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And So It Goes : Kurt Vonnegut: a Life by Charles J. Shields 2012 Gd+ PB 1st Ed.
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A book that has been read but is in good condition. Very minimal damage to the cover including scuff marks, but no holes or tears. The dust jacket for hard covers may not be included. Binding has minimal wear. The majority of pages are undamaged with minimal creasing or tearing, minimal pencil underlining of text, no highlighting of text, no writing in margins. No missing pages. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
- Buy It NowAnd So It Goes : Kurt Vonnegut: a Life by Charles J. Shields 2012 Gd+ PB 1st Ed.
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eBay item number:376426145182
Item specifics
- Condition
- Features
- first edition
- Edition
- First Edition
- ISBN
- 9781250012180
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
St. Martin's Press
ISBN-10
125001218X
ISBN-13
9781250012180
eBay Product ID (ePID)
8038487993
Product Key Features
Book Title
And So It Goes : Kurt Vonnegut: Alife
Number of Pages
544 Pages
Language
English
Publication Year
2012
Topic
Literary, American / General
Illustrator
Yes
Genre
Literary Criticism, Biography & Autobiography
Format
Trade Paperback
Dimensions
Item Height
1.2 in
Item Weight
13.8 Oz
Item Length
8.5 in
Item Width
5.5 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Trade
Dewey Edition
23
Reviews
And So It Goes will entrance lovers of Kurt Vonnegut's fiction. With the blessing of Vonnegut himself and help from scores of Vonnegut's friends, relations, and acquaintances, Charles J. Shields gives us a distinguished, fearless, page-turner of a biography., "An incisive, gossipy page-turner of a biography." Janet Maslin, The New York Times "An engaging, surprising and empathetic page-turner"- Deirdre Donahue, USA Today "The first truly exacting look into the life of a man who has fascinated so many."- Esquire Magazine "Engaging and well paced, the book fills in the reality behind Vonnegut's work"-Christen Aragoni, The American Prospect "This first authorized biography probes both Vonnegut's creative struggles and family life, detailing his transition from 'the bowery of the book world' to counterculture icon. Shields delivers a vivid recreation of Vonnegut's ghastly WWII experiences as a POW during the Dresden firebombing that became the basis for Slaughterhouse-Five . . . . Tragedies and triumphs are contrasted throughout, along with an adroit literary analysis that highlights obscure or overlooked influences on Vonnegut. . . . With access to more than 1,500 letters, Shields conducted hundreds of interviews to produce this engrossing, definitive biography."- PW , Starred Review "This book fills a much-needed gap, since very little seems to be known about the late Kurt Vonnegut, despite his immense popularity over almost five decades. Shields did a thorough job, interviewing Vonnegut and his friends and family, and examining many letters. Vonnegut was one of the most influential authors of the late twentieth century, and this biography is essential reading."-Anis Shivani, Huffington Post "Provide[s] a definitive and disturbing account of the late author, whose ambition and talent transformed him from an obscure science fiction writer to a countercultural icon."-Steve Almond, The Boston Globe "[A] thorough and excellent new biography." Tim Gebhart, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer "The richest portrait of Vonnegut to date."-Craig Fehrman, Indianapolis Monthly "[A] balanced, well-researched study of a flawed yet powerfully imaginative artist."-Ariel Gonzalez, Miami Herald Tribune "A triumphant biography: scrupulously researched and powerfully written, compassionate, clear-eyed and compelling. Charles J. Shields manages a rare feat: offering a lucid assessment of Kurt Vonnegut's literary life alongside the moving tale of an American original and a misunderstood hero. From his harrowing survival of the Dresden firebombing through forty years of culture clashes and domestic battles, here is the Vonnegut we all thought we knew and the man we never got to see, a writer of searing wit and wisdom, of driving ambition, and perhaps most of all, of aching loneliness."-Jess Walker, author of The Financial Lives of the Poets and Citizen Vince "Vonnegut's life was a fascinating tragicomedy worthy of his best novels, and I can hardly imagine a better teller of that tale than Shields. A superbly researched and above all very entertaining biography."-Blake Bailey, author of Cheever: A Life "And So It Goes will entrance lovers of Kurt Vonnegut's fiction. With the blessing of Vonnegut himself and help from scores of Vonnegut's friends, relations, and acquaintances, Charles J. Shields gives us a distinguished, fearless, page-turner of a biography.-Carol Sklenicka, author of Raymond Carver: A Writer's Life "Vonnegut once said that he kept losing and regaining his equilibrium, and Shields dexterously captures the ups and downs of Vonnegut's life and work in this definitive biography."-Henry L. Carrigan, Bookpage, Vonnegut once said that he kept losing and regaining his equilibrium, and Shields dexterously captures the ups and downs of Vonnegut's life and work in this definitive biography., "An incisive, gossipy page-turner of a biography." Janet Maslin, The New York Times "An engaging, surprising and empathetic page-turner"- Deirdre Donahue, USA Today "The first truly exacting look into the life of a man who has fascinated so many."