h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A strange and disturbing book about crazy times. It's the black humour masterpiece of WWII. The Americans are in the soft underbelly, Italy, pushing northwards. Yossarian, the main character, is flying many missions into danger; to places where enemy flak is taking its toll on the American bombers. The aircrews are cracking-up under the strain and the number of missions are continually being increased - many men, denied leave, are going crazy, others are taking advantage of the situation. Classic characters abound: the ineffectual priest, the whore seeking revenge, the mad pilot and so it goes on. The offbeat writing style suits the subject down to the ground. It's the antithesis to the glorious warrior image.