Books like The Brothers Vonnegut by Ginger Gail Strand

The Brothers Vonnegut follows the parallel paths of Kurt and Bernard Vonnegut in the mid‑1950s. Kurt writes press releases for GE’s PR department in Schenectady, while Bernard labors in the company’s research facility—nicknamed the "House of Magic"—on cutting‑edge weather‑control experiments designed to turn arid lands green and aid farmers. Bernard’s cloud‑seeding work, involving silver‑iodide generators and dry ice, draws the attention of the U.S. military, which sees weather as a strategic asset after its decisive role in World War II. The army takes over the program, dubbing it Project Cirrus, and Bernard becomes uneasy about weaponizing his inventions and the unforeseen atmospheric effects that appear. Ginger Strand weaves this technological saga into a cultural history, exploring how Bernard’s moral dilemmas and the military’s ambitions influence Kurt’s developing writing style and, ultimately, his reputation as a leading American novelist.

First publish date: 2015