A Universal History of the Destruction of Books
Subtitle: From Ancient Sumer to Modern Iraq
By: Fernando Báez ; translated from the Spanish by Alfred MacAdam.
Contributors: Mac Adam, Alfred J., 1941-
Publisher: Atlas & Co.; Distributed to the trade by W.W. Norton
Published: 2008
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 354
ISBN-13: 9781934633014
Subjects: Prohibited books -- History; Libraries and state -- History; Censorship -- History; Libraries -- Destruction and pillage -- History
Work titles: Historia universal de la destrucción de libros.
Description: A product of ten years of research and support from leading American and European universities, A Universal History of the Destruction of Books traces a tragic story: the smashed tablets of ancient Sumer, the widespread looting of libraries in post-war Iraq, the leveling of the Library of Alexandria, book burnings by Crusaders and Nazis, and censorship against authors past and present. With diligence and grace, Báez mounts a compelling investigation into the motives behind the destruction of books, reading man's violence against writing as a perverse anti-creation. His findings ultimately attest to the lasting power of books as the great human repository of knowledge and memory, fragile yet vital bulwarks against the intransigence and barbarity of every age.--From publisher description.
Notes: "Orignally published as Historia universal de la destrucción de libros: De las tablillas sumericas a la Guerra de Irak, Ediciones Destinos, S.A., Barcelona, 2004"--T.p. verso.

A Universal History of the Destruction of Books traces a tragic story: the smashed tablets of ancient Sumer, the widespread looting of libraries in post-war Iraq, the leveling of the Library of Alexandria, book burnings by Crusaders and Nazis, and censorship against authors past and present. 

Translation of: Historia universal de la destrucción de libros.  

Includes bibliographical references (p. [283]-336) and index.