The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) granted him with this medal as a result of his "unselfish dedication to ASME and his profession for distinguished career contributions and leadership in fluid power education and research."

Book started at Georgia Tech as an assistant professor in 1974 in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, and since then he has done a great deal in his area of research to improve Georgia Tech. In 2001 he was appointed as the first HUSCO/Ramirez Distinguished Chair in Fluid Power and Motion Control, and then established the Georgia Tech Fluid Power and Motion Control Center (FPMC).

He continues to conduct a range of projects in the FPMC with the help of students in the areas of actuation and control of motion systems, robot dynamics and motion planning, and haptic displays.  

Book may seem like your typical award-winning professor, but he's more than that.  He also enjoys kayaking, backpacking, and advising the GT Rugby Club in his free time.