Banning Books in America: Not a How-To

This inconsistent anthology from English literature scholar Cohen (After the End of History) invites readers to “engage with a wider range of ideas about the current moment’s frenzy of hostility to books.” Some of the essays deliver unique points of view. Emily Drabinski, the first openly LGBTQ+ president of the American Library Association, describes the hateful political attacks against her and her organization during her tenure. Annie’s Foundation board member Emily Harris shares how her organization, which advocates for students’ right to read, was founded by ordinary parents pushing back against conservative group Moms for Liberty. New York City teacher Annie Abrams illustrates how Bill Gates’s philanthropic efforts to promote Common Core standards led to a “broad turn away from liberal education” and incentivized teaching short passages rather than complete literary works. But other contributions strike off notes. Novelist Lydia Millet bemoans her books never having been banned, suggesting an appearance on a banned books list is a badge of honor or a sales tactic. Georgia Tech professor Aaron Santesso takes a similar tack but with 18th-century literature, his academic specialty. Chronicle of Higher Education columnist Leonard Cassuto critiques “absolutist stances” on both sides of the political spectrum. With contributions ranging from eye-opening to exasperating, this doesn’t always rise to the occasion. (Feb.)