book burning

Destroying histories by destroying physical knowledge in the form of books, documents and other paper-based archives, en masse. Usually also a public display of power. Knowledge contained may or may not be stored elsewhere or recoverable.

Instances

Section titled “Instances”

Note

Section titled “Note”
  • not focusing here on other reasons, such as:
    • destruction of books by the author for personal or political reasons
    • burning copies of sacred texts as ritual
    • burning of personal ephemera such as private letters
      • although ‘Burn’ from the musical Hamilton provides commentary on how this can amount to the same thing if done by those who know their position in history in their lifetime
    • accompanying cremation (by choice of the deceased or their family)

Resources

Section titled “Resources”