An edition of Fahrenheit 451 (1953)

Fahrenheit 451

  • 3.94 ·
  • 362 Ratings
  • 2270 Want to read
  • 120 Currently reading
  • 549 Have read

My Reading Lists:

Create a new list

Check-In

×Close
Add an optional check-in date. Check-in dates are used to track yearly reading goals.
Today

  • 3.94 ·
  • 362 Ratings
  • 2270 Want to read
  • 120 Currently reading
  • 549 Have read

Buy this book

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

Fahrenheit 451

  • 3.94 ·
  • 362 Ratings
  • 2270 Want to read
  • 120 Currently reading
  • 549 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

Buy this book

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

Add another edition?

Book Details


Published in

New York

Edition Notes

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.



Also contained in:

Excerpts

It was a pleasure to burn.
added by Lisa. "first sentence"

Links outside Open Library

Community Reviews (2)

Feedback?
Pace 1 Medium paced 100% Enjoyability 1 Engaging 100% Clarity 1 Succinct 100% Difficulty 1 Intermediate 100% Breadth 1 Comprehensive 100% Genres 1 Sci-fi 100% Mood 1 Sad 100% Impressions 1 Life changing 100% Length 2 Medium 66% Long 33% Credibility 1 Accurate 100% Features 1 Bibliography 100% Content Warnings 1 Insensitivity 100% Style 1 Technical 100% Purpose 1 Entertainment 100%

History

Download catalog record: RDF / JSON
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