Acknowledgments

I am indebted to many people who helped me during the process of writing The Widow’s War. First, I would like to thank novelist Sheldon Greene who read every draft multiple times. As always, his feedback and suggestions were invaluable. Thanks also to Donald Worster; Bev erley Worster; Wes Jackson; Paul Kamen; the members of the WELL Experts Topic; Roy L. Hudson of the National Railway Historical Society; Jackie Cantor, my wonderful editor at Berkley Books; and my husband, Angus Wright, who, besides giving me support and encouragement, accompanied me on a research trip through Kansas and Missouri in the summer of 2006. A historian and native-born Kansan, Angus led me to the place that served as the model for Keyhole Draw and provided me with information and insights not to be found elsewhere.