Banned & Burned Books: Knowledge Is Power

Book bannings are the first sign of a totalitarian regime taking over. And they're common throughout history.

Book bannings are the first sign of a totalitarian regime taking over. And they're comm... more

Curated byMichelle Krasovitski, Hark Contributor

9 CLIPS30 MINS

Clip 1 of 9

An Argument for Making All Books & Ideas Available

How free should information be? Ryan Holiday offers a meditation on why we should not ban books—any books.

An Argument for Making All Books & Ideas Available

The Daily Stoic

2 MINS

Clip 2 of 9

Why Ancient Rulers Targeted Enemy Libraries

In this clip, historian and author Richard Ovenden recounts the fascinating case of an Assyrian king who targeted enemy libraries, indicating that leaders’ instinct to inhibit education is not a new phenomenon.

Why Ancient Rulers Targeted Enemy Libraries

New Books in Literary Studies

2 MINS

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The Burning of the Library of Alexandria in 48 BCE

The burning of the Library of Alexandria in 48 BCE was a casualty of a contentious war between Julius Caesar, Cleopatra and Ptolemy VIII. It's a loss that has come to serve as a warning about the value of knowledge and education.

The Unusual Show

4 MINS

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America’s First Banned Book Wasn't a Fan of the Puritans

Historian and author Peter C. Mancall tells the story of the Puritans banning 'The New Canaan' by Thomas Morton for its negative portrayal of them.

America’s First Banned Book Wasn't a Fan of the Puritans

Story Search From Special Collections

5 MINS

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The Burning of the Library of Congress in the 1800s

While the War of 1812 raged in America, the British Army attacked and burned down the Library of Congress. Historian Richard Ovenden explains the motivations for the British to burn down their enemy’s library.

The Burning of the Library of Congress in the 1800s

New Books in Literary Studies

3 MINS

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Donald Duck's Banning in Chile in 1971 Was a Political & Corporate Censure

‘How to Read Donald Duck,' published in 1971, is a critique of Disney’s promotion of capitalism. In Chile, under then President Pinochet, it was subject to public book burnings. In the U.S., Disney effectively censored it through legal maneuvers.

Donald Duck's Banning in Chile in 1971 Was a Political & Corporate Censure

The Book Drop

4 MINS

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A 1984 Bookshop Raid to Censor LGBTQ+ Works

Tash Walker and Adam Zmith of ‘The Log Books’ recount a 1984 raid in which officers arrested the owners of a gay book shop in London. Police confiscated more than 140 titles, and the shop was charged with conspiracy to import indecent books.

A 1984 Bookshop Raid to Censor LGBTQ+ Works

The Log Books

2 MINS

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A Library is Pillaged in Timbuktu in 2013

Bridget Kendall speaks to historians Dr. Gus Casley-Hayford, Dr. Susana Molins-Lliteras and Dr. Lansine Kaba about the pillaging of a library in Timbuktu by Islamist insurgents in 2013.

A Library is Pillaged in Timbuktu in 2013

The Forum

3 MINS

Clip 9 of 9

Book Bans Are on the Rise in the 2020s

Jenn White peaks to reporter Miranda Suarez following a banning in South Lake, TX. After a teacher assigned a reading list including books on race, parents voiced their displeasure. The school publicly reprimanded the teacher.

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2 MINS

Curated byMichelle Krasovitski

9 CLIPS30 MINS

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Banned & Burned Books: Knowledge Is Power

An Argument for Making All Books & Ideas Available

The Daily Stoic

Why Ancient Rulers Targeted Enemy Libraries

New Books in Literary Studies

The Burning of the Library of Alexandria in 48 BCE

The Unusual Show

America’s First Banned Book Wasn't a Fan of the Puritans

Story Search From Special Collections

The Burning of the Library of Congress in the 1800s

New Books in Literary Studies

Donald Duck's Banning in Chile in 1971 Was a Political & Corporate Censure

The Book Drop

A 1984 Bookshop Raid to Censor LGBTQ+ Works

The Log Books

A Library is Pillaged in Timbuktu in 2013

The Forum

Book Bans Are on the Rise in the 2020s

1A

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