Few engineering books remain influential for 35 years; even fewer can
be said to have affected undergraduate and graduate education. Transpo
rt Phenomena (BSL) accomplished both and it brought fundamental change
s to the way chemical engineers think: BSL can be arguably regarded as
the most important book in chemical engineering ever published. In th
is essay we place BSL in the context of its times and surrounding para
digms, review and comment on the early reception of the book, offer co
mments on style, and speculate on its possible revision.