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Books and music collections are some of the most popular items in the SmithsonianStore, because they most directly reflect the educational mission of the Smithsonian Institution. What s more, they allow you to take an in-depth look at some of the most interesting exhibitions in the Institution s various museums. Here is a short overview of some of the best books and media that you can get from the SmithsonianStore:

The Jefferson Bible: Smithsonian Edition. A full color replica of a hand-bound book created by former president Thomas Jefferson called The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, in which he took extracts from all four Gospels and from four languages including Greek, Latin and French, and arranged then to tell a roughly chronological story of the life and moral teachings of Christ. The Jefferson Bible is currently on display at the National Museum of American History from November 11, 2011 to May 28, 2012.

After Sputnik. Inspired by the exhibition Fifty Years of Human Space Flight at the National Air and Space Museum, the book focuses on assorted artifacts of the Space Race between the US and the USSR as well as the many pop culture items that commemorated it, including Norman Rockwell s famous painting Suiting Up which depicts astronauts Virgil Grissom and John Young preparing to fly Gemini 3.

Jazz: the Smithsonian Anthology. This 6-CD, 111-track collection traces the history of this unique American art form, and features recordings of some of its foremost practitioners. The compilation also comes with a 200-page companion book that features an educational background essay on jazz as well as a listener s guide to the various selections. Samples of musical instruments used in jazz recordings can be found in the Hall of Musical Instruments of the National Museum of American History.

The Nation s Hangar. This book offers a visual history of aviation through the historic aircraft exhibited at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Science Museum, ranging from civilian to military as well as commercial airplanes. Written by curator F. Robert van der Linden, The Nation s Hanger tells some of the fascinating stories behind these aircraft as well as placing them in their proper social and historical context and features 225 full color and 75 B&W photographs. A limited number of copies signed by the author are currently available.

Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations. This 8-CD set brings together seven never-before heard interviews with the former First Lady, which were done by the historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and which covers her thoughts, opinions and feelings on the events of the decade leading up to the tragedy. The seven-hour set, which features the interviews in their entirety, also comes with a 400-page companion book that places them in the context of the history of the late 1950s and early 1960s and features 85 B&W photographs. Visitors to the Smithsonian Institute s National Museum of American History can visit the permanent exhibition First Ladies: Political Role & Public Image and view Mrs. Kennedy s inaugural gown.