Getting Rid of Books
As suggested below, the burning of books has been a significant part of human history, but I struggle to recall a time in which it worked out for the best.
In all fairness, the mob in Tennessee burned their books, e.g., Harry Potter and Twilight because their pastor deemed them demonic.
The more common reason for incineration, of course, is the attempt to stamp out ideas that might run counter to the aims of a rising fascist.