. It's worth reading, if only for the intro.

      The first story was a speech he gave in 2007 & that seems to have set the tone. The stories so far are OK, but Vonnegut's Dresden horror stories made up most & got a bit old. He's very anti-war & continually points out it's stupid & horrible. There were a few 5 star stories that really put a face on the horrors of war perfectly, but most wandered about in a rather long-winded manner which didn't do the point any favors. The title story came last & had a couple of good or amusing points, but was a disappointment overall.

      Overall, typical Vonnegut & worth reading especially if you've liked his other works.
    • 5/5
      Kurt Vonnegut is always a great read and this is no exception. Seriously, read it. Even if you don't think you'd like Kurt, you need to read it because I said so.
    • 5/5
      WWII and beyond from the eyes of a master satirist.
    • 4/5
      He's a writer who combines writing beautifully with actually having something to say. This is a great farewell.
    • 4/5
      This was a solid assembly of short works by Kurt Vonnegut. Some of them are really good and others fall by the wayside. Nevertheless, it is an important collection and, for those who enjoy the man's works, it should be read. The introduction is also highly illuminating, written by his son, about the famed writer.4 stars.
    • 5/5
      In a letter, Vonnegut argues that reading a short story every day is a much an act of daily meditation as - well - daily meditation. I’ve just read ‘Happy Birthday,1951’ and he’s right.
    • 3/5
      I really liked some of the essays at the beginning, not so much at the end but always a fan of Vonnegut
    • 4/5
      I read this while on holiday in France. Some have questioned whether some of Vonnegut's oeuvre was unpublished for a reason and should have remained out of the public sphere, but I found this collection of musings on war and it's relation to peace compelling.
    • 4/5
      Vonnegut continues to do what he does best from beyond the grave - poke fun at the tragedy of the human condition. Wonder why these works remained unpublished until after his death. We shall see
    • 3/5
      This was an interesting compilation, but I felt as if the material was more a collection of musings and short stories than essays and short lectures. As a whole, there were moments when I was struck by an anecdote or the voice(s) involved, but there were fewer moments when I was truly compelled to continue. True, I read the collection quickly, and was entertained, but as for it provoking serious (and/or new) thought on my part in relation to war and peace, I was fairly disappointed. I suppose I just wanted a more provoking or intellectual journey from the material, and felt more as if I was reading an easy-to-take in collection of letters and conversations. Simply, I just wanted and expected more.
    • 3/5
      I have a problem with the way Kurt Vonnegut collections seem to be coming out more quickly now than when he was alive. There is often a reason why the author had a collection of “previously unpublished” works.Hence, I approached this latest with some trepidation. My fear was unfounded. No, this is not a collection of the world’s greatest. Yes, there are a few clunkers. But, overall, it is a nicely rounded collection that shows the development of the writer. And, the most surprising (pleasantly surprising) aspect was that, in spite of being called “writings on war and peace”, it was primarily fiction. Yes, a copy of his last speech (that was actually made by his son) is included. Yes, there is a copy of the letter he sent his parents upon return from the war. But it is really a collection of stories.And it becomes quickly evident that Vonnegut, even when not at his best, ain’t half bad. So, the recommendation for this comes with a caveat. If you are new to Vonnegut, find other places to spend your time. However, if you already know most of the works, then this is an opportunity for an additional, pleasant visit with a friend who is no longer with us.
    • 3/5
      Meh...the title story is hilarious, most of the other stories are just okay, and the non-fiction is crap. So, pretty much what might well be expected of unpublished Vonnegut. The reading by Rip Torn probably helps a bit.
    • 5/5
      This book gives a pretty nice look at some of Vonnegut's shorter work and his ability to reveal man's everyday struggles in the horror of war.
    • 4/5
      Sad, hopeful, thoughtful, and mind blowing. Vonnegut has always been a favourite of mine, but this book is simply amazing. Most especially, the very first piece, a copy of a letter he sent home after he had been missing in action for months. Despite being brought to tears many times, the balance with humour is what makes the writing timeless.
    • 5/5
      It's the 'we-swear-these-are-the-last-unpublished-writings-from-Vonnegut' book. Obviously it's a 'rest of' collection, but it doesn't feel like that because of Vonnegut's genius. Unquestionably he was one of the greatest writer of the last century. R.I.P.
