This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Catch-22

   

   The book is a satirical critique of military bureaucracy and the illogical nature of war, set during World War II. The story follows a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier stationed in Italy, who is trying to maintain his sanity while fulfilling his service requirements so that he can go home. The novel explores the absurdity of war and military life through the experiences of the protagonist, who discovers that a bureaucratic rule, the "Catch-22", makes it impossible for him to escape his dangerous situation. The more he tries to avoid his military assignments, the deeper he gets sucked into the irrational world of military rule.

   The 33rd Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. Something Happened

   

   In "Something Happened," the narrative delves into the mind of Bob Slocum, a successful yet disillusioned corporate executive navigating the complexities of his personal and professional life in post-war America. The novel, characterized by its stream-of-consciousness style, explores themes of anxiety, isolation, and the mundane horrors of everyday existence as Slocum grapples with his relationships with his family, his colleagues, and himself. Through a series of introspective and often disjointed reflections, the protagonist reveals his deep-seated fears and desires, painting a stark and unsettling portrait of a man overwhelmed by the banalities and moral ambiguities of American middle-class life.

   The 2715th Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. Portrait Of An Artist, As An Old Man

   

   The novel explores the struggles of an aging writer who is grappling with the challenge of creating a successful new work. As he reflects on his past achievements and failures, he becomes increasingly obsessed with finding inspiration and originality in his writing. The narrative delves into themes of creativity, the passage of time, and the pressure of living up to one's own legacy. Through a blend of humor and introspection, the book offers a poignant examination of the artistic process and the inevitable confrontation with one's own mortality.

4. 4. Good As Gold

   

   In this satirical novel, the protagonist, Bruce Gold, is a Jewish professor and writer who is caught in a whirlwind of ambition and existential angst as he navigates the treacherous waters of politics and family life. Gold's pursuit of a prestigious government position leads him to confront the absurdities and hypocrisies of the political elite, while his personal life is riddled with familial tensions and unfulfilled desires. The narrative is a sharp, comedic exploration of identity, success, and the often farcical nature of human aspirations, all set against the backdrop of American society in the late 20th century.
5. 5. Closing Time

   The Sequel to Catch-22

   

   Set in the chaotic and absurd world of post-World War II America, this novel revisits the characters from a previous satirical work, now grappling with the challenges of aging and the looming specter of mortality. The narrative weaves together the lives of several protagonists as they navigate a society marked by corruption, bureaucracy, and existential dread. With dark humor and sharp wit, the story explores themes of futility, the passage of time, and the enduring struggle for meaning in a world that seems to have lost its moral compass.

6. 6. Picture This

   

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7. 7. God Knows

   

   A darkly comic, anachronistic retelling of the life of King David narrated as a frank, often bawdy monologue to God, blending biblical episodes with modern awareness; the once-mighty king recounts triumphs and transgressions—slaying Goliath, adultery and its consequences, struggles with faith and mortality—while meditating on power, memory, and the human need for meaning.

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