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Summary: After Catch-22, Life Becomes Something More (or does it?)
Review: As my friends and I entered our AP English class one morning, our teacher handed out a blank page to each of us and asked us each to define "war." Little did I know how much that definition, along with my entire view of life , would be changed as soon as I cracked the binding of the novel that we were to start: Catch-22.Heller's timeless novel, though written in the aftermath of World War II (the author, like the novel's protagonist Yossarian, was a bombardier who witnessed the destruction and chaos that war always brings), is so much more than a standard war novel; it has come to define society's outlook on all things modern, including patriotism, humor, individuality, pain and the truly heroic. It tells the beautifully unstructured-structured tale of a young man, Yossarian, grappling with the illogic of morality and self-preservation. The novel is anti-etsblishment in that it asks readers to always consider their actions before giving their blind allegiance (Milo's syndicate, the glorious loyalty oath crusade) to that which is spoon-fed to them. Stark, shocking and profound in its portrayal of its society of men (and, in perhaps its only, exceedingly minor, flaw, only men), Catch-22 draws readers in, keeps them hanging on every word, and never forgets to evoke emotion, moving from humor to pity and fear, realizing the tragedy of life and death. While many have criticized the novel for its non-linear approach, Heller's structure, syntax (including some of the most amazing sentences I think I've ever read) and language prove the man to be a master. The novel loops back upon itself, returning to heartrending scenes, subtly revealing more each time in its use of diction. Snowden's death is the clearest example of such treatment in the work, only fully complete as the book reaches its truly thrilling conclusion (I'm definitely not going to spoil any of the ending by telling you more--just read it!). Catch-22 is a novel that you can't put down, no matter how you try; characters and storylines all fall into place as you move from the novel's confusion to its own type of enlightenment (particularly in these troubling times)--stick with it, enjoy, learn and take a break from the novel (for I don't think one ever truly "leaves" it) a better person...you'll thank yourself for it.
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Summary: The Best War Novel of the 20th Century
Review: This book is so well written. It will change your views on war, it certainly did mine. Joseph Heller wrote one the best book of the 20th century in his first novel. It is astounding. Yossarian, the books protagonist, is one of my favorite characters in literature. He is called crazy for being sane in an insane world. Yossarian is not the only character of note. Each chapter, other than two, is given the name of the character that it explains. You'll laugh at Milo's business practices, Major Major Major Major (read the book to understand), and the books namesake, Catch-22. This book is great; it is on par with all of the other great American books of the 20th century.
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Summary: will you laugh or cry?
Review: Catch22 is the phrase used to describe the ironic paradoxical injustices that all humans must face. This is one of those books that hold a faint prestige for the reader, like upon finishing it, they enter a secret club, the catch22 club! You start to see Clevingers and Milos and Major Major Major's (who happens to be my favourite character!) everywhere. I know some people who think that this book makes the world and humanity ugly, but I think that's just cos the book has opened their eyes to the ironic injustices of the world for the first time. I think it makes the world beautiful, because all the characters, even the slimiest of them, are struggling so hard for what they want against all those ironic injustices, Captain Black to prove Major Major is a communist, Yossarian to get out of the army, Milo to make as much money as possible. And the basic innocence that all these characters have is the only reason why they can do the terrible things they do. Milo getting paid by the germans to bomb his own camp, CHief White Halfoat threatening Flume's life for a joke but causing Flume to live in eternal fear, every man who killed another in WW2, every man who ran the other way in fear for his life. It's a homage to humanity's innocence. The whole book says to me, "Look at all the horror and terror we are capable of, yet look at our frailty and stupidity, and beneath it all, a tenacity to keep going." This book doesn't make light of war, it vindicates humanity of war. Anyway of course there are many other aspects to the book, its one of those books that can mean many things to the reader. Also an interesting thing to add, apparently "MASH" was based on this book. Although MASH is not nearly as dark, it still has many of the bsic themes and foible-filled characters.