    • 5/5
      This is Vonnegut's last work. After reading this, I officially (and sadly) had to say good bye. I savored every page of this book -- from the illustrations to the short stories and speeches. "The Commander's Desk" is my favorite here.
    • 5/5
      A collection of short stories published posthumously written about war. Many of the stories are set in WWII, but at least one story is a time-travelling tale in the future, and another is a tale of how 3 men stay hopeful during war dreaming about their first free meal. A number of tales take place during the emancipation of Germany by the Americans in WWII. Excellent, excellent, excellent.
    • 3/5
      A series of short stories produce by Vonnegut shortly before his death. Some of the stories have been re-written in different versions and all focus on the horrors of war. In particular, Wailing will be in All Streets has the most detailed accounts of the bombing of Dresden and is the predecessor of the book that would become Slaughterhouse Five. I enjoyed Bagombo Snuffbox better even though many of those stories are dated (some were in fantastic story magazines in the 1950s). Many of these stories focus on Vonnegut's experience as a prisoner of war and a witness to the bombing of Dresden. I enjoyed the American Garrison and the Commandant's Desk the best. Some excerpts:(from the introduction)Reading and writing are subversive acts. What they subvert is the fact that things have to be they way they are. That you are alone. That no one has felt the way they have. That the world is far more up for grabs than they realized. That the world is a different place just from reading a damned book. From The Commandant's DeskIt's a tragedy they smashed everything and confiscated the most beautiful furniture in Beda. I smiled and shook my head. "Ah those enemies of capitalism. They had their quarters fixed up like a little Versailles." "We saw the wreckage." said the captain. And then when they couldn't have the treasures anymore, well then no one could have them. I made a motion like a man swinging an axe. And the world becomes a little duller for us all for there being fewer treasures, bourgeois treasures. But for those that can't afford beautiful things love the idea of there being such things somewhere. From the American GarrisonYou asked when the end of hate would come. He said at last, "It comes right now. No more labor battalions, no more stealing, no more smashing. I haven't seen enough to hate...but I'm sure I can hate the people of Beda as bitterly as Major Evans did if they don't start out tomorrow to rebuild this into a decent place for the children.
    • 3/5
      Very excited to be able to read some unpublished material from my favorite author. Won't replace never getting a new novel from him, but it will do. Mostly short stories--all enjoyable, almost all taking place during WWII. Great quote from one of his classic illustrations: "Where do I get my ideas from? You might as well have asked that of Beethoven. He was goofing around in Germany like everybody else, and all of a sudden this stuff came gushing out of him. It was music. I was goofing around like everybody else in Indiana, and all of a sudden stuff came gushing out. It was disgust with civilization."
    • 5/5
      This doesn’t feel like the posthumous collection it is. These stories are impeccably crafted, and fit perfectly together. That’s a credit to the skill of the writer: even his non-published works are eminently publishable.I started to read Vonnegut after watching him interact with Jon Stewart on the Daily Show. His dark humor and wise quips were enough for me to take a chance on his writing next time I dropped by the book store.I’m thankful for his large catalogue of writing—and I hope there are still some more gems hiding in his files.
    • 4/5
      While the book as a whole goes by in a flash, there are one or two stories that really made me laugh. I still smile thinking of them today. The situations Vonnegut places his characters in seem fantastic, but he gives them real emotion and a down-to-earth appeal. The rest of the stories are quite forgettable, but I'm sure I enjoyed reading them.
    • 4/5
      A collection of stories and essays by one of my favorite authors. Most are based on his experiences as a POW in Dresden, and in the time right afterwards. Several seem like attempts to craft his experiences into a story of some sort, and as the stories are undted, you wonder if these were early attempts to get a handle on it all - which he did in Sluaghterhouse Five. Or maybe they were later variations on this major and life-altering experience. Either way, they are very good, but not his best work. Still, it's good to read anything by this great American writer.
    • 4/5
      This is an uneven collection of writings as are most posthumous collections. Nevertheless the writing is quintessentially Vonnegut. The title reflects the book's loose theme; it contains recollections and stories tied to his wartime experiences in the Battle of the Bulge and as a POW in Dresden during its firebombing. I particularly enjoyed his last written speech delivered at Clowes Hall by his son shortly after Kurt's death. Aptly, his last written words were: "And I thank you for your attention, and I'm out of here."