A groundbreaking satirical war novel by Joseph Heller. Set during World War II, the story follows Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces bombardier desperately trying to survive the absurdity of war. He is trapped by the infamous "Catch-22" rule: a pilot can be grounded if he is insane, but requesting to be grounded proves he is sane enough to continue flying dangerous missions. Through dark humor, satire, and unforgettable characters, the novel exposes the bureaucracy, hypocrisy, and irrationality of war and modern institutions.