Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.Several decades after its initial publication, Catch-22 remains a cornerstone of American literature and one of the funniest—and most celebrated—novels of all time. In recent years it has been named to “best novels” lists by Time, Newsweek, the Modern Library, and the London Observer.Set in Italy during World War II, this is the story of the incomparable, malingering bombardier, Yossarian, a hero who is furious because thousands of people he has never met are trying to kill him. But his real problem is not the enemy—it is his own army, which keeps increasing the number of missions the men must fly to complete their service. Yet if Yossarian makes any attempt to excuse himself from the perilous missions he’s assigned, he’ll be in violation of Catch-22, a hilariously sinister bureaucratic rule: a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but if he makes a formal request to be removed from duty, he is proven sane and therefore ineligible to be relieved. Since its publication in 1961, no novel has matched Catch-22’s intensity and brilliance in depicting the brutal insanity of war.
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"This book is a classic, and also the basis for the saying "so here's my catch 22". I feel as though these sayings and their origins are lost on people when they don't know it's history. Phrases such as these, devil's advocate, etc, all have their origins somewhere, and if nothing more, it is important to know where these saying came from. Beyond that, this book is stellar. Advanced in thought, so reserved for higher, high school, grades, I will for sure use this in my future classroom when appropriate." — Katharine (5 out of 5 stars)
"This book is a classic, and also the basis for the saying "so here's my catch 22". I feel as though these sayings and their origins are lost on people when they don't know it's history. Phrases such as these, devil's advocate, etc, all have their origins somewhere, and if nothing more, it is important to know where these saying came from. Beyond that, this book is stellar. Advanced in thought, so reserved for higher, high school, grades, I will for sure use this in my future classroom when appropriate."
“To my mind, there have been two great American novels in the past fifty years. Catch-22 is one.”
“This novel is not merely the best American novel to come out of World War II; it is the best American novel that has come out of anywhere in years.”
“It’s the rock and roll of novels…There’s no book like it…Surprisingly powerful.”
“One of the greatest anti-war books ever written.”
“One of the most bitterly funny works in the language…Explosive, bitter, subversive, brilliant.”
" For my $$$ the funniest book ever written. I re-read it in 2005 as the Iraq War became the Iraq fiasco and realized Heller wasn't giving his reader a look back at WWII as much as he was predicting the future. "
" It's been a while since I read this book but I do remember this what a wonderful and funny book this was. Highly recommend. "
" I really want to like it... its just too much "
" I hated this book so much. I rarely will not finish a book but I just couldn't get into this one. Unbelievably confusing and yet not interesting, so boring. There were so many characters with long names, plot - if you could say it had one - hard to follow, it really is about nothing. "
" I read this book for a college course, and have re-read numerous times. It is irreverant, witty, smart, sad, sarcastic and has some of the most quoteable lines ever. A favorite and a must read. "
" I love, love, loved it. Hilarious and catchy. "
" excellent read if your into reading about a bunch of characters with their own perception of each other and the characteristics of such characters that would have you in stitches of laughter. Have read the book a few times when boredom has surfaced and its still as good as ever. "
" one of my favourites. not a typical war story but it has a great sense of humor, erotica and wonderfully describes how pointless war actually is. doc daneeka was my ever favourite "
" Great book. Fun, smart, well written. I would highly recommend it. "
" Funny .... But disturbing funny. Like a nervous laugh. "
" One of funniest and craziest books about war I've read. "
" This Book bring in view how there is always something to get in your way of succeeding, at least, until you find the loop-hold to get around it. "
" In high school my teacher read the Snowden part out loud and it affected me so much that it made me sick. I almost had to run out of the classroom. "
" Everyone needs a "war is hell" fix from time to time, yeah? Catch-22 certainly merits a re-read...lots to keep track of and I think I'd get even more out of it on a second go. "
" One of the few books when I liked the movie better than the book. Couldn't finish the audio version. "
" Loved the movie. The book has always left me cold. "
" Literally the best book ever written. Literally. A book not worth reading a 2nd time was never worth reading once. On my third time. "
" Got this book because of its popularity ! Couldn't stand it beyond 30 - 40 pages. Looks like a majority of people have liked this book a lot. May be its me..not the book !! "
" A must read for every fan of Franz Kafka. "
" Nah, not my type of books. Boring, confusing and very stupid. "
" Read this as a young man after seeing the movie. Loved its dark humour. "
" Another must read for everyone. I think everyone should read it. Most school kids do read it. "
" I cried when Nately died. Books that make me cry are usually superb. "
" funniest book that i have read in years period "
" Misogynistic drivel. Hated it. Perhaps it appeals to teenage boys that have been brought up to know no better??!! "
" This is one of my most favorite books. It's like Gogol' of America. After this book (+One Flew Over The Cuckoo Nest) I changed my attitude to American nation (to better). "
" Brilliantly funny anti-war book. I've read this several times over the years. "
" A bit too-streched towards the end, but still great reading. "
Joseph Heller (1923—1999) is the highly acclaimed author of Catch-22, a story loosely based on his own experiences during World War II. A bestseller, instant classic, and later feature film, Catch-22 secured his place in literary history. He later went on to write such novels as Good as Gold; God Knows; Picture This; Closing Time; and Portrait of an Artist, as an Old Man.
Jay O. Sanders began his acting career off-Broadway in Shakespearean roles then went on to appear in numerous films and television series, including Revolutionary Road, The Day after Tomorrow, and Kiss the Girls, based on the novel by James Patterson. He has narrated more than fifty audio books over the years, including the bestselling My Losing Season by Pat Conroy and Dean Koontz’s Dragon Tears and Mr. Murder. He also won six AudioFile Earphones Awards.
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