'Catch-22': A Paradox Turns 50 And Still Rings True

[Story]

Fifty years ago, a new phrase began to make its way into American conversations: "Catch-22." Joseph Heller's irreverent World War II novel — named for the now-famous paradox — was published on Oct. 11, 1961. His take on war meshed perfectly with the anti-authoritarian generation that came of age in the 1960s. And now, a half-century later, the predicament of a no-win trap still resonates with a new crop of young people distrustful of their elders.

In August 1944, Heller flew on a mission over the French town of Avignon. Sitting in the plexiglass nose cone of a B-25 bomber, Heller faced the very real possibility of death for the first time. That mission, says Heller biographer Tracy Daugherty, shaped the way Heller thought about war, a sensibility that permeates his novel.

http://www.npr.org/2011/10/13/141280833/catch-22-a-paradox-turns-50-and-still-rings-true?ps=cprs

 

[Spitfire]

One of the best books on my shelf - if not THE best!

 

[MPicciotto]

One of the best books on my shelf - if not THE best!

I concur! A favorite read. The movie was in my opinion done well. Obviously they had to shorten it from the book otherwise it would have had to be done in a manor similar to Band of Brothers and made into a 12 hour mini-series.

Matt

 

[Phantomfixer]

I read the book as a sophmore in high school(1980). I was to read it and of course write a summary of it. At 14 I did not pick up on any of the anti war messages. An excellent read and a great movie (yes because of the A-2s and B-25s). War is timeless; the message of the obsurdity of war still applies.
If you want a good read on the current war please read The Forever War by Dexter Filkins. By far IMO the best book I have read in a while.
http://www.amazon.com/Forever-War-Dexter-Filkins/dp/0307266397

John