NY, Simon & Schuster, 1961. The advance reading copy of Heller's first book, a black comedy of World War II and military life whose title has become a part of the language, signifying a contradictory set of instructions or constraints. This book was the basis for a well-received film and one of the novels that helped define the ethos of the 1960s: funny, irreverent, and critical of established authority and bureaucracy. One of the few books to be listed on each of the Modern Library, Radcliffe, Waterstone's and New York Public Library lists of the great books of the 20th century. Spine slightly cocked; wrappers sunned on spine; about near fine in wrappers and custom clamshell case. [#024542] SOLD