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Tom was a very dear friend. His obituary says Texas A&M Press has approved his book for publication in December.
There is more to the story. Tom started writing the book over twelve years ago. Texas A&M Press has had it for at least six and maybe eight years. Do not be mislead by this belated announcement.
Tom and I spoke often about the book. He was amazed at how long it was taking. No excuses held water. We concluded that an academic press measured time in eons. He was in his eighties when A&M started the editing.
I was familiar with his writing skills, which were very good. I have had four books published by three different publishers. I can recognize when a book is being " slow rolled". As he approached ninety he was getting antsy…as was I. I wanted to attend a big book signing on campus. I could not imagine that the book needed that much editing. Of course, you edit something and then kicked back for an elongated coffee break…at least that was the imagine I had.
Finally knowing that Tom would never complain I suggested that he move the book to a real publisher. Tom was too good an Aggie to do that. Thus, I started calling Texas A&M Press. The excuses amazed me. You know it's a big book….yell and you have had it forever. Tom thanked me for calling but I felt he was resigned to the fact that he would never see it published.
I find this to be disgusting. This man gave everything he could to A&M. The Press should be embarrassed. I had reminded them of his age four years ago. I thought they just might move things along. They did not and there will be no book signing. A&M owed this man a great debt of gratitude and treated him with utter disrespect. Very sad.
