I'm convinced that imagination is at the heart of everything we do - in art, science, even astrophysics and higher mathematics. Imagination leads us to ask, "What if?"

I saw myself. . . in the time I watched, I saw strength and frailty, pride and vanity, courage and fear. Of wisdom, a little. Of folly much. Of intentions many good ones; but many more left undone. On this alas, I saw myself a man like any other. But this too I saw . . . Alike as men may seem, each is different as flakes of snow, no two the same.You told me you had no need to seek the Mirror, knowing you were Annlaw Clay-Shaper. Now I know who I am: myself and none other. I am Taran.

My family pleaded with me to forget literature and do something sensible, such as find some sort of useful work.

It was 1943. The U.S. had already entered World War II, so I decided to join the army.

I have never known courage to be judged by the length of a man's hair. Or, for the matter of that, whether he has any hair at all.

After I saved some money, I quit work and went to a local college.

For Wayfarers still journeying, for Wanderers at rest.