Catch-22 Book Notes Summary

Milo's syndicate, M & M Enterprises, is verging on collapse due to his overstock of Egyptian cotton. To bail the syndicate out, Milo makes an outrageous deal with the Germans to bomb his own outfit. Many are injured. Previous business with the German enemies had led to great success. Milo used German bombers to transport yams and greens. He even tipped German anti-aircraft gunners off to American surprise attacks and indirectly caused the death of Mudd.

Milo reasons that such double-dealing profits the syndicate, and whatever benefits the syndicate benefits the men since everyone has a share. However, "This time Milo had gone to far. Bombing his own men and planes was more than even the most phlegmatic observer could stomach, and it looked like the end for him...Milo was all washed up until he opened his books to the public and disclosed the tremendous profit he had made." Chapter 24, pg. 269

Yossarian, naked in a tree, watches Snowden's burial from a distance. Shocked by Snowden's mutilation and covered in his blood and guts during the Avignon mission, Yossarian refuses to put on his uniform. While Yossarian mourns Snowden, Milo joins him in the tree and instead mourns the demise of his syndicate. He offers Yossarian some chocolate-covered cotton, absurdly hoping to turn the losing cotton surplus into a new dessert offering at the mess hall.

Topic Tracking: Insanity 8