The author of "Catch-22" is Joseph Heller. Published in 1961, this satirical novel is set during World War II and follows Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Force B-25 bombardier, as he navigates the absurdities of war and military bureaucracy. The term "Catch-22" itself has entered the lexicon, representing a no-win situation or a regulation that creates a frustrating dilemma for those caught in it. Heller's work is celebrated for its dark humor and incisive commentaries on the nature of war, sanity, and the human condition. Its lasting impact has marked it as a classic of American literature.