Heller tells the story of the dissolution of a generation; those who not only risked their lives in World War Two, but managed to survive to the final page of Catch-22 and for whom it is now "closing time". The well of post-war euphoria has run dry, leaving a forgotten generation that is now all but extinct. ... Thompson's surveys the war-zone that was the Nixon-McGovern election with brutal journalistic vigour. ... It is also similar to Breakfast of Champions tone and Closing Time's surrealism near the book's end, as Thompson's book is littered with fantastical set-pieces ...

• Word Count: 4213
• Approx Pages: 17

He used his own military experience from World War II to write this particular book. ... His task continued until the Russians came and the war ended. ... In chapter one Vonnegut writes in his own voice, introducing his experience of the firebombing of Dresden in World War II while he was a prisoner of war and his attempt for many years to complete a book on the subject. ... Vonnegut's anti-war stance only adds to the difficulty, since (as a filmmaker acquaintance remarks to him) writing a book against war would prevent war as effectively as writing a book against glaciers would prevent ...

• Word Count: 5323
• Approx Pages: 21
• Grade Level: High School

The parts dealing with World War II are most closely associated with actual events. ... After the war, the narrator went home, married, and had kids, all of whom are grown now. ... Wars would look good, and we would be sure to have more of them. ... Now, he presents us with his war book. ... In his own mind, Weary narrates the war stories he will one day tell. ...

• Word Count: 7795
• Approx Pages: 31
• Grade Level: High School