Germany is now grappling with a proposed move to print and sell a new critical edition of Mein Kampf when Hitler's automatic 70-year postmortem copyright expires in 2015. It's not clear just yet that we'll be able to preorder so that amazon.de can make sure we get delivery on the day of its release (presumably May 1, 2015 would be the first available day), however. The Bavarian government has played the politically correct card to try to keep it from being published or sold in Germany, despite the fact that it is available everywhere else (and apparently very popular in Gaza).

On the one hand, the book is little more than an extended rant by a sociopath that tragically led to the implementation of most of what it advocated and the deaths of tens of millions of people. On the other hand, it bashes the French...I mean, on the other hand, precisely because of its consequences it is one of the "great books" of history ("infamous" is just as fitting an epithet as "great").

The article got me thinking about censorship of books and the dissemination of ideas, which led me to think about books that are affirmatively chosen for mandatory reading in schools as well. This train of thought was broken by a desire to have breakfast, but when I returned to it I decided to post a survey here.

1. Are there any books that should ever be censored? If so, why? If so, which ones? Who should decide what books are censored and for whom?

I don't think so.

2. Should any books be withheld from libraries in high schools? If so, why? If so, which ones? Who should decide what books are withheld?

Things that might be me understood, yes. I don't think that 'limiting' children actually limits them. The opposite is true, too much exposure, too early, can desensitize a child.

3. Name five books (aside from religious works) that you think have had a massive impact on the world, and at least one that is frequently overlooked on lists of that sort.

Well from my POV
Altnoiland by Herzel for obvious reasons. Same for J'accuse by Emile Zola, though that's not a book, just an open letter.
To lose the Jewish slant, I think Carl von Clauswits's On War. This was a major work influenced by the author's life in the Prussian regiments and a milestone on the way to WWI.
You can add any number of scientific books such as the Origin of Species.


4. Do you think any of the books you listed in point 3 should be read in schools as mandatory reading? Why or why not?

5. Name five books (aside from religious works) that you think SHOULD be mandatory reading in schools (or at least "on the curriculum" if you don't like the word "mandatory"), and why.

6. Do you think schools are too careful in choosing books due to pressure from those who would censor the curriculum? If so, which sorts of books do you feel are unjustly censored?

Not very much. True reading is done by the individual anyway.

7. Do you think schools place too much emphasis on particular themes or ideas when choosing their curriculum? If so, which ones?

8. Are there any authors you would remove from school curricula who are presently well-represented? Why?

9. Are there any authors not represented that you would like to see added generally? Why?

10. Is there ONE book (aside from religious works) that you think EVERYONE should read? If so, what book and why?