"Slaughterhouse Five" by Vonnegut

When one begins to analyze a military novel it is important to first look at the historical context in which the book was written. On the nights of February 13-14 in 1944 the city of Dresden, Germany was subjected to one of the worst air attacks in the history of man. By the end of the bombing 135,000 to 250,000 people had been killed by the combined forces of the United States and the United Kingdom. Dresden was …

… does more than that. It's underlying theme is not just against the atrocities of Dresden but against all War. Vonnegut's unorthodox stylistic approach which lacks any sequential path, draws the reader deeper into the Tralfamadorian world. Although Vonnegut's character was able to reconcile his life to some extent, Vonnegut was not. Vonnegut was never able to answer his own 'Why me?' but in truth a broader question exists 'Why any of us?'