An edition of Fahrenheit 451 (1953)

Fahrenheit 451

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  • 4.0 (380 ratings) ·
  • 2,497 Want to read
  • 128 Currently reading
  • 585 Have read

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Last edited by PeterMacTroy
December 29, 2023 | History
An edition of Fahrenheit 451 (1953)

Fahrenheit 451

  • 4.0 (380 ratings) ·
  • 2,497 Want to read
  • 128 Currently reading
  • 585 Have read

Celebrate this timeless classic with this exclusive commemorative edition featuring a new introduction by the author and a message that is more relevant today than when it was published.

Since the late 1940s, Ray Bradbury has been revered for his works of science fiction and fantasy. With more than five million copies in print, Fahrenheit 451—originally published in 1953—remains his most acclaimed work.

The story takes place in a bleak, hedonistic future where ideas are illegal and thinking is discouraged as people pursue lives of mindless happiness. In this world, firemen don’t put out fires—they start them—specifically, to any home containing that most forbidden of possessions: the printed book.

Fireman Guy Montag enjoys his work. But his pleasure turns to ash when a free-thinking young neighbour kindles his imagination, and he discovered “that books are flesh and blood ideas and cry out silently when put to the torch.” When the woman vanishes, Montag starts smuggling home that which he would destroy, and begins an irrevocable—and dangerous—journey down the long path to freedom.
—front flap

Publish Date
Publisher
Simon & Schuster
Language
English
Pages
191

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Previews available in: English Chinese

Edition Availability
Cover of: Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451
2013-06, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks
Trade Paperback in English - Simon & Schuster trade paperback edition (12); 60th Anniversary Edition
Cover of: 华氏451
华氏451
2005, Zhong qing chu ban she
paperback in Chinese
Cover of: Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451
2003, Simon & Schuster
hardcover in English
Cover of: Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451
1996-08, Del Rey / Random House
paperback in English - 1st trade ed. (20)
Cover of: Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451
/1993, Del Rey / Ballantine Books
mass market paperback in English - First edition, second printing (25)
Cover of: Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451
/1993, FollettBound
library binding in English - 1991 Second printing (45)
Cover of: Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451
1991, Del Rey / Ballantine Books
mass market paperback in English - First edition, second printing
Cover of: Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451
1986, Macmillan of Canada
paperback in English
Cover of: Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451
1984-06, Del Rey / Ballantine Books
mass market paperback in English - Sixty-first printing
Cover of: Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451
1960, Corgi Books
Paperback in English - Corgi edition reprint

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Book Details


Edition Notes

Published in
New York
Copyright Date
2003

The Physical Object

Format
hardcover
Pagination
190p.
Number of pages
191

ID Numbers

Open Library
OL49341783M
ISBN 10
1607511665
ISBN 13
9781607511663
Goodreads
53261313

Work Description

Fahrenheit 451 is a 1953 dystopian novel by American writer Ray Bradbury. Often regarded as one of his best works, the novel presents a future American society where books are outlawed and "firemen" burn any that are found. The book's tagline explains the title as "'the temperature at which book paper catches fire, and burns": the autoignition temperature of paper. The lead character, Guy Montag, is a fireman who becomes disillusioned with his role of censoring literature and destroying knowledge, eventually quitting his job and committing himself to the preservation of literary and cultural writings.

The novel has been the subject of interpretations focusing on the historical role of book burning in suppressing dissenting ideas for change. In a 1956 radio interview, Bradbury said that he wrote Fahrenheit 451 because of his concerns at the time (during the McCarthy era) about the threat of book burning in the United States. In later years, he described the book as a commentary on how mass media reduces interest in reading literature.

In 1954, Fahrenheit 451 won the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature and the Commonwealth Club of California Gold Medal. It later won the Prometheus "Hall of Fame" Award in 1984 and a "Retro" Hugo Award, one of a limited number of Best Novel Retro Hugos ever given, in 2004. Bradbury was honored with a Spoken Word Grammy nomination for his 1976 audiobook version.



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Excerpts

It was a pleasure to burn.
added by Lisa.

first sentence

Links outside Open Library

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History

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December 29, 2023 Edited by PeterMacTroy Edited without comment.
December 20, 2023 Edited by ImportBot import existing book
December 19, 2023 Edited by ImportBot import existing book
September 26, 2023 Edited by Lisa reverted to revision 21
October 17, 2009 Created by WorkBot add works page