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[[underline]] Smithsonian Exposition Books [[/underline]]
The Secretary summarized the following report which had been prepared for the Regents' information.

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[[underline]] The Smithsonian Book of the American Land [[/underline]] originated from an insight by Dr. Joshua Taylor that America's chief contribution to art is very likely that of landscape painting. This thought is now contained in an essay by Dr. Taylor in a book that has evolved into a multi-faceted look at the American land in general. The book has drawn high ratings from market surveys.

Under the guidance of editorial advisors including the Smithsonian's Dr. Wilcomb Washburn and Dr. Edward Ayensu and Charles E. Little of the American Land Forum, and with the assistance of countless Smithsonian curators, the Editors of the Smithsonian Exposition Books (SEB) have assembled 33 essays and some 300 photographs and pieces of specially created art into a 288-page volume with a unique horizontal "album" format.

The book consists of six major sections. "Visions" explores the ways that artists, poets, explorers, scientific expeditions, and native Americans have perceived the land. "Origins" leaps back in time to reveal the titanic events that gave birth to the continent (and Hawaii), events which are still, of course, occurring, wearing down the Appalachians, washing away Cape Cod, disrupting the West Coast. "Wild Things" looks at various biomes, including the National Parks, and contains essays by Secretary Ripley and Edward Ayensu on the Smithsonian's concerns in the area of wildlife--both animal and plant. "Shapers" examines the meaning of the patterns imposed on the land by ancient Indians, pioneers, the suburbs and the cities. "Forces" explains the natural (and some unnatural) forces present-day settlers must contend with: the climate and its offspring-tornadoes, hurricanes, floods--and pollution. "Resources" examines the matter of water rights in the West, mining and mineral and energy resources in Alaska, the role of the farmer, some bright urban news, and progress in land-use planning in rural and coastal areas.

Throughout, Smithsonian and outside authors highlight the research and other concerns of the Institution and much of the illustration is drawn from Smithsonian collections and exhibitions. Smithsonian authors, in addition to Messrs. Ripley and Ayensu, include Wilcomb Washburn, Joshua Taylor, William Melson, Nicholas Hotton, Alfred Runte, Bruce Smith, Edwards Park, and several members of the SEB staff. Outside authors include Vine Deloria, Sherwin Carlquist, John Hay, Peirce Lewis, Robert Cowen, Gary Soucie, Jack Hope, Paul Hogarth and Charles E. Little.