Censorship

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9 Censorship in its various forms is presented in a historical perspective, including a brief discussion of who attempts to censor and why. Several specific early and contemporary trials concerning seditious libel and obscenity, as well as issues and legal cases concerning freedom of the press versus national security and freedom of expression in the publishing, movie, recording, and television industries are discussed. Taylor presents a well organized, lucidly written overview of the nature and history of censorship and current threats in our country. While The Right to Be Informed: Censorship in the United States (Messner, 1976; o.p.) by Gerald S. Snyder has more detailed background about such censorship cases as Victor Marchetti's and Daniel Ellsberg's legal struggles with freedom of expression and national security, Taylor's Censorship is a well-rounded introductory overview and a good complement to more in-depth studies that zero in on specific areas of censorship. Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukee, Oreg.