A collection of essays, articles, and stories by the prominent 20th century American author,. as he attempts "to speak directly and truthfully about real life". Contents: "Science Fiction", "Brief Encounters on the Inland Waterway", "Hello, Star Vega", "Teaching the Unteachable", "Yes, We Have No Nirvanas", "Fortitude", "There's a Maniac Loose Out There", "Excelsior! We're Going to the Moon! Excelsior!", "Address to the American Physical Society", "Good Missiles, Good Manners, Good Night", "Why They Read Hesse", "Oversexed in Indianapolis", "The Mysterious Madame Blavatsky", "Biafra: A People Betrayed", "Address to Graduating lass at Bennington College, 1970", "Torture and Blubber", "Address to the National Institute of Arts and Letters, 1971", "Reflections on My Own Death", "In a Manner that Must Shame God Himself", "Thinking Unthinkable, Speaking Unspeakable", "Address at Rededication of Whaton College Library, 1973", "Invite Rita Rait to America!", "Address to P.E.N. Conference in Stockholm, 1973", "A Political Disease", and "Playboy Interview".