SOON TO BE A MAJOR TV SERIES Discover Joseph Heller's hilarious and tragic satire on military madness, and the tale of one man's efforts to survive it. It's the closing months of World War II and Yossarian has never been closer to death. Stationed in an American bomber squadron off the coast of Italy, each flight mission introduces him to thousands of people determined to kill him. But the enemy above is not Yossarian's problem - it is his own army intent on keeping him airborne, and the maddening 'Catch-22' that allows ...
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SOON TO BE A MAJOR TV SERIES Discover Joseph Heller's hilarious and tragic satire on military madness, and the tale of one man's efforts to survive it. It's the closing months of World War II and Yossarian has never been closer to death. Stationed in an American bomber squadron off the coast of Italy, each flight mission introduces him to thousands of people determined to kill him. But the enemy above is not Yossarian's problem - it is his own army intent on keeping him airborne, and the maddening 'Catch-22' that allows for no possibility of escape. 'The greatest satirical work in the English language' Observer
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Seller's Description:
First edition of one of the most significant novels of the twentieth century. Octavo, original blue cloth. Boldly signed by Joseph Heller on the title page. Additionally signed by author Kurt Vonnegut on the front free endpaper, who has added a self-caricature. Like Catch-22, by Vonnegut's friend, Joseph Heller, Slaughterhouse-Five was a World War II novel embraced by opponents of the Vietnam War, linking a so-called "good war" to the unpopular conflict of the 1960s and '70s. In 2005, six years after Heller's death, Vonnegut published a short poem in The New Yorker with the title 'Joe Heller. ' The poem recalled a conversation Vonnegut and Heller shared at a party hosted by a billionaire on Shelter Island. In a few verses, Vonnegut expresses his admiration for the late Heller and his friend's philosophy about the meaning of life. The two agree that gaining knowledge has been more substantive than gaining wealth throughout both of their lives. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing. Jacket design by Paul Bacon. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A unique example. "Catch-22, Joseph Heller's first and best-known novel, depicts a military world turned upside down. In Heller's World War II, a supplies manager has more power than a general, and anyone seeking a discharge on the grounds of insanity is declared sane enough to keep on fighting. When the novel appeared in 1961, World War II veterans appreciated its satire of the military bureaucracy and chaos of war. By the mid-1960's, it had become a cult classic among counterculture activists for its biting indictments of war. Many consider the novel to be the definitive statement of the modern antiwar position. The phrase 'Catch-22', symbolizing the absurdity of all institutional logic, has become a permanent part of our language" (NYPL Books of the Century 177). Basis for the 1970 film directed by Mike Nichols. The cast included Alan Arkin, Bob Balaban, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin, Olimpia Carlisi, Art Garfunkel, Jack Gilford, Charles Grodin, Bob Newhart, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Martin Sheen, Jon Voight, and Orson Welles.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Fine jacket. Inscribed by Author(s) First Edition, First Printing INSCRIBED and SIGNED by Joseph Heller. A stunning copy. This ORIGINAL dustjacket is vibrant in color with NO fading. This unrestored first issue dustjacket has the $5.95 printed price present. The book is in wonderful shape and appears UNREAD. The binding is tight with NO cocking or leaning with slight wear to the boards. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. A magnificent copy SIGNED by the author in collector's condition. Includes a custom clamshell slipcase for preservation. We buy SIGNED Heller First Editions.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Fine jacket. Signed by Author(s) First Edition, First Printing with the words "FIRST PRINTING" printed on the copyright page. This copy is authentically SIGNED by Joseph Heller. A spectacular dustjacket that is vibrant in color with a hint of wear to the spine ends. This original FIRST ISSUE DUSTJACKET has the $5.95 price present with no chips or pieces missing. The book is in excellent shape. The binding is tight, and the boards are crisp with slight wear to the panels. The pages are exceptionally clean with no writing, marks or bookplates in the book. Overall, a beautiful copy of this TRUE FIRST EDITION SIGNED by the author housed in a custom clamshell slipcase for preservation. We buy Joseph Heller First Editions.
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First edition of Heller's classic first book. Octavo, original blue cloth. Presentation coy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Albert Raman, Best wishes to you. Joseph Heller 3/20/80 New York." The recipient was a lawyer and well-known book collector. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing. Jacket design by Paul Bacon. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional example with noted provenance. "Catch-22, Joseph Heller's first and best-known novel, depicts a military world turned upside down. In Heller's World War II, a supplies manager has more power than a general, and anyone seeking a discharge on the grounds of insanity is declared sane enough to keep on fighting. When the novel appeared in 1961, World War II veterans appreciated its satire of the military bureaucracy and chaos of war. By the mid-1960's, it had become a cult classic among counterculture activists for its biting indictments of war. Many consider the novel to be the definitive statement of the modern antiwar position. The phrase 'Catch-22', symbolizing the absurdity of all institutional logic, has become a permanent part of our language" (NYPL Books of the Century 177). Basis for the 1970 film directed by Mike Nichols. The cast included Alan Arkin, Bob Balaban, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin, Olimpia Carlisi, Art Garfunkel, Jack Gilford, Charles Grodin, Bob Newhart, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Martin Sheen, Jon Voight, and Orson Welles.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Near Fine jacket. Signed by Author(s) First Edition, First Printing SIGNED by Joseph Heller on the title page. A wonderful copy of this TRUE FIRST EDITION with the words "FIRST PRINTING" printed on the copyright page. This First Issue dustjacket is vibrant in color and has the $5.95 printed price present on the front flap. The book is in excellent condition. The binding is tight with NO cocking or leaning with minor wear to the boards. The pages are clean with NO marks or bookplates in the book. A lovely copy SIGNED by the author in collector's condition.
