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Prohibited books Books
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George Haven Putnam
The censorship of the Church of Rome and its influence upon the production and distribution of literature, volume 2 (of 2)
The censorship of the Church of Rome and its influence upon the production and… by George Haven Putnam is a historical study written in the early 20th century. It examines how the Roman Catholic Church’s Index, Inquisition, and related decrees shaped what could be printed, sold, and read, and contrasts these with Protestant and state censorship. The work focuses on the practical machinery of prohibition and expurgation and its consequences for theology, scholarship, and the book trade. The opening of this study maps the territory: first, it surveys seventeenth- and early eighteenth‑century theological controversies in France, the Netherlands, England, and Germany, showing how Protestant writers and even specific “propositions” were condemned through the Index. It then outlines how Scripture was controlled—tracing early printing and Erasmus’s editions, national cases in France, the Low Countries, Spain, and England, the banning of vernacular Bibles, occasional relaxations (1757), and later renewed restrictions (1836). Next, it reviews censorship around the monastic orders: inter‑order quarrels suppressed; extensive debate over Jesuit casuistry and the doctrine of grace (Molina vs. Bañez); the Dominicans’ dominance in censorship and the Reuchlin affair; rules against confession by letter; and disputes between secular clergy and regulars. Finally, it explains the Roman Index under Benedict XIV (1758): its rules, the new reliance on “general decrees” that condemned whole classes of books, examples of notable inclusions and omissions, and the persistent bibliographical and practical limits of the Index system itself.
George Haven Putnam
The censorship of the Church of Rome and its influence upon the production and distribution of literature, volume 1 (of 2)
"The censorship of the Church of Rome and its influence upon the production and… by George Haven Putnam is a historical study written in the early 20th century. It examines how the Roman Catholic Church’s censorship—especially the Index of Prohibited and Expurgated Books and the work of the Inquisition and the Congregation of the Index—shaped what could be written, printed, and circulated. The study also compares Catholic, Protestant, and state censorship and evaluates their impact on the book trade, scholarship, and public opinion. The opening of the work lays out a detailed two-volume plan, then a preface that defines its scope: cataloging Indexes from the mid-16th century to 1900, noting earlier precedents, summarizing key decrees, describing the Roman Inquisition and the Congregation of the Index, and assessing effects on literary production, distribution, and commerce; it also names principal sources (notably Reusch) and explains the method. The introduction traces censorship from an early church ban on the Acta Pauli, shows how printing magnified the stakes, and explains the creation of the papal Index (1559), the more authoritative Tridentine Index (1564), and later practices (including expurgation). It argues the Index doubles as a historical record of literature, outlines how prohibitions affected the value and circulation of books, and notes inconsistencies among different national and ecclesiastical lists. The narrative sketches contrasting enforcement—Spain’s Inquisition as highly effective, France’s Gallican and royal controls more selective, and Italy’s mixed picture with places like Venice resisting Rome. It also touches on limits placed on vernacular Scripture and recurring condemnations of the Talmud, setting the stage for the detailed chapters that follow.
Francis S. (Francis Sales) Betten
The Roman Index of Forbidden Books Briefly Explained for Catholic Booklovers and Students
"The Roman Index of Forbidden Books" by Francis S. Betten is a historical account published in the early 20th century. The book addresses the Catholic Church's censorship of literature, specifically focusing on the Roman Index, a catalog of books deemed inappropriate for Catholics. It provides guidance for Catholic book lovers and students, detailing the Church’s authority and reason for prohibiting certain texts. In this concise treatise, Betten outlines the origins and purpose of the Roman Index, emphasizing the Church's responsibility to safeguard the faith of its followers against harmful literature. The book explains the process by which books are examined and included in the Index, along with the duties of Catholics regarding forbidden literature. It not only summarizes key regulations but also reflects on historical instances when books were condemned or challenged, such as the Galileo case. Overall, it serves as both a practical guide and a defense of the Church’s position on censorship, addressing common misconceptions and justifications surrounding the Index.
P. H. (Peter Hampson) Ditchfield
Books Fatal to Their Authors
"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.
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