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Catch-22
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Catch-22 Mass market paperbound - 1989

by Joseph L. Heller

About this book

Catch-22 is Joseph Heller’s first novel and his most acclaimed work. Set during World War II, the novel uses a distinctive non-chronological third-person omniscient narration, mainly focusing on the life of Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier. Occasionally, the narrator also shows us how other characters, such as the chaplain or Hungry Joe, experience the world around them. As the novel’s events are described from the different points of view through separate out-of-sequence storylines, the timeline of Catch-22 develops along with the plot.

The novel's title refers to a plot device that is repeatedly invoked in the story. Catch-22 starts as a set of paradoxical requirements whereby airmen mentally unfit to fly did not have to, but could not actually be excused. By the end of the novel, the phrase is invoked as the explanation for many unreasonable restrictions. “Catch-22” has since entered the English language and can be understood as an unsolvable logic puzzle, a difficult situation from which there is no escape.

Upon publication, the book was not a best seller in the United States. It was merely a cult favorite until the publication of the paperback edition in 1962, which set record sales — most likely benefitting from a national debate about the pointlessness of the Vietnam War. Catch-22 has since been ranked as one of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century by the Modern Library, one of the 20th century's top 100 novels by the Radcliffe Publishing Course, and one of the 100 greatest novels of all time by The Observer. 

First line

It was love at first sight.

First Edition Identification

Simon & Schuster first published Catch-22 in June of 1961. The first edition is bound in blue cloth, the top edges of its pages are stained red, and the statement “First Printing” appears on the copyright page. The dust jacket of the first edition has the original $5.95 price on the bottom of the front flap and author's picture on the back panel with no blurbs.

Details

  • Title Catch-22
  • Author Joseph L. Heller
  • Binding Mass Market Paperbound
  • Edition Later Printing
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Laurel Press, New York, New York
  • Date August 5, 1989
  • ISBN 9780440204398 / 0440204399
  • Weight 0.53 lbs (0.24 kg)
  • Dimensions 6.81 x 4.26 x 1.24 in (17.30 x 10.82 x 3.15 cm)
  • Reading level 1140
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

More Copies for Sale

Catch-22
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Catch-22

by Heller, Joseph

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780440204398 / 0440204399
Quantity Available
1
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Frederick, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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$5.12
$3.99 shipping to USA

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Description:
A Laurel Book published by Dell Publishing. Used - Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner’s name, short gifter’s inscription or light stamp.
Item Price
$5.12
$3.99 shipping to USA
Catch-22 : 'Never Has a Book Been Laughed and Wept Over So Many Times'

Catch-22 : 'Never Has a Book Been Laughed and Wept Over So Many Times'

by Joseph Heller

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780440204398 / 0440204399
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2
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Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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Description:
Random House Publishing Group, 1989. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.39
FREE shipping to USA
Catch-22 : 'Never Has a Book Been Laughed and Wept Over So Many Times'

Catch-22 : 'Never Has a Book Been Laughed and Wept Over So Many Times'

by Joseph Heller

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780440204398 / 0440204399
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3
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Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.39
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Random House Publishing Group, 1989. Paperback. Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. An ex-library book and may have standard library stamps and/or stickers. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.39
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Catch-22 : 'Never Has a Book Been Laughed and Wept Over So Many Times'

Catch-22 : 'Never Has a Book Been Laughed and Wept Over So Many Times'

by Joseph Heller

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780440204398 / 0440204399
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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Description:
Random House Publishing Group, 1989. Paperback. Good. Disclaimer:Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.39
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Catch-22

Catch-22

by Heller, Joseph L.

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  • Good
  • Paperback
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Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780440204398 / 0440204399
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Description:
Laurel Press, 1989. Mass Market Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.45
FREE shipping to USA
CATCH 22
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

CATCH 22

by HELLER, JOSEPH

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780440204398 / 0440204399
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Laurel. Used - Very Good. May have light to moderate shelf wear and/or a remainder mark. Complete. Clean pages.
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Catch-22 Heller, Joseph
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Catch-22 Heller, Joseph

by Heller, Joseph

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780440204398 / 0440204399
Quantity Available
1
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worcester, Massachusetts, United States
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A Laurel Book published by Dell Publishing, 1989-08-05. paperback. Good. 4x1x7. clean used copy , sunning to pages, fast shipping with tracking number
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$9.00
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Catch-22 : 'Never Has a Book Been Laughed and Wept Over So Many Times'
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Catch-22 : 'Never Has a Book Been Laughed and Wept Over So Many Times'

by Heller, Joseph

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780440204398 / 0440204399
Quantity Available
3
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Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
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Catch-22
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Catch-22

by Heller, Joseph

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780440204398 / 0440204399
Quantity Available
1
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Catch-22
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Catch-22

by Heller, Joseph

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780440204398 / 0440204399
Quantity Available
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San Diego, California, United States
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A Laurel Book published by Dell Publishing, 1989-08-05. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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