Banned Books: History of Book Banning

Bannings and Burnings in History is a comprehensive list of book bans that have happened around the world going as far back as 259 BC. It is a testament to the idea that there have always been people trying to silence ideas they do not like, and simultaneously a showing of the power of literature to endure through time.

The History of Book Bans--and their Changing Targets--in the United States is a National Geographic article that recounts a brief history of book banning from early colonial times to the present. This article provides insight into how the targets of book bans have shifted through the years to adapt the pressing social issues of the time.

A Brief History of Banned Books in America from the Smithsonian Magazine provides both a written and audio option to learn about the ways book bans have changed through the years. Formatted as an interview with a librarian, there are some good insights in this piece.

Manuscripts Don't Burn from PEN America is a recounting of notorious book bans from all over the world, dating back for hundreds of years. This guide highlights the things not discussed in typical articles about American book bans and goes to show the larger issue at hand when discussing matters of censorship.