The Surprising History of Banned Books
So, here’s to the rebels of the Renaissance and beyond—those who dared to read what wasn’t allowed. Let’s honor their legacy by keeping the conversation going, one book at a time.
-
-
Discover the Magic of Libraries in ‘The Library: A Fragile History’
“A library is a hospital for the mind.” — Anonymous medieval proverb (15th–16th c.) Recently, I was lolling at Barnes & Noble and browsing without purpose. I picked up a book that immediately got my attention. It was The Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen. And friends, let me tell…
-
Explore the Colorful Life of a 15th-Century Abbot
Have you ever stumbled across a historical figure so colorful and so intriguing? You just want to invite them to coffee—or maybe a pub—just to hear their stories firsthand. Well, meet Raphael de Mercatellis. He lived life at the intersection of privilege and power. His life also embodied piety and a passion for the written…
-
Reblog: Early Bookcases, Cupboards & Carousels
Scholars, translators, transcribers and writers have always needed to have multiple books and other resources within easy reach. Illustrated manuscripts give us a good look at how medieval scribes stored and arranged their often large and hefty books. In the image above, Saint Jerome, identified by the halo, red galero and the lion with a…