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Summary: Hilarious
Review: It's just one of those books you don't want to put down. I'm real picky when it comes to books catching my interest, but this book made me laugh so hard on so many different occasions that it seemed like an episode of Seinfeld. I've never ever laughed out loud at a book until this one. I highly recommend this and can't wait to read the sequel Closing Time.
Rating: 
Summary: Words cannot describe...
Review: When I first read the title of this book, it brought to mind all the wonderful comments I had heard about it. I knew I had to see what all the fuss was about. I was a bit intrigued after the first chapter, but I wasn't quite sure it was worth all the hype. As the book went on, I began to dislike it more and more, loving it all the same. It drove me nuts with every turn of a page. I was immediately thrown off by the absurd conversations depicted. I didn't understand how you could only go see someone in their office when they weren't there. But, I quickly warmed up to the idea that the book was just not going to make sense. The whole concept behind Catch-22 is that there is no logic; you have to find a way to use the illogical ways of the system to your advantage. Though I complained throughout most of my reading, I can say that I definitely enjoyed the book. It's one of those that will mess with your head; you just can't let it get to you. However, if you are planning on reading it, I would make one suggestion: make a list of characters and short descriptions as you read, or print a list from the internet. There are about 38 characters, not including some minor ones. If you do not find some way to keep them straight, you will find yourself flipping back pages all the time to remember who someone is.
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Summary: I've ONLY READ HALF THE BOOK! Hehe
Review: Ok, as you've read, I've only read half of the book, Catch 22, but I think that it's wonderful! For those who read this book, I think that you will find it incredibly funny or incredibly weird. In my case, I found it incredibly funny. It is about Yossarian, a bombardier in the war (which one, I forget, hehe), and his life there with INCREDIBLY hilarious friends. I can't wait to finish this book, and I hope that everyone will at least attempt to read it...I'll go finish it now.
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Summary: A wonderful satire of the military machine
Review: As a long-term prisoner, I'm frequently struck with the comical absurdity of the rigid rules and manner in which adult human beings interact inside the federal bureau of prisons. It doesn't matter whether one is held at USP Leavenworth, or the federal prison camp at FPC Montgomery. A pecking order of personnel exists in every institution which mandates that staff members who want to advance must like the boots of their supervisors, enforce and support every rule assiduously regardless of the ridiculousness of the rule itself. No staff member can befriend or fraternize with a prisoner. Although prison guards fancy titular titles like correctional professionals, they not only fail to "correct" anything, but they absolutely thwart the progress of individuals who aspire to grow. Living as a prisoner places one in a perennial catch-22. I had heard the term "catch - 22" for years, and I knew there was a book of the same name. That's all I knew. Then, one afternoon while listening to National Public Radio, probably NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, or Radio Times, I heard one of the guests describing Joseph Heller's Catch - 22 as an exceptionally great American novel. I was almost finished with an Anthony Robbins self-help book when I heard the NPR interview, so I walked to the prison library to check it out. Heller's Catch - 22, a Voltaire-like satire of the military's rigidity had me laughing from page one. Heller uses a dry wit to poke fun at the obsequious, phony interactions between military personnel. As Voltaire's Candid brought to surface the hypocrisy that comes with institutional thought patterns in general, and organized religion in particular, Heller makes readers laugh by bringing his protagonist into contact with his superiors, his equals, his subordinates, and civilians. As a federal prisoner, I live in the midst of the same culture Heller describes. Catch - 22 reminds readers that institutions and the insular culture they propagate cause many of the personnel who work for institutions to forget that we're all human beings and not part of a bureaucratic machine. Heller uses each chapter in Catch - 22 to dramatize another ludicrous episode of military life. We laugh while reading how individuals become blinded by their positions and the power that comes with rank. In several chapters we follow one ingenious military man as he exploits the greed of human nature to build a massive military-sanctioned black market enterprise, the syndicate, in which "everyone has a share"; enabling them to profit through layered global transactions that frequently deal with war-time enemies. In other chapters Heller entertains us by exposing the insecurities and pettiness of high-ranking officers; it's funny to see those whom the officers belittled and stepped on earlier become direct superiors later in the novel. Heller's Catch - 22 is so powerful that he book's title became a dictionary work defining paradox. It not only made me laugh, but also inspires me as a writer. One day I hope to emulate Heller and Voltaire by writing a satire in the same vein, exposing the absurdity and waste of the criminal justice system in general, and prisons in particular.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful satire of the military machine
