Catch 22

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Summary: Craig's Review of Catch-22
Review: Craig Leaman
Catch-22
Catch-22 shows many things that relate to isolation because the people I the book are always arguing with each other and never give anyone on the same squadron the right support they need. But the funny thing is they get by because they know that they are going to have to live with each other for a while, which leads to a state of depression in the squadron.

But the only thing that Yossarian wants to do is get out of the military and go home. Yossarian gets very angry with people because he doesn't want anyone bugging him because he is a man that likes to be alone and stay in his own world which is shown by isolation. A sign of isolation shown on this book is when Yossarian always has some sort of problem with himself. This is shown by isolation because he is a man that is very lonely and wants to get out the military. Catch-22 makes Yossarian feel very depressed because the military always bumps up the missions needed to leave the base. So Yossarian always goes off on his own because he knows that he will be there for a while.

Another sign of isolationism is when all the people in the book become incoherent because they are unsure of what to do to make themselves get along with one another. This is isolationism because they take it out on other people while making themselves feel bad about how they are going to live the rest of their lives and at the same time taking their problems out on other people.
I believe this book should be read because it offers a lot of action and humor. The men in the squadron are always fighting with each other but somehow they always seem to pull it off and get along in the end. It also offers a lot of drama because when Yossarian's roommate dies many people are effected by it and don't know how to deal with it. But at time the book can be boring because it rambles on about describing when Clevenger says how Yossarain is crazy. It goes on for about a page and a half. That is the only boring part of the book. All round I thought it was a book that offered a lot of information on what war life was like at that time.

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Summary: Yossarian and his humor
Review: The book Catch 22 by Joseph Heller is not like any other book that I have read. Usually when I sit down to read a book and find it hard to stay with I give it up. This book is like that. In the first hundred pages you start off in an Italian Hospital and then you are out in the war and back in the hospital. This book does a lot of jumping around and is hard to get started. I found that after the hundred pages there is a lot of humor and it becomes an enjoyable book.
Another reason to like this book is because of the main character Yossarian. He makes this book more enjoyable to read because of how humorous he is. At the end of the book the army tells him that he is free to go if he talks good about what is happening, Since Yossarian doesn't believe in what is happening he runs off and frees himself. He does this because he knows that if others go to war they can die and he doesn't want that to happen.
Catch 22 teaches the reader to watch out for higher-ranking people trying to pull a fast one by trapping them in a no win situation.

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Summary: A Catch not Thrown Back
Review: As a high school junior, one might think Catch-22 would be a challenge. This is true, for the writing is very different, and it is at times very hard to follow the story. But, if you can find it within your heart to forgive Catch-22 that minor misgiving, then you certainly would feel the same way about it that I do that Catch-22 is a very good book.
There are several characters in the book, but the one that Catch-22 is rooted to is Yossarian, who throughout the whole book is always wondering why people he has never met are trying to kill him. His wondering why leads him to try to leave the army in any way possible, but he is always confronted with "catch-22", which in his case means he can leave the army if he is crazy, and he must be crazy to fly the dangerous bombing runs, but, and here's the catch, "anyone who wants to get out of combat duty isn't really crazy...that a concern for one's own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind". Catch-22 is used in different situation throughout the book, each with its own underling meaning.
A major point the book conveys is the line between sanity and insanity. As seen by the "catch-22" for Yossarian, it seems to us he is really crazy, for who would walk around all day for months naked. Yet, after getting into the book, the reader comes to realize Yossarian is the only sane person in the whole outfit. This new idea of those who are crazy are sane, and visa versa, leads in to the theme of the later half of the book, the stupidity of army politics. During the story, there are countless times when idiotic things occur because the ones in charge fell it necessary. For instance, in a mission that a member of Yossarian's crew is killed, Yossarian gets a metal.
With what I have said, you can see how the book is confusing at times. But don't let that scare you away. Catch-22 is one of the best books of the 20th century, and it is also a very funny book. I recommend it to any who are willing to try something new, for Catch-22 is a challenge, and what could be better for to read than a challenging book full, of humor, about a war...kind of reminds me of "M.A.S.H.", but not as serious.

