The Book starts out with Vonnegut, appearing as a character in the first chapter to tell about the story he is writing and about the events that led to the novel. He informs the reader that the story is based mainly on real events, but it also contains fictionalized accounts. He reveals that he has been obsessed for years with writing a book about the bombing of Dresden, but he has found the task very difficult. Vonnegut enlisted the help of one of his friends, Bernard V. O'Hare, to help him remember the events that occurred in the war, for the two of them fought together. He assures O'Hare's wife, Mary, that his book is not a glamorized version of the war. She tries to persuade him to name the book The Children's Crusade, to show its non-violent philosophy. …
