He could have also sold the books cheaply and donated the money to charity.

Seriously, what a moron - I agree - burning books is NOT going to make people read.

There are so many vehciles to dispose of these books that would make so many people happy. By donating books instead of destroying, it might actually GET people to read or read more.

Very well put, Nora - maybe YOU should write a book! LOL.

Libraries and second-hand stores in the area might have been full, but those are only two of many outlets for book donations. Hospitals, women’s shelters, nursing homes, books for the troops drives, school libraries, homeless shelters are a handful of other options. I think making the time and effort–and it would likely take considerable of both–would have been a more positive statement, and a more appropriate symbol in support of literacy than a bonfire.

I look at bookburning like I look at the burning of the flag - a desecration of something beautiful and sacred. You will never convince me that either act has meaning or is for a “good cause”. People use acts of violence to defend their actions - that doesn’t make them right - it only serves to give others the same excuse. It needs to stop.

Dr. Zom - You are working very hard to justify the actions of this bookstore but you still do not say how burning a book will get people to read. Of course the bookstore has promoted literacy in the past. I can only assume that you are purposely not understanding what is at issue here when you take phrases out of context and then do the overly dramatic “I’ll tell him to get on it” crap. Again, your arguments would be more convincing if you spent a bit less time berating and being pithy and a bit more time explaining your argument.

The problem here is with this book burning act which, in my view, is irresponsible. I refrained from saying that or using harsher language in my original post in recognition of the fact these booksellers have provided an invaluable service over time. The problem - what is at issue - is with the owners’ current actions now. Everyone I know in this business donates books and promotes literacy. What they don’t do is promote book burning.

Through the continued condescension you have a basic premise that the calls from CNN et al prove this stunt worked. I disagree. I would argue that what Tom has brought attention to is the issue of book burning not literacy. Again, you don’t convince people to read by burning books. You convince people to read by giving them books and having them get invested in the same. I am greatly relieved to hear that agencies are calling asking for the books. I hope people are calling and offering to take books. But, really, doesn’t that undermine your argument? The fact people do want and need the books was my original point. This suggests that burning them is not a necessary evil as Tom would suggest.

I do wonder what Tom will say in the future when some fringe group out there gets offended by the contents of a book and burns it in a public display. Tom burned books for a cause he believed in. I guess it will be okay with him when others burn books for causes they believe in. That, in my view, is the underlying tragedy of this story. There is a message here that it’s okay to burn a book if you believe your base cause is a worthy one. Very scary.

Tom didn’t start a dialogue on literacy? Somebody’s talking. He’s been on the phone all day talking with CNN, BBC, CBC, Bogata, etc. The phone at the store has been ringing off the hook with people calling from all over the country - some pro, some con. The store has had offers from various agencies that may be better at getting books into prisons and hospitals, so that’s a good thing.

Hand out books for free? Good idea. Prospero’s has given thousands of books away over the years. In fact, Prospero’s leaves books out over night on the sidewalk shelves. And guess what? People don’t even steal them!

Perhaps Tom should have found another way to promote literacy? Aside from owning a bookstore that has been in business for ten years, running a small press, promoting readings and literary events and paying for storage on books no one wants? I’ll tell him to get on it.