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Summary: the goods and bads
Review: Catch 22 is satirical novel which pokes fun at many different parts of our society. It manly criticizes capitalism, the army, and the chain of commands that it consists of. Some readers may dislike this anti-military tone. I liked this novel because Heller's original and repetitive style of writing was funny as well as influential, but by no means is it easy to read. A less competent reader may not enjoy the book as much because the underlining humor may not be understood. The plot and character development is choppy making it difficult to understand the story line. In order to enjoy the novel you must enjoy the humor because the plot itself is not interesting enough to cary you through the book.

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Summary: The humor of "Catch 22"
Review: If you are looking for a book to sit down and read on a Sunday afternoon, "Catch 22" is not the book for you, however if you are looking for a book that will make you think, and is accompanied by off beat humor then "Catch 22" is the book for you.
The humor in "Catch 22" is not your typical slap stick humor. It is, however, a way to understand the crazy timeline in which the book is written, and a way to realize how crazy the characters really are. The book's humor shows the insanity of war. The humor in this book takes away from the reality of war. The book seldom mentions fighting, it is more focused on the characters getting out of the war, and the crazy action of the characters. Without humor this book would be extremely dry, and confusing. The humor however does not appeal to all readers.
Yossarian, as well as the other main characters in this book, are all stuck in a "Catch 22." Each way they turn, there is another obstacle preventing them from getting out of the World War II. Whether it be the rise of the missions required, or the increasing bureaucracy among high-ranking officials. There are examples of "Catch 22" such as this throughout the book.
The humor shows how truly crazy the characters are. One character, for instance, puts crab apples in his cheeks because he likes the way they feel inside his mouth. Can you image seeing one of our troops walking around with crab apples inside his mouth, and how comfortable with our army would you be?
If you are looking for a book to really stretch you mind, as well as make your stomach hurt from laughter then "Catch 22" is the book for you.

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Summary: Something everyone should read!
Review: Catch-22 is the story of a bombardier named Yossarian, who is a frenzied officer in the air force who believes that thousands of people he hasn't even met are trying to kill him, which is somewhat true, but they are really trying to kill everyone. His superiors have no compassion, and like other people of great power believe that Yossarian and other officers are there to serve them. Everyone thinks Yossarian is crazy but the only thing he is crazy about is staying alive. Whatever he does he cannot seem to escape the tragedy of catch-22. This gut-wrenching novel, which attacks the cracks in the dehumanizing military service of WW II, reminds us once again of all that we have taken for granted in our world and should not. This long novel took me awhile to finish but it was worth the effort. Every teenager should read this and find the deep meaning of catch-22.

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Summary: KEEP READING IT
Review: This was the third time I read Catch-22 by Joseph Heller and everytime I read it I understand it better and better. The first time I read it, I was about 17 years old living in Russia. Anything American was good. The book was translated into Russian but somehow was not very popular. No one could really understand what it was all about. If it was about the WWII, it was at least strange. If it was an American humor, there was nothing to laugh about. It was not funny to bomb your own planes. And how could a captain walk around naked? Tomatoes, prostitutes, the CID men, crazy officers and nurses... People did not like it.
Than I came to America and a few years later, I saw this book used, somewhere, and just for 10 cents. I could not resist. I read it again. I could speak some English back than but I guess it was not enough to understand the full depth of Catch-22. I liked it better than before, in Russia, but still not enough. It was just OK.
A month ago, I was making more room for books in my house. Books, I did not care much about were destined to end their lives in the local library, as my donation. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller... I opened it again. What a mistake. What a surprise. I was stunned. It was one of the best books ever written. One has to know not only the language but the life in America and the Americans as well to understand this book completely. This book is not about the war. This book is about us and our lives and our regular affairs. This book is perfect and has to be an American classic. No, Catch-22 did not go to the local library. It is destined now to end its life on my shelf. I will have to read it again and, only than, again and again. Have you read it? You have to read it.

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Summary: Review
Review: Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22" takes place during war. American twentieth century literature that shares with its readers the truthful anecdotes of people's lives in the war. I think that was the best part of the book was the humor and irony. The book brought life in a time of death and war. Even in the seriousness of war, this book manages to poke fun at the craziness of people's lives. It showed how the people that we consider great war heroes are not always as they seem.

