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If This Isn't Nice, What Is?

By: Kurt Vonnegut
Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins, Scott Brick
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Publisher's summary

Master storyteller and satirist Kurt Vonnegut was one of the most in-demand commencement speakers of his time. For each occasion, Vonnegut’s words were unfailingly unique, insightful, and witty, and they stayed with audience members long after graduation.

As edited by Dan Wakefield, this book reads like a narrative in the unique voice that made Vonnegut a hero to readers and listeners of all ages. At times hilarious, razor-sharp, freewheeling, and deeply serious, these reflections are ideal for anyone undergoing what Vonnegut would call their "long-delayed puberty ceremony" - marking the passage from student to full-time adult.

This book makes the perfect gift for high school or college graduates - or for parents and grandparents who remember Vonnegut fondly and want to connect with him in a new context.

©2013 Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Copyright Trust (P)2013 Audible, Inc.
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Editorial reviews

This selection of commencement speeches from legendary author Kurt Vonnegut will prove a thoroughly comforting companion for recent graduates as they move out into the so-called real world and attempt to determine their own place within that often overwhelming realm.

Vonnegut's advice, dispensed at countless graduation ceremonies over the course of his life, is by turns moving and comical, indelibly stamped with his unique outlook on the world, and voice actors Kevin T. Collins and Scott Brick take great pains to capture his distinctive authorial tone in their performance. Vonnegut is sometimes sardonic, sometimes sarcastic, sometimes straightforward, but he is always empathetic, a fact well-reflected in Collins and Brick's thoughtful narration of this inspiring work.

Featured Article: 70+ Unforgettable Kurt Vonnegut Quotes


Kurt Vonnegut had an extremely productive career, penning everything from plays to short stories to full-length nonfiction. Drawing on his experiences of war, life, and love, Vonnegut’s powerful messages were delivered so creatively—and often quite satirically—ensuring that they stood the test of time. This assortment of Kurt Vonnegut quotes is just a glimpse of the gems found throughout the works of this great author.

What listeners say about If This Isn't Nice, What Is?

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Wonderfully. quotable

Great ideas for new grads and also for anyone who is thoughtful about life. I'll listen tho this again and again because of this isn't nice, what is?

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Very Good, Highly Enjoyable

This is a very good book, I really enjoyed it, Recommend for the young and old alike, a collection of commencement speeches from Kurt Vonnegut, There are fourteen speeches in all (11 at colleges; the Indiana Civil Liberties Union speech; the speech when he received the Carl Sandburg Award; and the anti-war speech he gave months after the publication of Slaughterhouse-Five. Kevin T. Collins and especially Scott Brick were awesome as narrators.

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ATTN YOUNG PEOPLE

ALL young people and those who feel lost should listen to this collection of speeches. Kurt (and his uncle Alex) remind us to treasure life each day for the small things, like lemonade in the shade. He reminds us to appreciate each day as it comes and remember to smile.

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Words to live by.

So simple, but so important. I need to read or listen to this from time to time to remind myself both that things are pretty nice sometimes, and that there’s a lot of work to be done.

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Inspirational!

As always, the words of Kurt Vonnegut provide inspiration, wisdom and humour. I've listened to this audiobook several times over, and I'm sure I'll listen to it several times more.

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We love you Kurt!

An Indianapolisonian myself, and an avid skeptic and bad person, these kind and cruel words are well regarded.

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Kurt Vonnegut Jr fine philosopher

among the best people on the planet for a young person to listen to as you can tell young people anything that's both the beauty and the curse of youth... God you'd do it so differently if only you knew, but would it have been as much fun... almost certainly no. in any case, even knowing you can't tell youth anything and even though on the whole I guess I suppose that's the way it should be if anybody could tell Eliana anything it would be Kurt Vonnegut Jr I'll tell you what man this in his voice might reach them I know you said other similar things elsewhere in interviews they have it all together like this would be fantastic if we only had it in his own words...


still totally worth it and at least listen a little young folk to one of the greatest American men of letters the United States has ever had the blind luck to produce... cause they sure couldn't--to say nothing if wouldn't wouldn't wouldn't a million times wouldn't--produced is they'd have bad word tried till their bad wording bad word fell off and they shoved it up their bad word... bad wording bad word...

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What a wonderful speech.

I wish this could have been my graduation speech. I will hold it near and take this advice forward to whomever I may encounter.

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Instantly accessible Vonnegut wisdom

I love Vonnegut’s books but this collection of speeches might be an even better way to start your exploration of his wit and wisdom.

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a latter day mark Twain

the book leaves you with lingering pleasant feeling that you were witness to some sort of revelation.

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