Now and then: From Coney Island to here

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The demented Army Air Force of Catch-22, the lethal business world of Something Happened, and the dysfunctional family of Good as Gold are rooted in Joseph Heller's past. Over thirty-five years after Catch-22's explosion into the world, Heller shares his life story. He recounts his Coney Island childhood during the Depression, growing up in a fatherless family yet enjoying life on the boardwalk, in the ocean, and in school. His journey includes various jobs, from delivering telegrams to working in a navy yard, leading to his service in the air force during World War II. After the war, he attended college thanks to the G.I. Bill, pursued teaching, and ventured into Madison Avenue, all while continuously writing. The success of Catch-22 marked the beginning of a remarkable literary career. The strengths of this memoir lie in the energy, humor, and mischief characteristic of Heller's work, alongside the dark undertones that accompany them. He vividly recalls a Coney Island that symbolizes fun and a seemingly golden age of innocence. For the first time, he discusses the people and events that inspired memorable characters and scenes in his writing. This memoir offers both an account of a remarkable life and insight into the creative process of a major American writer.