Lost Libraries by Linda Hill

Lost Libraries explores the profound consequences of losing these vital institutions, emphasizing that their destruction represents not just the loss of books but an attack on collective memory and future potential.
From the ancient Library of Alexandria to the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, and the National Library in Sarajevo, these losses highlight the fragility of knowledge. Consider the House of Wisdom, once a beacon of intellectual advancement during Islam's Golden Age, reduced to ashes, or the Library of Alexandria, whose demise meant the potential loss of countless classical works.

The book delves into why libraries become targets, examining motivations ranging from religious zealotry and political censorship to military strategy.
By investigating these historical events through a chronological and thematic approach, it argues that understanding these losses is crucial for informing strategies for safeguarding knowledge and promoting intellectual freedom.

Ultimately, the book uses diverse sources, from archaeological reports to eyewitness accounts, to offer a nuanced view of how these destructions have shaped history and continue to resonate today.