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Near fine. Rebound in full blue morocco, raised bands, a.e.g. N.Y. : Simon & Schuster, 1961. Fine. Very early presentation copy, dated Sept. 11, 1961-"To Milton Perlman-With all good wishes, and sincere gratitude for your help and encouragement in these pre-publication days. Joe Heller".
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Very Good in Very Good jacket. 443 pp. First edition, first printing stated. Signed by Joseph Heller on the front free endpaper, with a lengthy inscription to a former owner. Bound in publisher's blue cloth with spine lettered in white. Very Good+ with bump to bottom edge of front board, thin strip of staining to bottom edge of covers from old-style dust jacket sleeve, spotting to front paste down and offsetting to rear endsheets. In a Very Good unclipped dust jacket, which exhibits edge wear, heavy waviness to the top portions and light, associated creasing. A nice copy for the first printing, signed by the author.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Near Fine jacket. Signed by Author(s) First Edition, First Printing SIGNED Joseph Heller on a tipped in page. An attractive dustjacket that is rich in color with slight wear to the edges. This original FIRST ISSUE DUSTJACKET has the $5.95 price present with no chips or pieces missing. The book is in nice shape. The binding is tight, and the boards are fresh with slight wear to the edges. The pages are clean with no writing, marks or bookplates in the book. Overall, a wonderful copy of this TRUE FIRST EDITION SIGNED by the author.
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Seller's Description:
Very good in very good dust jacket. Signed by author. 443 p. 22 cm. Simon and Schuster, 1961. Hardcover. Book Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. First Edition, First Printing SIGNED Joseph Heller on the ffp. An attractive dustjacket that is rich in color with slight wear to the edges. This original FIRST ISSUE DUSTJACKET has the $5.95 price present with no chips or pieces missing. The book is in nice shape. The binding is tight, and the boards are good with slight wear to the edges. The pages are clean with no writing, marks or bookplates in the book. The first 3 pages have a 1 inch tear at the lower right corner. Overall, a very nice copy of this TRUE FIRST EDITION SIGNED by the author. Signed by Author
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Fine jacket. First Edition, First Printing with words "FIRST PRINTING" printed on the copyright page. A beautiful copy. This First Issue dustjacket is rich in color with some repair. The book is in nice shape. The binding is tight with minor wear to the edges. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. A sharp copy of this true first edition with the ORIGINAL dustjacket.
One thing I hate in a work of fiction is a lot of "telling" over "action" but with Catch-22 I figured I had to be missing something that it was ME - after all, it is regarded as one of the greatest novels ever. Now, I understand that there are different styles when it comes to telling vs showing but this book so far has been ridiculous and I now know why I have tried 3 times unsuccessfully to get past the first few chapters. I am going to fight my way through it this time but not happily because I have been told for so many years by people whose literary opinions I respect that Catch 22 is the bee's knees. At some point, maybe the next chapter, or the chapter after that, I will get to the action. I know the story has action to it - I know there's a plot, because it's been made into a fine movie. And I know that some authors tell a little more than others and some readers enjoy a little telling with their action. But I have no idea what Heller is up to in the first 5 chapters of Catch 22. I've been told that the book is hilarious but if it is, it must be later on. The movie is very funny so that's what I'm hoping for. I normally would wait till I finish a book to review it but I am making a special exception for Catch 22 because so far it has been agonizingly boring.
Redleg21
Apr 12, 2016
Better than expected
The copy I received was better than expected. This book is a classic and a must to under stand the origin and meaning of "Catch-22" so commonly used in our language today.
David W
Aug 31, 2014
Sane insanity
Once you have read this book, one realises that the widespread use of "Catch 22" to describe a situation so often; could not be further from the truth of the definition as described in this book.
Read it, and enjoy.
Dr S
Nov 21, 2013
A Classic
There is nothing to review. A Great book and a Great writer. I lent my copy and never got it back. No bookcase should be without one and so I have replaced mine. It should be read every three years on a regular basis for its humour and insight into life and human frailty.
Jack W
May 2, 2013
Heller's Book is a classic
Joseph Heller only wrote one book worth reading, but it is very good and a joy to read. My only paperbac k copy is long worn out and I had to have a good hard copy for my library.
