Mark Lardas is the author of numerous books on maritime and Texas history. A longtime resident of the Houston area, he has maintained an interest in the Port of Houston. In cooperation with the Houston Maritime Museum and the Port of Houston Authority, and with generous assistance from the University of Houston and other local resources, he has pulled together a fascinating collection of images to illustrate the history of the port from its founding in 1836 to its role in the 21st century.