Review: ...I had heard the term "catch - 22" for years, and I knew there was a book of the same name. That's all I knew. Then, one afternoon while listening to National Public Radio, probably NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, or Radio Times, I heard one of the guests describing Joseph Heller's Catch - 22 as an exceptionally great American novel. I was almost finished with an Anthony Robbins self-help book when I heard the NPR interview, so I walked to the prison library to check it out. Heller's Catch - 22, a Voltaire-like satire of the military's rigidity had me laughing from page one. Heller uses a dry wit to poke fun at the obsequious, phony interactions between military personnel. As Voltaire's Candid brought to surface the hypocrisy that comes with institutional thought patterns in general, and organized religion in particular, Heller makes readers laugh by bringing his protagonist into contact with his superiors, his equals, his subordinates, and civilians. As a federal prisoner, I live in the midst of the same culture Heller describes. Catch - 22 reminds readers that institutions and the insular culture they propagate cause many of the personnel who work for institutions to forget that we're all human beings and not part of a bureaucratic machine. Heller uses each chapter in Catch - 22 to dramatize another ludicrous episode of military life. We laugh while reading how individuals become blinded by their positions and the power that comes with rank. In several chapters we follow one ingenious military man as he exploits the greed of human nature to build a massive military-sanctioned black market enterprise, the syndicate, in which "everyone has a share"; enabling them to profit through layered global transactions that frequently deal with war-time enemies. In other chapters Heller entertains us by exposing the insecurities and pettiness of high-ranking officers; it's funny to see those whom the officers belittled and stepped on earlier become direct superiors later in the novel. Heller's Catch - 22 is so powerful that he book's title became a dictionary work defining paradox. It not only made me laugh, but also inspires me as a writer. One day I hope to emulate Heller and Voltaire by writing a satire in the same vein, exposing the absurdity and waste of the criminal justice system in general, and prisons in particular.
Rating: 
Summary: the catch is catch 22
Review: Although critically acclaimed as " An Apocalyptic Masterpiece" by the Chicago Tribune the absence of an on going plot prevents the reader from being consistently interested. Which thus at times gets a little boring to read after a while. However it's hilarious satire and distinguished characters makes this novel a must read.
Rating:
Summary: good
Review: The Book Catch 22 by Joseph Heller is novel about a young man named Yossarian who is a bomber in the war. He is a scared, weak drunk who hates being a bomber in the war. He is afraid of dying and does anything in his power to not have fly missions. He faked a liver problem and went to the hospital for a few weeks to just relax, hit on the nurses and talk to other patients. One time he even faked being someone else dying and talked to the guy's family just so the doctor wouldn't tell that Yossarian wasn't actually sick. Heller portrays the whole unit Yossarian is in and everyone he meets to be sort of odd and a little crazy. Most the captains and people of rank are alcoholics and do something to take advantage of their positions in the military. For example Major de Coverly kidnaps Italian laborers and goes to cities to get apartments for officers and enlisted men to go on leaves. The main purpose of these leaves is to visit prostitutes and get drunk. I feel that Heller portrays everyone in the book to be a joke, and I think he shows his feelings about war through these characters.
Catch 22 is a good book but a confusing one you need to pay attention to all the characters because they all seem to have a story to go along with them and in some way they connect to Yossarian. Heller furthers the complexity by jumping from character to character and from scene to scene. Catch 22 is a funny novel with a lot of good humor about life and the war.
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