Abstract
The present volume has a history spanning approximately 60 years. It began with James (Jim) Hamilton McLean’s dissertation, commenced in the early 1960’s and completed in 1966. Right from the beginning, Jim wanted to revise the entire gastropod fauna of the northeast Pacific. This initial dissertation proposal was tempered in scope by the experience of his advisor, none other than A. Myra Keen at Stanford University. The finished dissertation on the patelliform archaeogastropods and the abalone and scissurellids was the first component and catalyst for his life-long endeavor to complete a comprehensive faunal treatment that would be colloquially known as The Book.