{"product_id":"burning-the-books-a-history-of-the-deliberate-destruction-of-knowledge","title":"Burning the Books: A History of the Deliberate Destruction of Knowledge","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Wolfson History Prize Finalist\u003cbr\u003eA \u003ci\u003eNew Statesman\u003c\/i\u003e Book of the Year\u003cbr\u003eA \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e Book of the Year \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Timely and authoritative...I enjoyed it immensely.\"\u003cbr\u003e--Philip Pullman \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"If you care about books, and if you believe we must all stand up to the destruction of knowledge and cultural heritage, this is a brilliant read--both powerful and prescient.\"\u003cbr\u003e--Elif Shafak \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eLibraries have been attacked since ancient times but they have been especially threatened in the modern era, through war as well as willful neglect. \u003ci\u003eBurning the Books\u003c\/i\u003e describes the deliberate destruction of the knowledge safeguarded in libraries from Alexandria to Sarajevo, from smashed Assyrian tablets to the torching of the Library of Congress. The director of the world-famous Bodleian Libraries, Richard Ovenden, captures the political, religious, and cultural motivations behind these acts. He also shines a light on the librarians and archivists preserving history and memory, often risking their lives in the process. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMore than simply repositories for knowledge, libraries support the rule of law and inspire and inform citizens. Ovenden reminds us of their social and political importance, challenging us to protect and support these essential institutions. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Wonderful...full of good stories and burning with passion.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"The sound of a warning vibrates through this book.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003ci\u003eThe Guardian\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Essential reading for anyone concerned with libraries and what Ovenden outlines as their role in 'the support of democracy, the rule of law and open society.'\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003ci\u003eWall Street Journal\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Ovenden emphasizes that attacks on books, archives, and recorded information are the usual practice of authoritarian regimes.\"\u003cbr\u003e--Michael Dirda, \u003ci\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"display:none\"\u003eISBN-10: 0674271106\u003cbr\u003eISBN-13: 9780674271104\u003cbr\u003eAuthor: Ovenden, Richard\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Belknap Press\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Belknap Press","offers":[{"title":"Paperback (May 2022)","offer_id":46081566376133,"sku":"9780674271104","price":18.05,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0708\/6414\/2533\/files\/9780674271104.jpg?v=1776047293","url":"https:\/\/www.inveni.store\/products\/burning-the-books-a-history-of-the-deliberate-destruction-of-knowledge","provider":"Inveni","version":"1.0","type":"link"}