Issue To what extent do free expression and the open exchange of ideas define us as Americans? Starter "Ten years ago the Nazis burned these books . . . but free Americans can still read them," poster distributed by the Division of Public Inquiries, Office of War Information (1943) From the Northwestern University Library Focus Questions Why do you think the Office of War Information during World War II focused on book burning to contrast Nazi Germany with the United States? What is the importance to our country of our freedom to read books banned elsewhere? Do you think the freedom to read books has the same meaning to Americans today as it did to Americans during World War II? If so, why? If not, are there related freedoms that would appeal more strongly to Americans today? Suggested Resources Guy Stern, "The Burning of the Books in Nazi Germany, 1933: The American Response" The Government Publications Department at Northwestern University Library has a comprehensive collection of over 300 posters issued by U.S. Federal agencies from the onset of war through 1945. The American Library Association, "Book Burning" More resources for this topic Starters for this topic: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  All (.pdf) Note: The views expressed here have not been approved by the House of Delegates or the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association, and accordingly, should not be construed as representing the policy of the American Bar Association, nor do they represent the official position or policies of the ABA Standing Committee on Public Education.