Here are these great war heroes doing various missions, trying to claim insanity so that they do not have to fly. If it was not for the idea of catch-22, they would all have been landed. Not to mention how many times Yossarian lied he was sick to go back into the hospital. Then there is the great leader Cathcart who freely volunteers his men for missions all the time. There is also the fact that the war heroes of this book are so flawed in their own character. Or when we think of war heroes, we do not think of the trauma people go through in war. Yossarian did not wear his clothes for the longest time bcause he could not handle the blood that was shed on his friends clothes that died during flihgt.

Another thing that stood out was the format of the book. Every chapter seemed to have a new character with a new and exciting story. "Catch-22" really jumped around a lot. Even though it could be a little bit confusing at times, the book still managed to make sense and get its point across It was nice to read to the end and see how everything had come together. Joseph Heller really managed to make every section of the book connect and smooth over in the end.

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Summary: Yossarian's Reasonig For Desertion
Review: Critique Christopher Grant

Yossarian of the story, "Catch-22," is finally free from the hell that is war. He runs away from his hellish experiences during World War II. In the minds of narrow minded readers Yossarian is a coward, escapist, and selfish for his desertion. These readers do not take into consideration how selfless his desertion really was.

Yossarian is presented with a catch by Colonel Cathcart when he offers Yossarian a chance to go home in return for a favor, a favor that will take many innocent lives. Yossarian is set. He can finally leave the god forsaken war that has taken the lives of so many of his friends. Colonel Cathcart tells him he will include a promotion and, "have parades in his honor." Colonel Cathcart says Yossarian would have to be a fool to turn down the agreement. But Yossarian doesn't go through with it and decides to run away instead, saving the lives of many innocent people. Yossarian now presents himself with a bad situation. He puts himself in danger of getting a court martial, sent to prison, and as Major Danby put it to, "live in danger of betrayal forever." Yossarian's brave and selfless actions are continuously shown to us when he considers the lives of those who will be affected if he is sent home by Cathcart.

Yossarian would be a true escapist if he allowed Cathcart to send him home a hero. If Yossarian chose to go home, the other men in the squadron would unknowingly have to complete more missions than they really need to. But if he stayed, and didn't fly any more missions, the other men in the squadron would have refused to fly missions as well breaking up the unit and putting the country at risk. In this, Yossarian is now sacrificing his safety for the lives of the men in the squadron and the good of the country. Yossarian's selfless actions have still yet to cease.

Yossarian continues to think of the well being of others. He says to Major Danby, "there's a young kid in Rome whose life I'd like to save if I can find her." Nately's whore and her younger sister have been kicked out of their apartment in Rome. Yossarian's selfless actions continue when he decides to save (putting himself in danger) the little girl from the dangers of the Eternal City. Yossarian's actions here prove to be anything but selfish.

How could such a brave man like Yossarian be branded a coward, escapist, and selfish? His reasoning for desertion was based on how it would affect the lives of everyone else in the war. Yossarian would have been a coward to get sent home with a promotion and parade, an escapist if he ignored the lives of the men who fly the missions, and selfish to consider his life over the one of a helpless little girl. Before a narrow minded reader brands the selfless actions of a hero like Yossarian to be cowardly, an escapist, or selfish, they should look at the facts.

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Summary: Extremely witty book about WW2 military camps
Review: Catch-22 was an extremely well-written novel taking place during World War II. The author, Joseph Heller, made full use of his extraordinary wit. The whole novel takes on a light view, looking into an American military camp in Italy. The story is superbly set up as a camp of foolish bombardiers headed by egotistical power- and glory-hungry generals.

The story shifts from character to character, spending only a few pages on each. As the story progresses, previously introduced characters come in contact with each other, setting up the plot.

Heller wrote the book ten years after the war was over, but he still was able to grasp the general ideas of a military camp. Heller realized though that his novel was going to be much too serious if he kept it completely factual, so he changed a few details, which altered the novel from being serious to funny.

Although Heller changed the idea of a camp somewhat, he was still able to write an extremely funny novel. His wit provided an amusing storyline that no other book from World War II has, making Catch-22 truly one-of-a-kind.