Books

An unbelievable association copy of Heller's own stage adaptation of his most enduring novel, here inscribed over two pages to Alan Arkin, the actor who played Yossarian in the original movie adaptation. The play based on Catch-22 was written by Heller and first performed in 1971; this version is illustrated throughout with stills from the original cast performance by the John Drew Repertory Company in Long Island, New York. Alan Arkin's son Adam "was cast as all five young men who die" (p. xxiii). Heller's preface, which fills seventeen pages, relates the overall theme of the novel (and play)?"unchecked uses of authority in an atmosphere of war"?to what would be described today as the weaponization of the justice system; in this case against Nixon's opponents. Heller writes about Muhammad Ali, Daniel Berrigan, Dr. Benjamin Spock, Bobby Seale, the Chicago Seven, Daniel Ellsberg, and Angela Davis. That is the context for his inscription: "To Alan Arkin: All the time, you thought it was about war, didn't you? And now it turns out to be about Watergate?at least this does. Look at p. 54 for example, and tell me if you don't think Richard Shithouse Nixon gives a finer performance of Colonel Cathcart than he has ever given as himself. Best wishes and regards. Joe Heller. 5/12/73." xxxiii, 228 pages. First edition (states "First Delecorte printing"). A very good to near fine copy (a bit sunstruck along the top edge of the cloth) in a very good dust jacket, with a couple of short tears and some denting at the top of the spine. Still, given the inscription, is there a better copy?.

Catch-22 is a satirical war novel by American author Joseph Heller, first published in 1961. The novel is set during World War II, from 1942 to 1944, and follows Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier, and the other airmen in the camp, who attempt to maintain their sanity while fulfilling their service requirements so that they can return home.