Catch-22

Joseph Heller

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Book Synopsis

"Catch-22" by Joseph Heller is a satirical novel set during World War II. It tells the story of Captain John Yossarian, an American bombardier trying to maintain his sanity amidst the chaos and illogical bureaucracy of the military. The title refers to a paradoxical bureaucratic rule that makes it impossible for soldiers to escape dangerous situations or be considered insane if they seek to. Yossarian and his fellow soldiers face absurd challenges, including the relentless pursuit of missions that often result in death, a corrupt and indifferent hierarchy, and the constant fear of losing their lives. Heller’s brilliant use of dark humor and absurdity reveals the insanity of war and questions the logic of the institutions that perpetuate it. Through a series of interconnected vignettes and flashbacks, the novel explores the themes of trauma, mortality, loyalty, and the fragility of the human spirit. It confronts readers with the absurdity of war and the inherent contradictions that accompany it, leaving them pondering the true meaning of courage, morality, and human nature. Heller’s masterful storytelling, comic style, and biting commentary make "Catch-22" a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers, reminding us of the inherent absurdities and paradoxes present in our own society.

Explore More Books

See All
Little Brother
Dream Yoga
The Language Instinct
Breath
The Confessions
Maybe You Should Talk To Someone
Hatching Twitter
The German Generals Talk
Catch-22
Your Symphony of Selves
Quality of Earnings
Stuff and Nonsense
The Fish That Ate The Whale
Paradigms
Very Good, Jeeves
Going Infinite
Self Reliance
Race Against The Machine
Acts of Love
Mountains Beyond Mountains
Born to Run
Without Their Permission
Childhood and Society
Empire of the Summer Moon
Jesse Livermore - Boy Plunger
The Big Ship and Little Digger
Writing Down The Bones
Discourses on Livy
Biography of the Dollar
What You Do Is Who You Are
Irresistible
The Experience Machine
99% True
The New New Thing
The Butterfly Defect
In Search of Lost Time
The Greatness Mindset
V for Vendetta
An Unquiet Mind
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
Goethe’s Poems and Aphorisms
The Gray Lady Winked
Winning
An American Marriage
Zen Mind, Beginners Mind
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Essays and Lectures
The Myth of the Rational Voter
The Master Algorithm
The Cultural Cold War
Super Maker
Start With Why
Trick Mirror
The Marked Children
Becoming Steve Jobs
DeMark Indicators
A Walk in the Woods
Dark Towers
Bravey
Slaughterhouse-Five
The Mind Doesn't Work That Way
The Man Who Knew Infinity
The Journey of Crazy Horse
On Intelligence
An Everyone Culture
When I Say No, I Feel Guilty
The Terminal List
Three Scientists and Their Gods
Eat a Peach
The Intelligent Investor
Dealers of Lightning
Food of the Gods
Monsoon
The Wright Brothers
The Discovery of France
Meditation Station
The Harmless People
Dear Chairman: Boardroom Battles and the Rise of Shareholder Activism
Mastering The Market Cycle
Welcome to Your Brain
The Subtle Knife
Conspiracy of Fools
Poor Economics
Hidden Repression
Rework
Black Flags
A Brief History of Time
Teddy and Booker T.
The Infinite Game
When
Physics from Finance
Elon Musk
Olives
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
Political Tribes
Turn the Ship Around!
Fiasco
The Coaching Habit
Taxes Have Consequences
The Blank Slate