Books are powerful, dangerous, precious. From the first clay tablet formed out of the mud of Mesopotamia to today's livre d'artiste books preserve and carry forward an intellectual and creative heritage that touches our minds and hearts. The history of the book is part of the history of human thought, each book a tangible link in an unbroken chain spanning five thousand years. The rare book collections of the Marriott Library are part of this heritage. Collections that document the history of science and religion. Collections that chart the travel and exploration of the Americas. Collections that trace the development of modern fine press and artists' books. Collections of European history, law, literature and philosophy. Facsimiles of one-of-a-kind classical and medieval manuscripts and Mesoamerican codices. The works of writers such as Hemingway, Jeffers and Stegner. Collectionss that influence, inspire, evoke and provoke. This is an abundant treasure, meant to be savored. Not to be locked away, but to be experienced. These collections bring history to life, revealing as much about the present as the past - helping us to understand both the words and the world in which they were formed.
