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Introduction
This timeline covers books that were subjected to burnings by individuals or groups over the course of three centuries -
Hitel (Credit) by Count István Széchenyi
Count István Széchenyi a nobleman turned Hungarian reformer wrote Hitel (Credit) in it he argued that the nobility's privileges which include not having to pay taxes discouraged Hungary's economy to grow. This book along with others were publicly burned by angry nobles.
Citation: Széchenyi, István. (1825) Hitel.
Széchenyi is credited as the publisher as well as the author. -
The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
The Story of My Life is an autobiography by Helen Keller about her early life. Helen Keller became blind and deaf as a result of an illness when she was younger. This book along with her other books were burned during the Nazis book burning campaign in 1933 because of her outspoken advocacy for issues against Nazi beliefs and due to her disability.
Citation for book: Keller, Helen. (1903). The Story of My Life. Doubleday, Page & Co. -
The Mass Psychology of Fascism by Wilhelm Reich
In The Mass Psychology of Fascism Reich analyzes German society specifically sexuality to explain why Germans 'chose' Fascism (Nazism) over Communism. In 1956, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration oversaw the burning of six tons of this book along with Reich's other books and papers.
Citation: Reich, Wilhelm. (1933). The Mass Psychology of Fascism. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Note: Originally published in German. The English translation was debuted in 1946. -
Operation Dark Heart: Spycraft and special ops on the frontlines of Afghanistan and the path to victory by Anthony Shaffer
Operation Dark Heart is Lieutenant Colonel Shaffer's memoir about his time leading a black-ops team in Afghanistan in order to block the Taliban's resurgence. The Department of Defense purchased 9,500 copies of the book and destroyed them as the books contained government secrets that could potentially risk national security. The book was eventually republished with parts redacted.
Citation: Shaffer, Anthony. (2010). Operation Dark Heart. St. Martin's Press. -
Harry Potter book series by J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter books are beloved by many and has become a large part of popular culture since the first book was published in 1997. The series is about a boy named Harry Potter and his adventures/misadventures as a wizard at Hogwarts. The book series was subjected to burnings both in the United States and most recently in Poland.
Citation: Rowling, J. K. (1997) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Bloomsbury.