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Burning the Books: RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK
A History of Knowledge Under Attack
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Check link for latest rating. ( 1,698 ratings, 278 reviews)
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Format: Paperback / softback
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'A stark and important warning about the value of knowledge . . . Vital reading for this day and age' PETER FRANKOPAN
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Description
An unforgettable 3,000-year-old journey—from Mesopotamian clay tablets trying to predict the future, to Tudor book-hunters and Nazi bonfires, and on into the dangers of our increasingly digital existence, Burning the Books shows how the preservation of knowledge is vital for the survival of civilisation itself.
'A wonderful book, full of good stories and burning with passion' SUNDAY TIMES, BOOKS OF THE YEAR
'Compelling, fascinating and rewarding' LITERARY REVIEW
'When books burn, it is more than just words under attack... this extraordinary book should stir us to thinking and to action' FINANCIAL TIMES
'A tale of ingenuity and deep courage' GUARDIAN
'A stark warning—the truth itself is under attack' THE TIMES, BOOKS OF THE YEAR
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Burning the Books by Richard Ovenden is praised for its passionate defence of libraries and archives amidst the challenges posed by fake news and digitalisation. Critics highlight the book's engaging storytelling, rich historical perspective, and Ovenden's dedication to preserving knowledge. The book has been described as both timely and authoritative, urging a recognition and defence of libraries as essential to our cultural heritage and collective memory.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781529378771
Publisher: John Murray Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 27 May 2021
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: John Murray Publishers Ltd
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 260g
Pages: 320
About the Author
Richard Ovenden OBE is the 25th Bodley's Librarian (since the post was set up in 1600) at the Bodelian Library in Oxford. Since 1987 he has worked in a number of important archives and libraries, including the House of Lords Library, the National Library of Scotland (as a Curator of Rare Books) and in the University of Edinburgh, where he was Director of Collections. He is an Honorary Fellow of St Hugh's College, Oxford and holds a Professorial Fellowship at Balliol College, Oxford. His writing has been frequently published in major newspapers and online platforms.
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