This should get some good answers. I once read Dr. Frederic Wertham’s Seduction of the Innocent, asserting that crime comics inspired kids who read them to commit crimes. (Dr. Wertham said Batman and Robin were homosexual and Wonder woman was a lesbian.)
Post your controversial titles here. 
The most controversial book I have ever read is probably The Satanic Verses. Don’t tell the Ayatollah, but I rather liked it (although I thought the ending was rather weak). Speaking of Satan, I’ve also read some of LaVey’s stuff. Does that count?
You’ve read The Seduction of the Innocent? I’ve been looking for a copy of that. From what I’ve heard it’s a real laugh riot, or it would have been if it hadn’t been taken so seriously.
Heck is where you go when you don’t believe in Gosh.
In the introduction to my copy of “The Painted Bird”, Jerzy Kosinski says many people in Europe (Poland?) were offended by the depiction of the country folk in his book.
Arnold, you beat me to it. We talked about this book here several months ago, and someone posted a link to a site where the autobiographical nature of the book was disputed. The controversy is almost as intriguing as the subject.
Without question the most controversial book that I’ve read (at least parts of) is the Bible. I am confident that there hasn’t been a book one hundredth as controversial in the history of the world. (Well, maybe the Koran?)
You don’t have a thing to worry about. I’ll have the jury eating out of my hand. Meanwhile, try to escape.
Sig by Wally M7, master signature architect to the SDMB
Huckleberry Finn
Rather, I was in the position of a spore which, having finally accepted its destiny as a fungus, still wonders if it might produce penicillin.
–Ayi Kwei Armah
Off the top of my head I’d have to say American Psycho. There’s probably something more controversial than that but I can’t come up with it now. (Wasn’t my cup of tea, by the way.)
“That’s impossible! Cartman doesn’t know a rainforest from a Pop-Tart!”
“Yes I do! Pop-Tarts are frosted!”
Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant…
OK OK, well it was controversial in the 1780’s!!! 
Probably “Lolita.” It amazes me that when I tell someone I’ve read this book they usually make some leery crack about “…oh, you’re one of THOSE, eh? HEH HEH HEH…” Daft punters.
“My hovercraft is full of eels.”
The most controversial book in history is the Bible!! read it!
is controversial spelled correctly? maybe its the caps
whatever for?
The Bible, well, most of it. Still have a few books of the OT to go.
The Last Temptation of Christ.
The Satanic Bible.
I haven’t always been a nice Catholic girl.
“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no substitute for a good blaster at your side.” — Han Solo
I’d say Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. If you go to amazon.com and read the reviews, almost all of them are either 5/5 or 1/5
Torgo mentioned Lolita. I keep having to defend that novel against charges of pornography. But I’ve never been seriously accused of being a pedophile myself, probably 'cause in most states (but not in here in Canada) I’m actually young eno… ignore that last part. Ignore it
``You’re just an empty cage girl if you kill the bird.’’ – Tori Amos.
No question the Bible is a highly controversial book!
To Neuro-Trash Grrrl: I doubt that Seduction of the Innocent was a “laugh riot”; I don’t believe that was why it was a Book of the Month selection. I read it and it was chilling. There is, or was, one copy in the main Los Angeles City Public Library–and it had been liberally mended with Scotch tape because many pages had been cut with a scissors or slashed with a razor blade!
Controversial? Certainly. A laugh riot? Certainly NOT!!
I’d have to say “Final Exit” by Derek Humphries. You know–the self assisted suicide book. I wasn’t in any kind of self-destructive phase or anything. I just heard that there was a big ruckus when the book first came out and my mom just happened to work at a bookstore, so she got me a copy at cost.
Anyway, it was a pretty dull read. Didn’t make me want to kill myself, but it did suck the life out of an afternoon…
“It’s only common sense,
There are no accidents 'round here.”
To Democritus: Did you know Critique of Pure Reason was on the Catholic Church’s Index of Forbidden Books?
I didn’t realize that Doug, I did know it caused quite a stir in it’s time though. Thanks.
Steal This Book
Wisdom is the boobie prize,they give you when you’ve been --unwise!
If you ever find one, could you post where? I’ve not been able to find it, despite a periodicly rather aggressive search.
I can’t think of anything particularly contraversial I’ve ever read - course, I probably have read several books that’s really really contraversial, but missed the bruhaha surrounding them.
Eschew Obfuscation
I don’t know if it’s the most controversial book I’ve ever read, but I read The Last Days of Christ the Vampire a few months back. It’s pretty much like its title implies and surely must have gotten a few knickers knotted up at some point.
American Psycho or Final Exit