Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This is a must read book!! But I will say that I have a totally different point of view to the story than what most, in fact, all the reviews and editorials I have seen. I am not a bookworm and so the idea that books are gone is not an apocalyptic idea. The book was written before the internet and the information age. It is WHY the books are burned and WHAT the books represent that should open your eyes and minds while reading this book. If all you get out of this book is the "removal" of books from society to become more connected to our electronic devices I feel so bad for you. The point of burning the books is explained. I might give just a couple of spoilers, but everyone knows the premise of 1984 and this book is similar. It is so much more than about books. It is about censorship and the people wanting it. The government has banned all printed material except for comic books, 3D pornographic magazines, "good old confessions" and trade journals. All other printed material is deemed too offensive to someone. So much in-fighting in society because everyone claiming something offends them. So to make everyone happy, the offensive materials are removed. Because of the year this was written (1953) Ray Bradbury could have not envisioned the internet. If he had, it would have been heavily censored also. In 1953 ideas and knowledge were shared through print as they had been for hundreds of years. According to the book, the people wanted the offensive materials removed. Because everyone is offended by something then everything is offensive, it must all be destroyed. For me the novel rings true about how easily people are offended by another person's ideas, thoughts, actions, beliefs. In the story those things are still allowed (they can't control what you think), but without being able to write them down ideas and thoughts die pretty fast. Ultimately the story is about freedom and not being so judgmental of others lest ye be judged. If you look around today, 11/4/2017, this story has never been more relevant. We have protests and attacks in the streets daily based on ideals and beliefs that clash with others. These clashes occur, rather than people going their separate ways and understanding that the beliefs and ideals of others are just as legitimate as their own. Some groups would rather have a scorched earth policy and destroy everything they hold dear, as long as the other side loses everything as well.