Slaughterhouse-Five

by Vonnegut, Kurt

Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death is a satirical novel by Kurt Vonnegut and is generally recognized as his most influential and popular work. Set around World War II, the novels tells of the story of Billy Pilgrim, a chaplain’s assistant, and his experiences and journeys through time. Billy sees when, how, and why he will die, resulting in his becoming fatalistic. The refrain “so it goes” is used when death, dying, and mortality occur and it appears in the book 106 times. Additionally, the novel can be read as semi-autobiographical: Vonnegut was present during the firebombing of Dresden, a central event in the novel.

Shortly after publication, Slaughterhouse-Five was nominated for two best novel recognitions, a Nebula Award and a Hugo Award, though it lost both to Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness. The Modern Library ranked Slaughterhouse-Five eighteenth on its list of the “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century in 1998. It is also listed in TIME’s “100 Best Novels” (since 1923).

However, mainly due to its irreverent tone and obscene content, Slaughterhouse-Five has been the subject of many attempts at censorship. The novel treats one of the most horrific massacres in European history—the firebombing of Dresden—with mock-serious humor and clear antiwar sentiment. It also depicts sexuality to a revolutionary extent as one of the first literary acknowledgments that homosexual men, referred to in the novel as “fairies,” were among the victims of the Nazi Holocaust. Thus, Slaughterhouse-Five is listed in the American Library Association's list of the “Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–1999” as well as the ALA's “Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000–2009.”

 The novel has been adapted more than a handful of times, most notably a film adaptation by the same name made in 1972. Although the film did poorly in the box office, it was critically praised, winning the Prix du Jury at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival.

First Edition Identification

Delacorte Press originally published Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death, in 1969. Bound in blue cloth, the 186-page first edition states “First Printing” on the copyright page. The dust jacket states the original price of $5.95 on the upper corner of the front flap.

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

Franklin Library published the first collector’s edition of Slaughterhouse-Five in 1978. This edition is bound in brown leather with gilt lettering and design work, silk end pages, and an attached page marker.

Reviews

Review this book!

On Oct 9, 2010, jarrod said
I very much enjoyed this novel. It was my first Vonnegut book, and have since ordered others.I felt it a very well written novel, with a great story, however made a horrible movie.

Available Copies

Slaughterhouse-Five
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Slaughterhouse-Five

by Vonnegut, Kurt

Condition
Used - fine
Jacket Condition
fine
Edition
50th anniversary
Published
2019
Binding
Hardcover
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Beverly Hills, California, USA
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$250.00

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Modern Library, 2019. 50th anniversary. hardcover. fine/fine. SIGNED 50th anniversary edition. Signed on bookplate attached to half-title page. Book and dust jacket fine.
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$250.00
Slaughterhouse-Five
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Slaughterhouse-Five

by Kurt Vonnegut

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
First Edition
Published
1969
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1
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Toronto , Ontario, CAN
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$325.00

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Stated Second Printing. In very good condition, clean and unmarked, previous owner's signed book plate at front end page, in a good dust jacket, chipped at spine ends and corners, $5.95 publisher's price intact on flap.
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$325.00
Slaughterhouse-Five
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Slaughterhouse-Five

by Kurt Vonnegut

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
first paperback
Published
1970
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1
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Scotia, New York, USA
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$45.00

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May 1970 Dell first mass market paperback edition. This 1970 Dell first printing is very uncommon. It was preceded in 1969 by a Delta trade paperback, and followed in 1971 by another printing of a Dell mass market paperback, that has a different cover. The 1971 mass market paperback was also labeled as a Dell first printing. I have no idea… Read more about this item
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$45.00
Slaughterhouse-Five
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Slaughterhouse-Five

by Kurt Vonnegut

Condition
Used - fine
Jacket Condition
very good
Edition
1st
Published
1969
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Beverly Hills, California, USA
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$1,600.00

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Seymour Lawrence Book/Delacorte Press, 1969. 1st. fine/very good. First edition, first printing stated on copyright page. Fine book in a very good dust jacket, closed tear at bottom of dj spine. Comes with copy of review slip and copy of photo of Vonnegut. Housed in a custom-made fold-out case.
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$1,600.00
Slaughterhouse-Five: Or The Children's Crusade, A Duty Dance With Death (25th Anniversary)

