The author Kurt Vonnegut has died. He was eighty-four years old. Vonnegut authored at least nineteen novels including “Slaughterhouse-Five” and “Cat’s Cradle.” In recent years, Vonnegut was a fierce critic of the Bush administration and a columnist for the magazine In These Times. [includes rush transcript]

The author Kurt Vonnegut has died. He was eighty-four years old. Vonnegut authored at least nineteen novels including “Slaughterhouse-Five” and “Cat’s Cradle.” In recent years, Vonnegut was a fierce critic of the Bush administration and a columnist for the magazine In These Times.

In June of last year, Kurt Vonnegut spoke at the eighty-fifth birthday celebration for the peace activist Father Dan Berrigan.

• Kurt Vonnegut, speaking in June 2006.

In February 2003, Vonnegut took part in a reading of Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove’s book, “Voices of a People’s Hisory of the United States.” Vonnegut read Mark Twain’s response to Theodre Roosevelt’s congratulating the commanding general in the 1906 massacre in the Philippines.

• Kurt Vonnegut, speaking in February 2003.