Catch-22. by HELLER, Joseph - 1961

New York: Simon and Schuster,, 1961. Insanity is contagious First edition, first printing, signed by the author on the title page. 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. "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 supplied dust jacket. Housed in custom grey card slipcase illustrated after jacket panels. Book-sale stamp and contemporary gift inscription on front free endpaper. Spine faded, light discolouration elsewhere, slight wear to ends and corners, foxing and damp staining to edges, contents clean; toned, price-clipped jacket with handful of small tears: a very good copy in like jacket.