7 Banned Books That Will Help You Level Up
Books that question the current quo, challenge power, or propagate ideas deemed too harmful have been banned, restricted, or even burnt throughout history. However, these same books frequently offer wisdom that has the capacity to alter our thoughts, behaviors, and way of life.
Here are seven forbidden novels you should read at least once in your life if you’re searching for reading material that will help you level up, broaden your perspective, and improve your thinking.
1. The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
One of the most influential works about living under authoritarian government is The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. It revealed the atrocities of the Soviet forced labor camp system, where millions of political prisoners perished, when it was first published in 1973.
Because it exposed unsettling facts about communism and the misuse of state authority, the book was outlawed in the Soviet Union for many years. Today’s reading serves as a sobering reminder of how brittle freedom may be and how crucial it is to prevent tyranny.
How it aids in leveling up:
demonstrates human power in the face of injustice, which increases resilience.
improves your comprehension of political structures and their impact on people’s lives.
serves as a reminder that truth, even when suppressed, has the power to transform the world.
2. 1984 by George Orwell
The iconic dystopian novel about surveillance, propaganda, and the distortion of reality is George Orwell’s 1984. It was published in 1949 and portrays a totalitarian world in which “Big Brother” keeps tabs on everything and free thought is suppressed.
Because of its depressing view and political issues, the book has been contested or banned in several nations. However, it is precisely the reason it is a must-read. Today more than ever, Orwell’s cautions about mass monitoring, doublespeak, and censorship are pertinent.
How it aids in leveling up:
teaches you to avoid manipulation and recognize misinformation.
aids in challenging narratives propagated by the media or authorities.
promotes individual thinking in a society that emphasizes conformity.
3. The Sovereign Individual by James Dale Davidson & William Rees-Mogg
Many of the current technical and economic developments, including the emergence of digital markets, the fall of nation-states, and cryptocurrencies, were foreseen in The Sovereign Individual, which was published in 1997.
Although it was never outright prohibited in the conventional sense, its concepts have frequently been repressed due to its opposition to established institutions. The book makes the case that although people who depend on antiquated systems may suffer, those who embrace decentralization and digital freedom will prosper.
How it aids in leveling up:
offers a road plan for achieving both financial and personal autonomy.
gets you ready for changes in government, employment, and technology.
encourages thoughtful consideration of upcoming prospects.
4. The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin
This book is essential reading if you wish to comprehend banking, money, and the reasons behind the functioning of the financial system. The formation of the Federal Reserve and the impact of central banks on international economies are extensively covered in The Creature from Jekyll Island.
Its widespread adoption has been hampered by its controversy and frequent designation as “conspiracy theory.” However, even detractors acknowledge that it presents legitimate concerns about the distribution of wealth and the impact on common people.
How it aids in leveling up:
provides you with financial awareness outside of the conventional educational setting.
promotes analyzing debt and money critically.
makes it easier to identify the unseen factors influencing markets and economies.
5. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Brave New World, written in 1932, depicts a world in which pleasure, diversion, and consumerism—rather than fear—are used to dominate people. Huxley depicts a society in which individuals voluntarily give up their freedom in exchange for pleasure and enjoyment, in contrast to Orwell’s gloomy image of monitoring.
Due to its contentious issues of drug use, sexuality, and societal control, this book has been challenged in schools and banned. However, it provides one of the most potent insights into how communities may unknowingly bind themselves.
How it aids in leveling up:
aids in identifying subtle types of control seen in contemporary culture.
urges you to pursue purpose rather than meaningless enjoyment.
encourages critical thinking about entertainment, technology, and conformity.
6. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury describes a future world in which books are forbidden and burned by “firemen.” People are losing their critical thinking skills as a result of consuming misinformation and superficial entertainment in instead of reading.
Ironically, because of its language and ideas, the book has been suppressed and prohibited over the years. However, the message is very clear: a society’s future is destroyed when its knowledge is destroyed.
How it aids in leveling up:
demonstrates the perils of intellectual sloth and censorship.
reminds you to prioritize in-depth education over fleeting diversions.
inspires you to read and think throughout your life.
7. The Tyndale Bible by William Tyndale
William Tyndale translated the Bible into English in the 16th century so that everyone, not only priests, could read it. He was put to death for this act of disobedience, and church officials prohibited him from translating.
The Tyndale Bible was a groundbreaking move toward intellectual freedom and personal access to information, not only a religious text. We sometimes take information availability for granted these days, but Tyndale risked everything to let future generations to establish their own opinions.
How it aids in leveling up:
shows the value of knowledge and the availability of the truth.
encourages having the guts to defend your beliefs.
demonstrates how one person’s willpower may alter the course of history.
Concluding remarks
These seven prohibited books are more than simply literary masterpieces; they are also philosophy teachings, survival manuals, and mental enhancements encased in stirring tales and thought-provoking observations.
Solzhenitsyn imparts lessons on how to be resilient in the face of oppression.
Orwell cautions against propaganda and spying.
You are prepared for a digital future by Davidson and Rees-Mogg.
Griffin reveals the financial industry’s secret capabilities.
Huxley illustrates the perils of control motivated by comfort.
Bradbury tells us that information must always be preserved.
Tyndale demonstrates how the world may be changed by having access to the truth.
These works are crucial if you wish to improve your critical thinking, independence, and world understanding. They have the ability to liberate your mind, which is why they were prohibited.
