The #TXBookChat series offers brief discussions and programs with authors, librarians, and literary professionals. These informal conversations offer a quick look into different aspects of the state’s literary world and showcase Texas authors, themes and books.
 

#TXBookChat LIVE with author Gary Vliet, discussing Texas on This Day: 500 Years of History

Where: Hosted in the Public Event Space at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building, 1201 Brazos Street, across the street from the Texas Capitol
When: Monday, March 10, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: Free

Gary Vliet, PhD, is Professor Emeritus at The University of Texas at Austin. He grew up in Alberta, Canada, and studied and worked in California before joining the faculty of mechanical engineering at UT, where he taught for 35 years.

About the book: From Cabeza de Vaca's ship-wreck in 1528 through the Texas Revolution to present day... almost 500 years of recorded history ... a myriad of significant events in Texas history have occurred (political, cultural, sporting, meteorological, criminal, tragic and amusing). These events are arranged by day of the year to allow the reader to see 'into the past' on any specific day.

His other publications, besides a number of technical papers, are a book on solar energy and a book on the history of the UT Department of Mechanical Engineering. From his 40-plus years in Austin and the research for this book, he has gained a broad knowledge of Texas history.

Texas on This Day: 500 Years of History was first published in 2015; a new, updated edition was published in February 2025. Books will not be for sale on site, Texas on This Day is available at local bookstores and online retailers.

Vliet will be in conversation with Michele Chan Santos, Coordinator of the Texas Center for the Book, in this presentation. There will be an audience Q&A and a book signing at the conclusion of the event (we will not have books for sale on site, but attendees are welcome to bring a book to sign).

Attendees may RSVP online at: https://bit.ly/TXBookChat_Vliet.

Past #TXBookChat Discussions