Uncovers a diverse array of destructive events, ranging from ISIS’scultural heritage devastation to Maoist book burnings and Bolshevik desecration.
Iconoclasm, the destruction of images, is part of our history – from the destruction of religious images in early Christianity to today’s toppling of statues of Confederate generals and slave traders. Those who perform such purges – iconoclasts – are convinced they are carrying out an act of purification.

The past has been turned upside down in a desire to start over from the very beginning. The different contributions in the anthology Iconoclasm: Rejecting the Past make the consequences crystal clear. Not just invaluable cultural treasures but also human lives are lost when fanaticism has free rein. There are countless examples of the damage these destructive forces have wrought over the centuries. The battle cry of iconoclasm, which is so strong today, demonstrates its continued appeal. This anthology is a warning bell, an alarm, alerting readers to the threat against the tolerance and openness of democratic society.