Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Clients:
I am pleased to announce that my new book, Too Big to Fall: America's Failing Infrastructure and the Way Forward (University Press of New England), will soon be hitting bookshelves. It is set to be released in late October 2010.
As many of you know, I have been hard at work on this book since 2008. Now I am excited to share with you the final result. Too Big to Fall chronicles the decades-long failure of our federal and state governments to maintain our critical transportation and other infrastructure that is so vitally important to our nation. It details the problems that led to the 2007 I-35W Bridge catastrophe in Minneapolis and digs through the National Transportation Safety Board's report on the tragedy, which failed to present the full story to the American public.
In it, I also evaluate what the I-35W Bridge collapse means for the country as a whole--outlining the possibility of a nationwide infrastructure breakdown. I explain why we must maintain an effective infrastructure system and provide a series of well-researched solutions.
Even before publication, the book has already received much impressive praise. In fact, I am honored that the book includes forewords from two distinguished individuals in the infrastructure realm: Hon. James L. Oberstar, Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Robert Puentes, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Their commentary provides a great start to what I hope will be a very influential book. Take a look at excerpts from their encomiums and see for yourself:
As Barry LePatner writes in this book, 'America is always about the next new thing. We build beautifully. But building brings with it responsibility that extends long past the date when a project is completed and put into use. Our record of maintaining what we build is less than beautiful.'...Unfortunately, infrastructure is not like fine wine. It does not improve with age. As LePatner points out, we do not save money by deferring maintenance...LePatner's book should sound the alarm for anyone--in and out of government--who uses and values our national transportation assets.
~ Hon. James L. OberstarIn Too Big to Fall, LePatner explains that to understand the severity of the situation, one has to acknowledge that our nation's infrastructure system is not simply a bridge here or a highway system over there. It is a network of networks. And if one aspect of the system suffers, so do all the rest. He hammers home the stark reality that there are security, safety, and economic implications every time a piece of the system fails...LePatner recognizes the critical importance of providing the public with an understanding of the larger connections between the transportation and economic imperatives. He focuses attention on problems that will significantly impact our nation's ability to protect its citizens as well as to grow and prosper in a dynamically changing world economy...Too Big to Fall belongs on the desk of every transportation official, governor, and member of Congress who wants to work productively toward finding solutions rather than continuing to add to the problems plaguing our nation's infrastructure.
~ Robert Puentes
As many of you know, my ultimate goal with Too Big to Fall is to turn the collective attention of policymakers, media members, and citizens to the perilous state of our nation's infrastructure. I would be honored if you joined me in this quest to spread the word on why America must maintain an effective infrastructure system. Your influence and perspective can bring undeniable strength to this fight for reform. If you would like to pre-order the book, please visit the University Press of New England website (www.upne.com).
I hope you will all continue with me on this important effort by spreading the word about the book's release. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book.
Sincerely,
Barry B. LePatner