Author: Richard Ovenden
Title: Burning the books, a history of the
deliberate destruction of knowledge
Genre: Nonfiction
Publication Date: 2020
Number of Pages: 320
Geographical Setting: All over the world
Time Period: various points in history, leading up to
more present day times
Series (If applicable): n/a
Plot Summary:
This is a historical account of the destruction libraries
and archives have faced throughout history. The author connects historical
events and the destruction of knowledge and shows the ways in which literature
and learning have managed to survive against seemingly insurmountable odds. The
book begins with an introduction to the topic that starts with a picture of the
Nazis burning books in 1933. A chilling and eye-opening way to begin that sets
the tone for the rest of the book. There are black and white images spread
throughout the book, with each chapter beginning with an image that is related
to the chapter’s topics. Letters, quotes, and journal entries are also included
throughout the story to provide insight into the historical events. What
follows are detailed accounts of how and why knowledge has been destroyed throughout
various points in time and in a wide variety of locations from around the
world.
The story is conversational in tone, making it very readable
and approachable and not just a dry accounting of history. With a descriptive
use of language, using words like “swooned over” this story reads like a love
letter to the history of books, learning and libraries.
Wyatt defines nonfiction as one that is broken into two categories
“task books and non-task books” (2007, p.2). Taks books are those that guide the
reader to accomplish some function and non-task books are ones books for pleasure,
learning, recreation, exploration and escape (Wyatt, 2007, p.2). Burning the Books would fall into the
latter category of non-task book as it is a story that people read to learn and
explore a topic.
Subject Headings:
- Censorship History
- Archive History
- Book Burning History
Appeal:
Here are some words from one of our readings called “The
Secret Language of Books, a Guide to Appeal” that I would use to describe the
appeal of this book (Novelist, 2018).
- Compelling
- Descriptive
- Easy to Understand
3 terms that best describe this book:
- Engaging
- Richly Detailed
- Well Researched
3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors
Book: Part of our Lives, a People’s History of the
American Public Library
Author: James Raven
Book: The Oxford Illustrated History of the Book
Author: William Marx
Book: The Hatred of Literature
3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors
Author: Marie Bendedict
Book: The Personal Librarian
Author: Pip Williams
Book: The Dictionary of Lost Words
Author: Madeline Martin
Book: The Last Bookshop in London
Mary,
ReplyDeleteAs someone, I hope all of us passionately hate the fact that these kinds of burnings happened. I won't lie this made nervous to read about. However, the fact this has historical content behind why society would want to try and stop "knowledge" in a sense, seemed to be interesting to me. To me there should be no real correct reason to keep anyone away from books but look at what kind of society we live in when it comes to limiting content.
Great Pick!
Bre
Mary,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very interesting read on a very dark and difficult subject. It feels unfortunately timely as well, because though true burning hasn't happened again yet it sometimes feels like it might not be too far off. I also appreciate when nonfiction titles are written conversationally and narratively because it makes them much more approachable to me.
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteGreat selection! I actually wrote my book review in S580 on this title. I thought this was such an outstanding and concise history of a very disturbing topic. I found Ovenden’s writing entirely accessible and very much appreciated the narrative tone. I think that sort of accessibility would make this an engaging read for anyone, which is a great thing in my opinion, because books like this should be read by as many people as possible so as to prevent future destruction.
What a coincidence, I also did my book review in S580 on this book :) It was a very interesting read. I think that a nonfiction book that reads more like a novel is easier for people to digest and enjoy.
DeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteI really like your suggested readings. When I was scrolling down, a few different books come to mind that could possibly be on your list, yet many of them were new to me and some of them seem like a clear fit. Part of our lives seems like a great novel, I am so interested in the history of the public library because it is not so cut and dry as a brick and mortar building in many cases.
-Emma
Full points :)
ReplyDelete