In Georgia, professional textbook selection for the public schools has been undermined by a small interest group influencing the State Board of Education. Normally textbooks are selected by a professional committee whose recommendations are adopted by the Board. In 1971 "The Americans," edited by Edwin Fenton and recommended by the selection committee, was attacked and all of Fenton's works excluded from the list. In subsequent meetings of the Board of books were reinstated, then finally excluded from the list. At the same time the Board specified four books out of the 39 listed as appropriate for history and government at the 11th and 12th grade level. A protest, based on economic considerations and mounted by school superintendents, postponed implementation of the latter restriction. Action brought by the social studies educators resulted in legislation removing the power of the State Board to approve specific texts. Further interpretation of the law, however, confirmed the Board's general approval powers. The South's fear of subversion is not unique but should be overridden by recognition of the difference between informed evaluation by professionals and personal bias. (JH)