First edition, first printing. Based on Heller's wartime experiences in the United States Army Air Corps, the novel is a classic of both satire and anti-war literature. It has also influenced the English lexicon, as the work's title is now widely understood as describing a paradoxical or impossible situation.
"Couched in humour reminiscent of a vaudeville act, it satirized militarism, nationalism, patriotism, discipline, ambition, loyalty, money, big business, sex, religion, mankind, and God. It questioned the values deeply held by the post-World War II generation by stating that dying for your country was futile, that leaders are fools who cannot be trusted, and that capitalism made victims of us all" (ANB).
Octavo. Original blue cloth, spine lettered in white, top edge red. With dust jacket.
Bump to spine ends, faint mark to outer leaves, contents clean; jacket unclipped, red figure on spine faded, bright overall, a couple of chips and creases, verso with neat tape reinforcement to spine head: a near-fine copy in very good jacket.