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Ten Most Harmful Books of the 19th and 20th Centuries

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Ten Most Harmful Books of the 19th and 20th Centuries

Conservative Paranoia

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=7591
from JoeUser Forums
So, what are the most "harmful" books according to the ultra-conservative panel?

01. The Communist Manifesto - Karl Marx and Freidrich Engels
02. Mein Kampf - Adolf Hitler
03. Quotations from Chairman Mao (aka The Little Red Book) - Mao Zedong
04. Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (aka The Kinsey Report) - Alfred Kinsey
05. Democracy and Education - John Dewey
06. Das Kapital - Karl Marx
07. The Feminine Mystique - Betty Friedan
08. The Course of Positive Philosophy - Auguste Comte
09. Beyond Good and Evil - Freidrich Nietzsche
10. General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money - John Maynard Keynes

Politics, sexuality, feminism, and economics are the topics that are most harmful from the conservative viewpoint? Perhaps that should be to the conservative viewpoint. It's interesting to note that Charles Darwin's "Origin of the Species" and "Descent of Man" only got honourable (or I guess dishonourable in this case) mentions but couldn't crack the top 10. I also find it funny that a top ten list contains thirty titles in all (a right wing conspiracy?).

A meaningless post for a meaningless list.
10,416 views 30 replies
Reply #26 from JoeUser Forums Top
What does The Holy Bible, The U.S. Constitution and The Origin of a Species have in common?

Each are quoted by supporters and detractors who never bothered to actually read them!! ;~D
Reply #27 from JoeUser Forums Top
There are lots of books with questionable content, many of which I would not allow my children (if I had any) to read. But no book should ever be banned. Period. And anyone on any side who thinks some should is being closed minded and pointlessly biased. When it comes to banning books it seems the most common reasons in this country nowadays are banning them in schools, protecting the children. Let parents make decisions about protecting their children, require it of them if neccesary. Leave art, philosophy and ideas alone.
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Reply #28 from JoeUser Forums Top

Personally, I agree that the thoughts presented in some of those books seriously undermined standards of morality. In that sense they might be deemed "harmful". And very few would argue that "Mein Kampf", which expresses the ideologies of Hitler, is "harmful" in that sense. For that matter, Mao's little red book fits the bill.

Any book, in the wrong hands can be considered harmful.  Just like a gun.  The book in an of itself is just an expression of ideas, and expression of ideas (except in the non-verbal sense) are not harmful.

Reply #29 from JoeUser Forums Top
Let's not forget the dangerous books which aren't even allowed to be published. That list only includes the books fortunate enough to be printed. Check out the unpublished book written by a Mr. Scott, The War Conspiracy. The CIA stepped in and no one would publish it. Too bad too. Great insights into US big oil companies lobbying for intervention in SouthEast Asia. Once the dust settled the US oil gained access to Indochinese oil deposits. Say what you wish about it, but it's a definite fact they gained control of the oil deposits after the attack against South Vietnam.
Reply #30 from JoeUser Forums Top
But no book should ever be banned. Period.


The problem is, nowhere does anyone presenting this list propose a ban.