Tracks and Ties

Hasselman, Donald

The Russians put a satellite into orbit and changed the direction of my life. I was pushed toward science from grade school on, but a career as a scientist took a few unforeseen turns and led me to be a teacher and a writer. Far from having proved a waste of time the years spent studying science have proved to be very valuable and given me a perspective from which to examine the vast world outside the academic community. Though scientific proof is rarely irrefutable when working on the weightier issues of life the perspective of the scientist permeates my thinking. Life, however, is not an experiment, it is an adventure. A fact therefore does not have to be repeatable to be true. Jimmy Travers' life takes on a whole new direction when he realizes that he can actually do Mr. Fletcher's word problems. Over the course of a single summer circumstances cause him to rethink what is important to him and find his direction in life. Dreams of long standing become less important. The "unnoticed" young man sends a few ripples across the pond and learns some very important lessons along the way. When and where does a train leaving New York meet a train leaving Chicago? Is it just an algebra question or a metaphor for life? We follow Jimmy on his journey as he finds answers to some of life's great questions.