Books

Signed Franklin Press edition of this dark satire on the patriotic narrative of American triumph in World War II, in the original box. A supreme example of black comedy in 20th-century war fiction, CATCH-22 emphasizes the existential disillusionment of soldiers witnessing their companion's deaths: graveyard humor taken to the same extremes as warfare. CATCH-22 has gone on to become a modern classic, familiar even to those who haven't read it through its influence on our linguistic culture: "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). Contains a new introduction by Heller penned specifically for this edition, as well as original illustrations by Robert Andrew Parker. Rare this complete. 8.25'' x 5.25''. Original blue guilt leather. All edges gilt. Silk moire endpapers. 551 pages. Illustrations by Robert Andrew Parker. In original box, with all original inserts (including book support), and Franklin Library "Notes from the Editors" booklet. Box with touches of wear. Else bright, tight, clean, and sharp.

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.