The Censorship of the Church of Rome and Its Influence Upon the Production and Distribution of Literature

George Haven Putnam's scholarly study traces the long, uneasy history of censorship in the Christian Church, with special attention to the Roman Catholic Index of prohibited and expurgated books. From the early Church through the modern era, he shows how theology, political power, and institutional rivalry shaped what could be printed, read, and circulated across Europe, while also comparing Catholic practice with Protestant and state censorship. The result is a vivid history of ideas under pressure, where doctrine, heresy, and literary authority were constantly contested. The second volume expands into the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, examining censorship of Scripture, theology, science, philosophy, politics, and the stage, along with the changing methods used by bishops, papal authorities, and modern Church institutions. Putnam also surveys the European book trade and the growing conflict between Church and state. Detailed case studies from France, Holland, England, Germany, and the Netherlands reveal a system that was selective, delayed, and often inconsistent, condemning some influential writers while overlooking others. The book closes by assessing the modern Church's literary policy and the lasting consequences of censorship. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.