Adam Szetela’s That Book Is Dangerous! How Moral Panic, Social Media, and the Culture Wars Are Remaking Publishing is an investigation of how the publishing industry is being transformed by a mix of progressive intentions and pressure that predominantly comes from social media. Through dozens of anonymous interviews with editors, authors, agents, and even sensitivity readers, Szetela pulls back the curtain on the inner workings of the Big Five publishing houses.
The core argument is striking. While many on the left focus on conservative efforts to ban books and control curricula, Szetela shows that a different form of censorship is happening within progressive circles. Sensitivity reads are now standard practice, morality clauses are being added to contracts, and editorial decisions are increasingly shaped by the fear of online backlash from platforms like Goodreads, X, TikTok, and public petitions.
One of the most memorable lines in the book suggests that “the left is standing in a circular firing squad.” This metaphor captures the paradox that Szetela explores throughout the book: that movements meant to encourage inclusion and diversity have at times undermined free expression and narrowed the range of voices that are heard. In some instances, what is considered acceptable is defined by a very narrow subset of voices to the detriment of a number of writers.
The book is strongest when it shares firsthand accounts from those inside the industry. From the censorship of Toni Morrison to the rise of niche sensitivity reviewers, these stories bring the issues into sharp focus. That Book Is Dangerous! is a thought provoking and necessary contribution to the ongoing conversation about free speech, censorship, and literature.
MY RATING: 4.5
