Reading Recommendations:

Camino del Norte, How a Series of Watering Holes, Fords, and Dirt Trails Evolved into Interstate 35 in Texas, Howard J. Erlichman -

Some 500 miles of super highway run between the Rio Grande and the Red River, present day Interstate 35. This towering achievement of modern transportation engineering links a string of Texas metropolises and some 7.7 million people, and yet it all evolved form a series of humble little trails.

The I-35 Corridor that runs north-south through Texas connects Dallas and Fort Worth with Austin, San Antonio, and Laredo en route to ancient towns in Mexico. Along its path lie urban centers, technology parks, parking lots, strip malls, apartment complexes, and vast open spaced. In this fascinating popular history, based on extensive primary and secondary research, Howard J. Erlichman asks how and why The Camino del Norte (The Northern Road) developed as (and where) it did. He uncovers, dissects, prioritizes, and repackages layer upon layer of centuries - spawning history to, in his words, "solve the mystery of I-35."

His chronicle focuses less on the physical placement of I-35 than on the reasons it was created; the founding of posts and villages and the early development of towns. Along the way, he explores a number of circumstances that contributed to the location and development of the corridor: pre-Columbian cultures, Mexican silver mining, road and bridge building techniques Indian tribes, railroad developments, military affairs, car culture, and pavement techniques, to name a few.

Presently, a variety of new highway projects are underway to address the dramatic expansion of I-35 traffic generated by population growth and business enterprises. Those interested in the economic development of the state of Texas, in NAFTA links and their precursors, and in touring the Interstate itself will find this book informative and useful.

And, 50 Years from Today, The Way We Will Be, 60 of the World's Greatest Minds Share Their Vision of The Next Half Century, Mike Wallace -

Mike Wallace has made a career of interviewing some of the most fascinating people who share the world in which we live. In 50 Years from Today, The Way We Will Be, he asks one of his most challenging questions yet: What is the shape of the future?

Wallace has collected answers from 60 of the most brilliant thinkers in all fields of human endeavor, including technology, medicine, the physical sciences, ethics, the arts, and conservation. Essayists include: Francis S. Collins - leader of the Human Genome Project; Arthur Caplan - Chairman of the Department of Medical Ethics, University of Pennsylvania; Kim Dae-jung - former President of South Korea and Nobel Peace Prize winner; Ronald Noble - Secretary General, Interpol; Abdulla Salem El Badri - Secretary General, OPEC; Elias A. Zerhouni - Director, National Institutes of Health; Norman E. Borlaug - agricultural scientist, Nobel Peace Prize winner; and many more.

Sometimes alarming, often hopeful, and always insightful, the essays in this collection offer a vision of the futures we can make for ourselves, and the futures we must work now to avoid.

The last book is one I am very happy to mention - Utmost Simplicity, My Life and Its Lessons, A. Tobey Yu -

"Where did I get the inspiration to come up with all the creative and wild ideas and then the energy and tenacity to turn them into reality? The answer to that complex question points to at least six primary sources:

First, my father's legacy - risking his life as a patriot to defy China's corrupt imperial government (long before Mao's Communists came into being).

Second, my lonesome orphan childhood, which made me spend the bulk of my time solving problems, dreaming about life and future, rather than playing games.

Third, the American missionaries' spiritual support and profound influence.

Fourth, ancient Chinese philosophy, teaching, and ethics, including the Confucius approach to life.

Fifth, those talented and generous people I had the fortune to meet and work with, those who provided advice, encouragement, and help when I was in need.

Sixth, and above all, the sacrifices endured by my family over the long years." - from the Introduction

Tobey Yu, an impoverished Chinese orphan, reached the pinnacle of success in American ingenuity and business.

One of the most influential engineers in American history, Dr. Yu Ai-ting (Tobey) transformed the world's mining industry and mastered the secrets of achievement in American business. A graduate of MIT, a doctorate from Lehigh University, a time spent in Academia, going on to put together the successful ORBA Corporation, Dr. Yu used the principles of his childhood heritage.

John and I consider Tobey and Natalie our extended family as their daughter, Pamela, is married to our son, John. Come by and check out this book. I promise, this is one the reader won't soon forget.

Thank you, Tobey; we appreciate your signed book copy for Rylander Library!

See you there!