It was on March 20, 1984, that I wrote to Herb Ryser and proposed that
we write together a book on the subject of combinatorial matrix theory.
He wrote back nine days later that "I am greatly intrigued by the idea of
writing a joint book with you on combinatorial matrix theory . ... Ideally,
such a book would contain lots of information but not be cluttered with
detail. Above all it should reveal the great power and beauty of matrix
theory in combinatorial settings .... I do believe that we could come up with
a really exciting and elegant book that could have a great deal of impact.
Let me say once again that at this time I am greatly intrigued by the whole
idea." We met that summer at the small Combinatorial Matrix Theory
Workshop held in Opinicon (Ontario, Canada) and had some discussions
about what might go into the book, its style, a timetable for completing it,
and so forth. In the next year we discussed our ideas somewhat more and
exchanged some preliminary material for the book. We also made plans
for me to come out to Caltech in January, 1986, for six months in order
that we could really work on the book. Those were exciting days filled with
enthusiasm and great anticipation.