- Esquire Magazine "Engaging and well paced, the book fills in the reality behind Vonnegut's work"-Christen Aragoni, The American Prospect "This first authorized biography probes both Vonnegut's creative struggles and family life, detailing his transition from 'the bowery of the book world' to counterculture icon. Shields delivers a vivid recreation of Vonnegut's ghastly WWII experiences as a POW during the Dresden firebombing that became the basis for Slaughterhouse-Five . . . . Tragedies and triumphs are contrasted throughout, along with an adroit literary analysis that highlights obscure or overlooked influences on Vonnegut. . . . With access to more than 1,500 letters, Shields conducted hundreds of interviews to produce this engrossing, definitive biography."- PW , Starred Review "This book fills a much-needed gap, since very little seems to be known about the late Kurt Vonnegut, despite his immense popularity over almost five decades. Shields did a thorough job, interviewing Vonnegut and his friends and family, and examining many letters. Vonnegut was one of the most influential authors of the late twentieth century, and this biography is essential reading."-Anis Shivani, Huffington Post "[A] thorough and excellent new biography." Tim Gebhart, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer "The richest portrait of Vonnegut to date."-Craig Fehrman, Indianapolis Monthly "A triumphant biography: scrupulously researched and powerfully written, compassionate, clear-eyed and compelling. Charles J. Shields manages a rare feat: offering a lucid assessment of Kurt Vonnegut's literary life alongside the moving tale of an American original and a misunderstood hero. From his harrowing survival of the Dresden firebombing through forty years of culture clashes and domestic battles, here is the Vonnegut we all thought we knew and the man we never got to see, a writer of searing wit and wisdom, of driving ambition, and perhaps most of all, of aching loneliness."-Jess Walker, author of The Financial Lives of the Poets and Citizen Vince "Vonnegut's life was a fascinating tragicomedy worthy of his best novels, and I can hardly imagine a better teller of that tale than Shields. A superbly researched and above all very entertaining biography."-Blake Bailey, author of Cheever: A Life "And So It Goes will entrance lovers of Kurt Vonnegut's fiction. With the blessing of Vonnegut himself and help from scores of Vonnegut's friends, relations, and acquaintances, Charles J. Shields gives us a distinguished, fearless, page-turner of a biography.-Carol Sklenicka, author of Raymond Carver: A Writer's Life "Vonnegut once said that he kept losing and regaining his equilibrium, and Shields dexterously captures the ups and downs of Vonnegut's life and work in this definitive biography."-Henry L. Carrigan, Bookpage, This book fills a much-needed gap, since very little seems to be known about the late Kurt Vonnegut, despite his immense popularity over almost five decades. Shields did a thorough job, interviewing Vonnegut and his friends and family, and examining many letters. Vonnegut was one of the most influential authors of the late twentieth century, and this biography is essential reading., Provide[s] a definitive and disturbing account of the late author, whose ambition and talent transformed him from an obscure science fiction writer to a countercultural icon., Vonnegut's life was a fascinating tragicomedy worthy of his best novels, and I can hardly imagine a better teller of that tale than Shields. A superbly researched and above all very entertaining biography., "An incisive, gossipy page-turner of a biography." -- Janet Maslin, The New York Times "An engaging, surprising and empathetic page-turner" -- Deirdre Donahue, USA Today "The first truly exacting look into the life of a man who has fascinated so many." -- Esquire Magazine "Engaging and well paced, the book fills in the reality behind Vonnegut's work" -- Christen Aragoni, The American Prospect "This first authorized biography probes both Vonnegut's creative struggles and family life, detailing his transition from 'the bowery of the book world' to counterculture icon. Shields delivers a vivid recreation of Vonnegut's ghastly WWII experiences as a POW during the Dresden firebombing that became the basis for Slaughterhouse-Five . . . . Tragedies and triumphs are contrasted throughout, along with an adroit literary analysis that highlights obscure or overlooked influences on Vonnegut. . . . With access to more than 1,500 letters, Shields conducted hundreds of interviews to produce this engrossing, definitive biography." -- PW, Starred Review "This book fills a much-needed gap, since very little seems to be known about the late Kurt Vonnegut, despite his immense popularity over almost five decades. Shields did a thorough job, interviewing Vonnegut and his friends and family, and examining many letters. Vonnegut was one of the most influential authors of the late twentieth century, and this biography is essential reading." -- Anis Shivani, Huffington Post "Provide[s] a definitive and disturbing account of the late author, whose ambition and talent transformed him from an obscure science fiction writer to a countercultural icon." -- Steve Almond, The Boston Globe "[A] thorough and excellent new biography." -- Tim Gebhart, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer "The richest portrait of Vonnegut to date." -- Craig Fehrman, Indianapolis Monthly "[A] balanced, well-researched study of a flawed yet powerfully imaginative artist." -- Ariel Gonzalez, Miami Herald Tribune "A triumphant biography: scrupulously researched and powerfully written, compassionate, clear-eyed and compelling. Charles J. Shields manages a rare feat: offering a lucid assessment of Kurt Vonnegut's literary life alongside the moving tale of an American original and a misunderstood hero. From