Trump's administration can't get its story straight on Iran

Set in the closing months of World War II, 'Catch-22' is a satirical novel that follows the story of Captain John Yossarian, a bombardier stationed on the island of Pianosa off the coast of Italy. The novel explores the absurdity and inhumanity of warfare through Yossarian's attempts to escape his flying duties, thwarted by the bureaucratic rule known as 'Catch-22'. This rule creates a paradox where a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous missions, but if he requests to be relieved of duty, he is proven sane and thus ineligible for relief. The novel is known for its nonchronological structure, circular reasoning, and its critique of military bureaucracy and the illogical nature of war.

In 'How Music Works,' David Byrne acts as historian, anthropologist, raconteur, and social scientist to explore how music is shaped by its cultural and physical context. The book touches on the joy, physics, and business of making music, discussing how patterns and adaptations have influenced his own work with Talking Heads and other collaborators. Byrne examines the impact of recording technology, the evolution of music studios, and the changing economics of the music industry, while arguing against the distinction between 'high art' and 'low art' in music.