Slaughterhouse-Five: Or The Children's Crusade, A Duty Dance With Death (25th Anniversary)

by Vonnegut, Kurt

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Edition
25th Anniversary ed., First Edition, First Printing
Published
1994
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0385312083
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1
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Sewell, New Jersey, USA
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$99.99

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Book and dust jacket are in fine condition. The image provided is the actual book I'm offering for sale. No markings or damage to any pages. No sunning. No clips. Structure of the book (covers, binding, spine, hinges) is tight and free of damage. Page block is nice and square. Uncut fore edge. Additional photos will be provided upon… Read more about this item
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$99.99
Slaughterhouse-Five.
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Slaughterhouse-Five.

by VONNEGUT, Kurt.

Condition
Used
Published
1969
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1
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London, GBR
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$2,905.65

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New York: A Seymour Lawrence Book / Delacorte Press,, 1969. His most famous work First edition, first printing, of the author's best-known novel. Though infused with science fiction elements, the plot centres on the Allied bombing of Dresden in 1945, which Vonnegut himself experienced. "Amid the disenchantment surrounding the Vietnam War, this tale of the innocent but decidedly unheroic… Read more about this item
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$2,905.65
Slaughter House Five

Slaughter House Five

by Kurt Vonnegut

Condition
New
Binding
Paperback / softback
ISBN 10
0440180295
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Southport, Merseyside, GBR
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$11.35

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Paperback / softback. New.
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$11.35
Slaughterhouse-Five : or the Children's Crusade A Duty-Dance with Death
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Slaughterhouse-Five : or the Children's Crusade A Duty-Dance with Death

by Vonnegut, Kurt

Condition
Used - Very Good- in Good dust jacket
Edition
Book Club Edition
Published
1969
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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$65.00

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Delacorte Press. Very Good- in Good dust jacket. 1969. Book Club Edition. Hardcover. Wear to book corners. Wear and tears to repaired dustjacket edges including small missing chunks. Now protected in a clear mylar cover. ; SFBC Catalog ID: 1923. Cover design by Paul Bacon. Gutter code 26K on pg 187 indicates a later printing. Blue boards… Read more about this item
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$65.00
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SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE

by Kurt Vonnegut

Condition
Used - Fine
Edition
1st Edition
Published
1978
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Emerson, New Jersey, USA
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$305.00

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Description:
Franklin Library, 1978. Book. Fine. Hardcover. Signed by Author(s). 1st Edition. Signed by Vonnegut. "Special Message" by Vonnegut for this edition. Illustrated by Alan E. Cober. Leather bound, aeg, with satiin ribbon marker. .
Item Price
$305.00
Slaughterhouse Five: or the Children's Crusade, a Duty Dance with Death
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Slaughterhouse Five: or the Children's Crusade, a Duty Dance with Death

by Vonnegut, Kurt

Condition
Used - Very Good+
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
Uncorrected Proof
Published
1970
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1
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Portland, Oregon, USA
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$2,400.00

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Description:
London: Jonathan Cape, 1970. Uncorrected Proof. Very Good+/Very Good. Uncorrected proof of the first British edition in trial proof dustwrapper after a design by Brian Edwards, rejected by the publisher, with an image of a Tralfamadorian, and close by a man with gun in holster holding a sword. The words "PROOF ONLY Provisional Publication Date 19th February 1970"… Read more about this item
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$2,400.00
Slaughterhouse-Five
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Slaughterhouse-Five

by Vonnegut, Kurt

Condition
Used - fine
Jacket Condition
near fine
Edition
first
Published
1969
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Beverly Hills, California, USA
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Item Price
$2,900.00

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Description:
Seymour Lawrence Book/Delacorte Press, 1969. first. hardcover. fine/near fine. SIGNED first printing, as stated on copyright page. Signed on a tipped-in page. Book fine. Dust jacket near fine, price-clipped, some tanning. Housed in custom-made slipcase.
Item Price
$2,900.00
Slaughterhouse-Five
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Slaughterhouse-Five

by Vonnegut, Kurt

Condition
Used - fine
Jacket Condition
fine
Edition
first
Published
1969
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
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Beverly Hills, California, USA
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$3,800.00

