<p><b>Joseph Heller</b> (May 1, 1923 – December 12, 1999) was an American satirical novelist, short story writer, and playwright. His best known work is <i>Catch-22</i>, a novel about US servicemen during World War II. The title of this work entered the English lexicon to refer to absurd, no-win choices, particularly in situations in which the desired outcome of the choice is an impossibility, and regardless of choice, the same negative outcome is a certainty. Heller is widely regarded<sup class="noprint Inline-Template" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i>by whom?</i>]</sup> as one of the best post–World War II satirists. Although he is remembered primarily for <i>Catch-22</i>, his other works center on the lives of various members of the middle class and remain exemplars of modern satire.</p>Continue Reading »
