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Abilene, Kan. - Ike's Book Club invites the public to a special in-person author event featuring Dr. Brian C. Black, author of Ike’s Road Trip: How Eisenhower’s 1919 Convoy Paved the Way for the Roads We Travel. The event will take place on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 6 p.m. (central time) in the Visitors Center Auditorium.
Dr. Black's book is the Spring Quarter selection for Ike's Book Club, a year-long program exploring the profound legacy of the 34th president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Ike’s Road Trip explores Eisenhower's participation in the 1919 Transcontinental Motor Convoy. This convoy was critical for assessing the nation's roadways for military use and later served as the inspiration for the monumental Interstate Highway Act of 1956. The book was released by Godine Books in 2024.
Dr. Brian Black is a global expert on energy and petroleum history. He currently serves as the Distinguished Professor of History and Environmental Studies at Penn State Altoona. He has authored more than a dozen books, including Petrolia: The Landscape of America's First Oil Boom and Crude Reality: Petroleum in World History. His insightful writing on energy has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, USA TODAY, and the Christian Science Monitor.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear a book presentation and participate in a special book signing event.
The 2026 programming season is dedicated to celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Join us throughout the year as we examine President Eisenhower's top accomplishments in the continual pursuit of a more perfect Union. These programs are all made possible courtesy of The Eisenhower Foundation. For more information on Ike’s Book Club and other upcoming events, please visit the website at eisenhowerlibrary.gov or follow @IkeLibrary on social media.
About the Eisenhower Presidential Library
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is one of 16 Presidential Libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. Presidential Libraries preserve the documents and artifacts of our Presidents through archives, museums and public programs, offering vital insight into our nation and democracy. They safeguard the raw materials of history: evidence of democracy at work and the continuing relevance of past Presidential decisions. Public programs and exhibits at the Eisenhower Presidential Library are made possible in part through the generous support of The Eisenhower Foundation. To learn more, visit eisenhowerlibrary.gov.