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Description:
Seymour Lawrence Book/Delacorte Press, 1969. first. hardcover. fine/fine. SIGNED first printing, as stated on copyright page. Signed by author on tipped-in page. Book fine, former owner's name written on front free end paper, barely visible. Dust jacket fine, very faint tanning along top of flaps. Comes in paper covered custom slipcase.
Item Price
$3,800.00
Slaughterhouse-Five

Slaughterhouse-Five

by Vonnegut, Kurt

Condition
Used - Good
Jacket Condition
No Jacket
Edition
82nd Printing
Published
1996
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0440180295
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1
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Campbell River, British Columbia, CAN
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$16.95

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New York: Dell Publishing Company Inc., 1996. A nice solid copy of this much sought-after 82nd printing. Interiors are unmarked, light wear to the cover. Spine is creased. A solid copy of this classic tale.. 82nd Printing . Mass Market Paperback. Good/No Jacket. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.
Item Price
$16.95
Slaughterhouse-Five: Or The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death. A Novel. (25th Anniversary Edition)(Signed)
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Slaughterhouse-Five: Or The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death. A Novel. (25th Anniversary Edition)(Signed)

by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Near Fine
Edition
25th Anniversary Edition
Published
1994
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0385312083
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1
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Hendersonville, North Carolina, USA
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$1,000.00

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New York: Delacorte Press, 1994. 25th Anniversary Edition. hardcover. Fine/Near Fine. 8" x 5.25" x 0.75. Signed by the Author. Signed by Vonnegut on the first front end paper.<BR> Kurt Vonnegut was a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, and a graduate of Cornell. In World War II he was taken prisoner by the Germans at the Battle of the… Read more about this item
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$1,000.00
Slaughterhouse-Five

Slaughterhouse-Five

by Kurt Vonnegut

Condition
Used - Fair
Published
November 3, 1991
ISBN 10
0440180295
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1
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Cheverie, Nova Scotia, CAN
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$5.00

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A fair paperback copy, no spine creases or remainder marks. Some mild water damage to upper corner pages and some dog eared pages from being used as book marks. A nice reading copy
Item Price
$5.00
Slaughterhouse-Five : or the Children's Crusade A Duty-Dance with Death
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Slaughterhouse-Five : or the Children's Crusade A Duty-Dance with Death

by Vonnegut, Kurt

Condition
Used - Near Fine in Very Good+ dust jacket
Edition
Book Club Edition
Published
1969
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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$85.00

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Description:
Delacorte Press. Near Fine in Very Good+ dust jacket. 1969. Book Club Edition. Hardcover. Mild wear, including a one inch tear, to dustjacket. Now protected in a clear mylar cover. ; SFBC Catalog ID: 1923. Cover design by Paul Bacon. Gutter code 16M on pg 187 indicates a printing in 1971. Bright blue boards with black lettering… Read more about this item
Item Price
$85.00
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Slaughterhouse-five;: Or, The children's crusade: a duty-dance with death

by Vonnegut, Kurt

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Good
Edition
First Edition
Published
1970
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0224618016
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Johannesburg, ZAF
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$100.00

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Description:
Cape, 1970. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Good. 8x5x1. the jacket is a little edge worn and shelf rubbed. unfortunately tape was used underneath the jacket and the residue from this has left shadows on the jacket where the tape was. the book has a book exchange stamp mark and 2 ink prices (one crossed through). a little very… Read more about this item
Item Price
$100.00
Slaughterhouse-Five: A Novel (Modern Library 100 Best Novels)

Slaughterhouse-Five: A Novel (Modern Library 100 Best Novels)

by Vonnegut, Kurt

Condition
Used - Acceptable
Published
1999
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0385333846
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1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, USA
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$6.64

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Description:
Dial Press Trade Paperback, 1999. Paperback. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.64
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Slaughterhouse-Five: Or The Children's Crusade, A Duty Dance With Death (25th Anniversary)

by Kurt Vonnegut

Condition
Used: Good
Published
1994-02-01
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0385312083
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, USA
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Item Price
$19.97

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Description:
Delacorte Press, 1994-02-01. Hardcover. Used: Good.
Item Price
$19.97
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Slaughterhouse-Five: Reforming the Novel and the World

by Klinkowitz, Jerome

Condition
Used - Acceptable
Published
1989
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0805794107
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1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Item Price
$6.56

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Description:
Twayne Publishers, 1989. Hardcover. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.56