Burning the Books

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Opening with the infamous bonfires of 'un-German' and Jewish literature in 1933, this work takes us on a 3000-year journey through the destruction of knowledge and the relentless fight to preserve it. Richard Ovenden, director of the Bodleian Library, illustrates how attacks on libraries and archives have been prevalent throughout history, escalating in frequency and intensity in modern times. Libraries serve as more than mere repositories of literature; they safeguard legal documents like the Magna Carta and uphold the rule of law and citizens' rights. Today, the knowledge they protect is under unprecedented threat. The narrative delves into events such as the fate of the Great Library of Alexandria, the Windrush papers, and Donald Trump's deletion of tweets, as well as John Murray's burning of Byron's memoirs for censorship. This powerful history of civilization also serves as a manifesto for the essential role of physical libraries in our digital age. It features a diverse cast of adventurers, self-taught archaeologists, poets, freedom-fighters, and dedicated librarians who go to great lengths to preserve knowledge. From the rediscovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls to the medieval manuscript that inspired William Morris, the lessons of the past remain invaluable, and neglecting them would be perilous.