Author: Jason Royce Lindsey File Type: pdf Concealing the state frees us from admitting the unpleasant truth-in todays world we are utterly dependent upon the states increasingly frantic efforts to control risk. To this end, states have created systems of coercion and surveillance that are difficult to reconcile with our theories of political legitimacy. The dominant ideology of contemporary politics has become the concealment of the states overwhelming power and role in daily life. We prefer the comfortable illusion that we are autonomous individuals pursuing our plans in a free market. If we hold fast to that idea, then our distance from policy makers and dwindling political influence seems less important. Nonetheless, this book draws upon the anarchist tradition and a wide range of accessible policy examples (ranging from military organization and environmental regulations to scientific investment and education) to reveal the active role of contemporary states behind this ideological screen. Lindsey argues that we need a new politics that focuses on exposing and challenging the contemporary states hidden agency. Otherwise, how can we democratically control the state when it denies, from the outset, having the ability to meet our demands?

Author: Kenneth Baker File Type: epub In this revealingly illustrated book, the political sage Kenneth Baker records the many times throughout history when books have been burnt for political, religious, or personal reasons. Ranging politically from Ancient China to the Nazis, from Animal Farm to Chairman Mao religiously, from the Spanish destruction of the Aztec civilisation to Bloody Mary, from Salman Rushdies The Satanic Verses to bibles in Islamist strongholds today personally, from Samuel Pepys and Lord Byron to Dickenss letters, Hardys poems, Burtons translations, and Philip Larkins diaries. Alongside these telling examples are chapters on burning in war, accidental burning, royal burning and lucky escapes. Baker reveals that while books, diaries and letters can be burnt, as a result of the invention of the printing press in the 16th century, very rarely can their content be expunged from the written record in history - the delete button did not delete. Book burning today survives as a symbol, usually by desperate regimes, dictators and religious fanatics to impress the naive, warn the dissenter and rally the faithful. **Review Lavishly illustrated and engagingly written. (Times Literary Supplement) The torching of paper and boards may turnmanuscripts and books into ashes, but as Baker shows, the words, thoughts, ideas, and feelings that censorshoped to destroy often live on, even gaining power. An illuminating and thought-provoking book about therole books have played in social turmoil. (Booklist) Lavish illustrations...elegant prose. On the Burning of Books wears its scholarship lightly. Bakers compendium of punchy, textual-pictorial examples covers the ground from Caliph Omar, destroyer of the Library of Alexandria, Goebbelss bibliocaust, Bomber Harriss fiery raids on Leipsig and Dresden, and the Bradford protestors who tied a copy of The Satanic Verses to a stake and tried to incinerate it. Bakers book is irresistible for the things one didnt know. (Spectator) On the Burning of Books is an informative book on a hot topic. [A] sumptuously illustrated survey of book burning and book censorship through the ages. (New Statesman) [An] inspiring history, testament to the brave and raspberry to intolerance. (The Times) Bakers account of books burnt down the ages for political, religious or personal reasons is frighteningly pertinent and apposite. AsBaker explains in his directly and devastatingly written survey, the impetus for arson and intimidation goes back to earliest times, and even this venerable newspaper hasnt been immune....The lesson of On The Burning Of Books is that the destruction goes on - plenty of bonfires are reaching Fahrenheit 451, the temperature at which, as Ray Bradbury said, books burst into flame. (Daily Mail) Richly illustrated and printed on high quality art paper, this book is a delectable treat for lovers of literature, history and many other disciplines besides. (The Commonwealth Lawyer) There are many studies in print about book burning and censorship, but none as even tempered and sanguine as BakersOn the Burning of Books.Its brisk accounts and handsome design signify the bibliophiles last laugh and stylish confidence that books ultimately prevail. Furthermore, he widens his lens to include a range of motives for burning that is, while every book destroyed is a book unloved, some burners act for reasons other than ideological cleansing.Bakers pleasure in narrating the anecdotes is his books secret sauce.On the Burning of Booksis gorgeous, its photography of authors and artifacts generously displayed. (On the Seawall) About the Author Kenneth Baker, Baron Baker of Dorking, is a British politician and a former Conservative MP, having served in the cabinet as Secretary of State for Education and as Home Secretary. His previous books include George III A Life in Caricature and George IV A Life in Caricature.