Book Banning in America: A Reference Handbook

Debates over the constitutional, political, and cultural implications of book bans and censorship efforts in the USA have intensified in these politically polarized times.

This guidebook provides a one-stop resource for understanding every facet of modern book banning campaigns, as well as their impact on school systems, public libraries, students, parents, educators, and the long-term health and vitality of American communities and culture.

The book explains the political and cultural factors driving the modern surge in book banning efforts in schools and libraries across America. It also discusses the arguments against book bans most often raised by advocates for free speech and intellectual freedom. In addition, Book Banning in America features a rich blend of personal and scholarly essays and primary documents to illuminate the perspectives and concerns of all sides of the book banning/censorship debate. These resources will enable readers to gain a greater understanding of well-known and influential book banning campaigns and book censorship efforts from the nation's earliest years of independence to the present day.