{"title":"Lucien X Polastron","description":"\u003cp\u003eDelve into the insightful works of Lucien X. Polastron, a master of book history and culture. Uncover the fascinating stories behind the written word and explore the evolution of literature through the ages.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"books-on-fire-the-tumultuous-story-of-the-world-s-great-libraries-book-lucien-x-polastron-9780500513842","title":"Books on Fire:The Tumultuous Story of the World's Great Libraries","description":"Here is a magisterial history of the destruction of knowledge over the millennia. Hugely impressive in scope, Polastrons book takes the reader on a journey from ancient Mesopotamia to modern times, showing how the urge to write, read and collect books has always gone hand in hand with the impulse to destroy them.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49585651253521,"sku":"GOR005404845","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50738651660561,"sku":"GOR012587528","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52723092357393,"sku":"GOR010095526","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0500513848.jpg?v=1751391170"},{"product_id":"books-on-fire-book-lucien-x-polastron-9781594771675","title":"Books on Fire","description":"A historical survey of the destruction of knowledge from ancient Babylon and China to modern times \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e- Includes the three separate destructions of the Library of Alexandria as well as many equally significant collections around the world \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e- Examines the causes of violence directed at repositories of knowledge \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e- Looks at the dangers posed by digitalization of books to the free availability of knowledge in the future \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHebrew, Hindu, Nordic, and Islamic traditions share the belief of a vast library existing before the creation of the world. The Vedas say that this library predated the creator's creation of himself. Yet, almost as old as the idea of the library is the urge to destroy it. The reasons cited for this are many: educated people are much harder to govern, and some proclaim that only the illiterate can save the world. There are also great destructions brought about by weather, worms, and even the paranoia of the library's owner. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooks on Fire\u003c\/i\u003e traces the history of this perpetual destruction from the burning of the great library of Alexandria (on three separate occasions) and the libraries of the Chinese Qing Dynasty to more modern catastrophic losses such as those witnessed in Nazi-occupied Europe and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The author examines the causes for these disasters, the treasures that have been lost, and where the surviving books, if any, have ended up. His investigation also reveals a new danger facing libraries today with the digitalization of books threatening both the existence of the physical paper book and the very idea of reading for free. The promise of an absolute library offered by the computer may well turn out to equal the worst nightmares of Ray Bradbury, Aldous Huxley, and George Orwell. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooks on Fire\u003c\/i\u003e received the 2004 Soci t  des Gens de Lettres Prize for Nonfiction\/History in Paris.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49618325995793,"sku":"GOR005933549","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50097528275217,"sku":"GOR011122535","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50764580225297,"sku":"CIN1594771677G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1594771677.jpg?v=1750895384"},{"product_id":"introduction-to-chinese-calligraphy-book-lucien-x-polastron-9780764352423","title":"An Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy","description":"With 142 photos and these short, step-by-step lessons from a master Chinese calligrapher, you can enjoy the basics of the beautiful characters of Chinese. Begin by learning the history and traditions of this art form, and the techniques of using the \"four treasures\": the brush and other basic tools. Learn the correct body position, and how to hold the brush. Then practice calligraphy in the Kaishu style, with clear instructions and easy exercises to guide you. First you will learn 19 basic strokes. You can then combine them to write Chinese characters, and finally, four chengyu(proverbs). A selection of calligraphy artworks by contemporary artists is also included to inspire you.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":52817226006801,"sku":"CIN0764352423G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":53445237014801,"sku":"NGR9780764352423","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":53456922116369,"sku":"NIN9780764352423","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9780764352423.jpg?v=1764272783"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/en-au\/collections\/author-books-by-lucien-x-polastron.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}