Kurt Vonnegut

Born in Indianapolis on November 11, 1922, Kurt Vonnegut served in the U.S. Army during World War II and survived the bombing of Dresden as a prisoner of war, an experience that later shaped Slaughterhouse-Five. Before becoming a full-time writer, he worked in journalism and public relations, experiences that helped sharpen his clear, conversational style.

Vonnegut became one of the most widely read American authors of his era with books including Cat’s Cradle, Breakfast of Champions, and Slaughterhouse-Five. His fiction mixes dark comedy, speculative ideas, and moral urgency, often questioning war, technology, bureaucracy, and the strange habits of modern society.

Even when his stories are surreal, his voice feels direct and personal. That mix of wit, sadness, and compassion has kept his work alive for generations of readers, and he remains a defining figure in American literature.