Ditchfield, P. H. (Peter Hampson) 1854-1930 creator text utu 2005 monographic en 1 online resource : multiple file formats "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.) 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. Release date is 2005-07-01 Text file produced by Anne Soulard, Eric Eldred and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team The HTML file produced by David Widger Original publication data not identified Authors Prohibited books Z Original publication data not identified https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8485 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8485 UtSlPG 260607 20260610133222.0 8485