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birdwithsword's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
3.25
Interesting topic, but can slip into droning a bit, although it improves as the book goes on. Could also have done without many of the endless references to the Bodleian. Still, I learned a lot about libraries I'd have never heard of otherwise.
mogreig's review against another edition
4.0
Essential reading for anyone concerned about how authority manipulates us and attempts to change society.
Definitely on my shelf for re-reading
Definitely on my shelf for re-reading
waynediane's review against another edition
3.0
The first 4 chapters a real slog, didn't think I would finish. Then burning the books in the war of 1812 and how books are the recorded history of civilizations. Made me think about ISIS destroying all the cultural artifacts to erase history. I bet he wished that his book had come out now, and he had written a chapter about Trumps trashing all the National Archives and his cryptic texts.
hewlettelaine's review against another edition
4.0
A really excellent book about the preservation of knowledge and the importance of archives and libraries in this work, often in the face of repeated attack and destruction. A must-read for anyone in LIS but important for everyone who cares about information and how a society can and should preserve what we know.