Norman Tyler's new book, "Crossing the Continent: The Stories of Transportation Trailblazers," offers readers a captivating journey through the lives of the visionary pioneers who transformed travel across America. The book chronicles multiple eras, from the early days of westward exploration to the rise of modern aviation.
Tyler's book highlights the engineers, explorers, and entrepreneurs who made westward expansion possible, spanning over two centuries of American history. He also discusses the contributions of some of the most influential figures in American history, including George Washington, Charles Lindbergh, Carl G. Fisher, and more.
Through a series of powerful biographies, Tyler reveals how their groundbreaking ideas and relentless determination revolutionized transportation and helped build a nation.
Tyler spent countless hours researching and using his storytelling abilities to paint a vivid picture of the challenges, risks, and triumphs these pioneers faced. Their legacies are a part of America's growth, from rugged wagon trails and steam-powered locomotives to the birth of highways and commercial aviation.
The book is available for purchase on Amazon.
About the Author
Norman Tyler is an award-winning Professor Emeritus of the Urban and Regional Planning Program at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). He was the director of the program from 1990 to 2009.
He has also taught at The University of Michigan and Penn State University. Tyler has a PhD from Michigan State University in Urban and Regional Planning (1998) and a Bachelors and Doctor of Architecture degrees from The University of Michigan (1970 and 1987).
He is a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners. His book, Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practices (2000, 2009, 2018; Korean translation, 2014), serves as the textbook for many historic preservation courses.
Planning and Community Development: A Guide for the 21st Century (2011, Chinese translation, 2016) is a comprehensive introduction to issues of urban, rural, and regional planning. His latest book is Crossing the Continent: The Stories of Transportation Trailblazers (2024).