his harrowing survival of the Dresden firebombing through forty years of culture clashes and domestic battles, here is the Vonnegut we all thought we knew and the man we never got to see, a writer of searing wit and wisdom, of driving ambition, and perhaps most of all, of aching loneliness." -- Jess Walker, author of The Financial Lives of the Poets and Citizen Vince "Vonnegut's life was a fascinating tragicomedy worthy of his best novels, and I can hardly imagine a better teller of that tale than Shields. A superbly researched and above all very entertaining biography." -- Blake Bailey, author of Cheever: A Life "And So It Goes will entrance lovers of Kurt Vonnegut's fiction. With the blessing of Vonnegut himself and help from scores of Vonnegut's friends, relations, and acquaintances, Charles J. Shields gives us a distinguished, fearless, page-turner of a biography." -- Carol Sklenicka, author of Raymond Carver: A Writer's Life "Vonnegut once said that he kept losing and regaining his equilibrium, and Shields dexterously captures the ups and downs of Vonnegut's life and work in this definitive biography." -- Henry L. Carrigan, Bookpage, This first authorized biography probes both Vonnegut's creative struggles and family life, detailing his transition from 'the bowery of the book world' to counterculture icon. Shields delivers a vivid recreation of Vonnegut's ghastly WWII experiences as a POW during the Dresden firebombing that became the basis for Slaughterhouse-Five . . . . Tragedies and triumphs are contrasted throughout, along with an adroit literary analysis that highlights obscure or overlooked influences on Vonnegut. . . . With access to more than 1,500 letters, Shields conducted hundreds of interviews to produce this engrossing, definitive biography., A triumphant biography: scrupulously researched and powerfully written, compassionate, clear-eyed and compelling. Charles J. Shields manages a rare feat: offering a lucid assessment of Kurt Vonnegut's literary life alongside the moving tale of an American original and a misunderstood hero. From his harrowing survival of the Dresden firebombing through forty years of culture clashes and domestic battles, here is the Vonnegut we all thought we knew and the man we never got to see, a writer of searing wit and wisdom, of driving ambition, and perhaps most of all, of aching loneliness.
Dewey Decimal
813.54
Synopsis
From the author of Mockingbird --the first authoritative biography of Kurt Vonnegut Jr., a writer who forever altered American literature In 2006, Charles Shields reached out to Kurt Vonnegut in a letter asking for his endorsement for a planned biography. The first response was no ("A most respectful demurring by me for the excellent writer Charles J. Shields, who offered to be my biographer"). Unwilling to take no for an answer, propelled by a passion for his subject, and already deep into his research, Shields wrote again and this time, to his delight, the answer came back: "O.K." For the next year--a year that ended up being Vonnegut's last--Shields had unprecedented access to Vonnegut and his letters. While millions know Vonnegut as a counterculture guru, antiwar activist, and satirist of American culture, few outside his closest friends and family knew the full arc of his extraordinary life. And So It Goes changes that, painting the portrait of a man who made friends easily but always felt lonely, sold millions of books but never felt appreciated, and described himself as a humanist but fought with humanity at large. As a former public relations man, Vonnegut crafted his image carefully--the avuncular, curly-haired humorist--though he admitted, "I myself am a work of fiction." The extremely wide and overwhelmingly positive review coverage for And So It Goes has been nothing less than extraordinary and confirm it as the definitive biography of Kurt Vonnegut.
LC Classification Number
PS3572.O5Z855 2012
Item description from the seller
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- i***i (233)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseItem, as described, and beautifully packaged. A+++ It did arrive on time, based an outside estimated date, but between DHL Express and UniUni at my end, there was totally poor tracking info. On May 28, 2025, I received an EBay notification the item was out for delivery. When it wasn’t received, I contacted UniUni for an update, and received absolutely no response. Then today, June 1, 2025, almost 4.5 days later, the item was delivered “out of the blue”. I don’t fault the seller, but the carrier.
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Seller feedback (1,206)
- i***i (233)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseItem, as described, and beautifully packaged. A+++ It did arrive on time, based an outside estimated date, but between DHL Express and UniUni at my end, there was totally poor tracking info. On May 28, 2025, I received an EBay notification the item was out for delivery. When it wasn’t received, I contacted UniUni for an update, and received absolutely no response. Then today, June 1, 2025, almost 4.5 days later, the item was delivered “out of the blue”. I don’t fault the seller, but the carrier.
- i***r (8952)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseSeller combined shipping on multiple book orders, shipped quickly, and packaged books very carefully for safe shipping! All books arrived as described and as per multiple photos provided by Seller. Thank You So Much! I Highly Recommend This Seller!
- h***s (224)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseA fantastic seller!!! Everything arrived as described and extremely well-packed! Great communication! Fast shipping! A+++++++