Okay, so which one of us wrote a book recently? A number of us have indeed written books in the past. One related to the Boy Scouts, some were fiction about mid-century Europe in conflict, one was a study of the Confederate navy and yet another was a treatise on crowdfunding. Now Don Drakeman, with coauthors, has penned a book on the biotech business.

I was in touch with Don not too long ago about his biotech activities, and he was kind enough to give me some guidance on a small startup with which I was briefly involved. His credentials are deep, as are those of coauthors Dr. Lisa Drakeman and Cambridge professor Nektarios Oraiopoulos. The book, From Breakthrough to Blockbuster: The Business of Biotechnology (Oxford University Press, February), is described as an essential resource for anyone interested in how new medicines come into being. In today’s Covid environment, this might be one that is of great interest to a wider community than usual.

Our Facebook community continues to grow with the recent addition of Rich Yurko. I must admit to mixed emotions about continuing to participate on Facebook, although it is an excellent way to stay in touch as a class and share ideas or simple updates. I have recently curbed my activities on the website as it seems to be invading every aspect of life. Despite that, I do enjoy connecting in “real time” with classmates. Pamela Brewer Smyth posted a story during the Christmas season indicating a connection to Dartmouth in the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Check it out.

Here’s to a pleasant winter and an early spring.

Vox clamantis in Tejas.

—Stephen D. Gray, 3627 Avenue M, Galveston, TX 77550; (650) 302-8739; fratergray@gmail.com