General Notice
Modern History Library is an independent digital catalogue that makes available a curated selection of public-domain and openly licensed texts, primarily in the areas of history, war studies, anthropology, and maritime literature. The catalogue is provided on an 'as is' and 'as available' basis. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and reliability, users should be aware of the inherent limitations of digital archives.
Catalogue Descriptions and Metadata
Descriptions, categories, authorship attributions, publication details, and other metadata associated with each entry are compiled from historical sources, library records, and editorial judgment. Errors, omissions, or inconsistencies may occur. For example, a work listed under 'World Events' might contain only a brief passage on maritime travel, or a title like The Motor-Bus in War may be classified under a broader category that does not fully capture its content. Users are encouraged to verify details against primary sources or authoritative bibliographies.
OCR, Transcription, and Formatting
Many texts are digitised from printed originals using optical character recognition (OCR) or manual transcription. OCR errors, missing pages, or formatting anomalies may persist. Historical spelling, punctuation, and typographical conventions are preserved where possible, but some inconsistencies are inevitable. File conversions (e.g., from PDF to ePub) may introduce layout changes or loss of features. Where an ebook includes 'Reading Notes', 'Edition Insights', or similar editorial material, these represent interpretive commentary and are not part of the original work.
Historical Language and Views
The catalogue contains texts that reflect the language, attitudes, and beliefs of their time. Some passages may include outdated, offensive, or controversial terms, including racial or ethnic descriptions that are no longer acceptable. The presence of such material does not imply endorsement by Modern History Library. It is presented for scholarly and historical context.
No Endorsement
The inclusion of a work in the catalogue does not constitute an endorsement of its arguments, viewpoints, or conclusions. Titles such as The Pan-German Programme or The Revolutions of Portugal are included for their historical significance, not as advocacy.
Copyright and Jurisdiction
Modern History Library strives to include only works that are in the public domain under applicable copyright laws. However, copyright status varies by jurisdiction. A work that is public domain in Australia (the editor's location) may still be protected in other countries. Users are solely responsible for determining the legal status of any work in their own jurisdiction before downloading, sharing, or otherwise using it. The catalogue does not guarantee that every ebook is public domain worldwide.
External Links
Where the catalogue provides links to external websites or sources, those links are offered for convenience only. Modern History Library has no control over the content, availability, or privacy practices of third-party sites and assumes no responsibility for them.
Technical Availability
Access to the catalogue and its files may be interrupted, delayed, or unavailable due to maintenance, technical issues, or other factors beyond our control. No guarantee of uninterrupted service is made.
Not Professional Advice
The material in this catalogue is provided for informational, educational, and recreational purposes. It does not constitute legal, academic, medical, or other professional advice. Users should not rely on catalogue content as a substitute for consultation with qualified professionals.
Editorial Concerns
If you identify a verified error, a potential copyright issue, or other legitimate concern regarding a specific work, you may contact the editorial team. The verified editorial identity for this catalogue is: Ernest Orwell, Poetry Editor, based in Australia. Correspondence may be directed to [email protected]. While every reasonable concern will be reviewed, the catalogue cannot guarantee a personal response or immediate correction.
This disclaimer is subject to change without notice. It was last revised prior to publication of this page.