Rating: 
Summary: A Twentieth Century Landmark.
Review: In becoming the 310th person to review this book here I understand the unlikelihood that I will say anything that has not been said before. I write this however because all that can be said about this book deserves to be said and is worth saying again and again and again. "Catch-22" is a monumental creation, the product of a brilliant inspiration that does not recognize itself and such and thus plays things out on its own terms, without pandering or pretention. I believe that this book came about simply because Joseph Heller had a unique vision and chose to record it. It just so happens that what was unique about Heller's vision was his ability to view the true madness of the world and then distill that madness into images and words, recording his viewpoint with shocking clarity.I will not deny that the presentation is ludicrously over the top. What I will argue is that this book could have been written in no other way. Heller saw the world in general, and war in particular, as irredeemably absurd. To be honest then Heller had to paint an absurd picture, and make sure that it could not be mistaken for anything but absurdity. It follows that the presentation should be equally absurd. This is only one way in which which Heller give the finger to conventional literary wisdom. "Catch-22" was written to defy socio-political conventions and it would be hypocritical to adhere with any closeness to conventions of the arena in which he chose to make his stand. Two common criticisms of "Catch-22" are that it lacks a strong plotline and that it is too long. The first criticism is perfectly legitimate. "Catch-22" not only lacks a "strong" plotline, it comes very close to lacking anything that could be considered a plot line at all. Why, I ask, should Heller have sacrificed his ideas and vision for the luxury of a fabricated plotline? One of the major themes of "Catch-22" is the pointlessness and circularity of war, indeed, of life in general. It is only one more example of the integrity with which "Catch-22" was written that Heller chose to structure the novel in a way that would reinforce the that theme. Who needs a plot, anyway, when the theme is so strongly evident and so soundly delivered. As for the length, I don't think heller could have encapsulated the enormous scope of this book in any smaller framework. Once one gets into "Catch-22" it becomes an intoxicating, encompassing, and overwhelmingly enjoyable reading experience. Dealing with the length of the book is not a problem when it is enjoyed as thoroughly as I enjoyed it. It also allows for repeated readings, as one can crack it open at almost any point and read on indefinately, find fresh enjoyment and enlightenment in each page. "Catch-22" was brilliantly concieved and delivered and will be just as convincing hundreds of years from now as it is now.
Rating:
Summary: Top 5
Review: I have read this book many times over and I never tire of it. This is one of the greatest novels in the history of the United States, at least in the last 100 years. It is a roller coaster and the sarcastic and wild characters come to life more than some of our own lives. This book should be read by everyone because although it is first seen as a comedic story, it is serious in its ability to show the problems with the world. Colonel Cathcart just wants to get ahead in the army and only wants a raise. Milo wants to become rich beyond his wildest dreams and Yossarian just wants to live. This novel has inspired me, myself to write a novel, which I am currently in the progress of. Hopefully, Catch-22 will do the same for you.
Rating:
Summary: A Truly Great Book
Review: A lot of people don't like Catch-22 because it's so long and doesn't seem to go anywhere at first. Those people are fools. While it does take some time to get into, Catch-22 is hilarious and unforgettable.
Rating:
Summary: Where are the Snowden's of yesteryear? There, there.
Review: I have read Catch-22 over 20 times, and though some may find this a bit compulsive, I find Heller's classic one of the few antidotes (antivenins?) to postpostmodern existence. In one of Heller's last interviews before his death last year, he said he believed there were no solutions to modern existence, to the problems with society: All one can do is run. So I do. Every time life gets to be too much, I follow Heller's advice and run straight for the solacing lunacy of Yossarian & Co. (Then I promptly go steal plumb tomatoes from the grocery store.) Over 300 people have written reviews of this book, so I doubt I can add much to what's already been said. But I can tell you that Catch-22 has the curative power of a thousand hot bubble baths. Just watch out for Natley's whore!
Rating:
Summary: An Incredible Achievement
Review: I don't know what goes on in Joseph Heller's head, but it's cool. And funny as anything. I don't remember HOW many times I laughed out loud during the course of the novel...it was hilarious...the way Heller walks himself into contradictions and paradoxes is highly amusing. There are a great many characters, hard to keep track of, but most have a quirk which helps identify them. And the amazing thing is, he keeps everything straight. Little funny things he mentions seemingly offhand continue to pop up later on in the novel. Yes, get out those horse chestnuts and crab apples. The book is very funny. Then, towards the end, the book develops a heart. Bad things happen, and you feel bad. War is bad, and bad things happen. Yet, Heller still manages to inject humor into these events, including one of the funniest sequences, that of the chaplain and the generals...the people in charge are the craziest of them all. You will laugh out loud. You will sometimes feel bad for laughing (hence, black comedy). But you will be happy you read this book. It is highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: This is a wonderful book.
Review: You will like it. Don't take my word for it. Read it and find out for yourself. It's funny and intelligent. You'll read it, and then find yourself or someone you know in a Catch-22, and it will make your day.
Rating:
Summary: The Flying Loon
Review: Catch-22, the ironic rule that keeps Yossarian and his fellow men in his squadron in the war. They are all crazy in their only special little ways, each fighting their own battle for freedom. Yossarian knows their all crazy; he knows he must get out, not for a loved one or for just the hatred of war itself. Yossarian fears for his life, he fears it every time he climbs aboard his bomber. Some man fly for patriotism and others fly because it needs to be done; the younger men believe war is a great and fun thing. When they do fly many do not come back, as Yossarian can testify. Before his eyes he has seen many of his comrades die, which only depletes what is left of his sanity. The squadron's lack of sanity is at most times the source of great humorous occasions. From Milo's crazy antics of buying and selling of merchandise to Major Major's rules, the laughs far outnumber the moments of tears. Heller uses such great detail to bring the reader to the limits of sadness, and the characters means to dealing with it are the craziest of all. The book is a great read, it offers so many great lessons to be learned and to be taught to further generations. As I began to read it I was unaware of how the book had touched the minds of some many people before me.
Rating:
Summary: The flying loon
Review: Catch-22 is the one thing that keeps an entire bomber squadron in WWII still flying. The book constructs a vivid portrayal of the experiences of Yossarian and his comrades and their reasons for insanity. Their only goal is forging plans that can keep them on the ground and out of their planes. There is a limit to the number of missions the squadron must fly, but as soon as enough men reach it, it is simple raised. The squadron is caught in a never-ending circle broken only by death. The ironic Catch -22 is their only path towards freedom, it keeps them flying because it is Catch-22. The book is a great read the humor in the book runs abound along and the irony behind catch-22 creates great plot twists. Yossarian will continue to live for many years.
Rating:
Summary: A list
Review: Brilliant, moving, hilarious, profound, tragic, complex, gripping, absurd, clever, joyful, witty, evocative, acute, bitter, ingenious, unique, wise, simple, perceptive, sad, riotous, truthful, sublime, genius. Catch-22. All of these things and more.
Rating: 
Summary: ironic,funny,confusing....
Review: I've never read a book that was so ironic, funny and confusing like this one. It had crazy characters, most of them you can't relate to. And like the title, there was a catch, bureaucracy (or hipocracy) to almost every thing. I enjoyed the book. but be warned, you'll find yourself rereading paragraphs that just make no sense the first time around.
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