02568cam a22003253u 4500 8485 UtSlPG 20260610133222.0 m cr n 260607r2005||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 Z Ditchfield, P. H. (Peter Hampson), 1854-1930 Books Fatal to Their Authors Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2005 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2005-07-01 Theology -- Fanatics and free-thinkers -- Astrology, alchemy, and magic -- Science and philosophy -- History -- Politics and statesmanship -- Satire -- Poetry -- Drama and romance -- Booksellers and publishers -- Some literary martyrs. Text file produced by Anne Soulard, Eric Eldred and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team The HTML file produced by David Widger "Books Fatal to Their Authors" by P. H. Ditchfield is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book explores the perilous relationship between authors and their writings throughout history, particularly focusing on those who faced severe consequences—including imprisonment or execution—due to the controversial nature of their works. Through various historical examples, it examines the folly of certain authors whose innovative ideas drew the ire of ruling powers and institutions, ultimately leading to their tragic downfalls. The opening of the work presents an engaging preface aimed at the book-lover, which sets the tone for the exploration of literary persecution. Ditchfield discusses the capricious nature of fortune for writers, highlighting the importance of freedom in literary expression while lamenting the often violent repercussions faced by those who dared to challenge societal norms. The introduction continues with a brief overview of the authors and themes that will be discussed in subsequent chapters, such as the theological debates of the Reformation and the tumultuous lives of figures like Michael Molinos and William Tyndale, showcasing the rich tapestry of tragic tales that will be detailed throughout the book. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Authors Prohibited books https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8485 50467 50467