THIS BOOK would still be a harebrained idea were it not for the collaboration and support of dozens of people.
From the moment we first discussed this project in a Madrid bar, I have been hugely grateful to Joseph Fox for his travel companionship and wonderful photography. Iceland often has to be seen to be believed. Joseph’s photographs capture the people, places and moments that writers far better than me would struggle to convey with words.
Jane Camillin at Pitch Publishing showed faith in the book at an uncertain time, and I thank Duncan Olner and Pete Gentry for their design and editorial input. From deCoubertin, James Corbett, Jack Gordon Brown, and Megan Pollard worked on the manuscript with imagination and skill. The guidance of Charlotte Atyeo was valuable throughout.
Thank you to everyone who gave up their time to be interviewed. Though not all feature in the final edit, each one shaped my ideas and taught me something new. For their various contributions, I am particularly grateful to: Anna Lea Friðriksdóttir, Haffi Már Sigurðsson, Ómar Smárason, Jóhann Ólafur Sigurðsson, Gregg Broughton, Tom Dent, David Nelson and the guys at AS English, Svein Graff, Ólafur Garðarsson, Sandra Valsdóttir, Hulda Birna Baldursdóttir, Lúðvík Gunnarsson, Viðar Halldórsson, Birkir Már Sævarsson, Biggi Sverrisson and his crew, Lizzie Frost, Will Watt, and Darren Bentley.
Thanks most of all to my parents, Diana and Ambrose, for always encouraging me to pursue my interests and instincts, and to Alice for her kindness, support and remarkable tolerance of football.