Eugene C. Barker, one of the most influential historians to teach at the University of Texas, has been described as "a granite monolith," "half sabre-toothed tiger and half St. Francis of Assisi," with "a mind like a surgeon's scalpel." The late William C. Pool, Barker's former student, presents a vivid portrait of Barker from knowledge-hungry youth to administrator, professor, leader, author, and historian.