This book is dedicated to my parents who always were great role models for me:  my wife Rita, who had to endure many hours of me staring blankly at walls and at the sky (she also constantly motivated me, especially during many difficult moments while doing the illustrations of this book); and to all my teachers who had supported me and provided me with much positive encouragement throughout my teen life.

I would like to pay special gratitude to my 7^th grade history teacher in Taiwan, Mr. Chang, who gave this ancient Chinese wisdom to me in 1979, just days before my family left Taiwan for the U.S.

With his love and enthusiasm with 5,000 years of  Chinese history, Mr. Chang  told so many passionate stories of an ancient empire on big blackboards.  His students often indulged in fascinating tales of history, the causes, the wars, and the consequences.  Mr. Chang transformed thousands years of historical facts into exciting accounts of ancient China.

Mr. Chang passed away in 2016.  Many of his current and former students attended his celebration of life.  

(Mr. Chang with many of his students in Taiwan.  Photo provided by Shin-Dian High School, Taiwan. 照片由新店高中同學提供).  

My mathematics teacher at Cupertino Middle School, Mrs. Clark, gave me tremendous confidence boost during my first year in a foreign, unfamiliar environment. Mrs. Clark always found ways to encourage all students in her classes. She constantly rewarded her students who had the best scores, showed the most improvement, or was the most helpful child during the class. Her classroom was always filled with dedication, caring, excitement, and enthusiasm.

A Math Award was established in 2000 in memory of Mrs. Marjean Clark at Cupertino Middle School.

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“When I was a Senior I had this phenomenal AP English Class.  The teacher was this guy who looked like Ernest Hemingway.”

‘Steve Jobs’, by Walter Isaacson. 2011

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“Steve has never missed an English class.”

Recalled Mrs. Pelton.  Jan 2019

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“Jobs was often bullied…”