Includes bibliographical references (p. [343]-362) and index.

In the cradle of the libraries -- The papyrus region -- Islam of the first days -- People of the book -- Asia before the twentieth century -- The Christian West -- The new biblioclasts -- Peace damages -- An embarrassment of modernity -- Flameproof knowledge -- Epilogue: return to Alexandria.

"A historical survey of the destruction of knowledge from ancient Babylon and China to modern times"--Provided by publisher.