This book would not have been possible without the support of my university and, as is perhaps not so often acknowledged, my fellow citizens, who remain indispensable sponsors of our work as academics. They allow us the time and freedom to read, think, and write. I would particularly like to thank my students, for their input and patience, my exceptional copy editor, Kit Shepherd, for his meticulousness and encyclopaedic knowledge, my commissioning editor at Penguin, Laura Stickney, for giving me the opportunity to be published by my favourite publishing house, her editorial assistant, Shoaib Rokadiya, who helped me out on the maps, Lynn Tytgat, for accompanying and encouraging me throughout the last few years of exploring and writing, and my family, Ann, Aline, and Julia, for giving me the inspiration and encouragement – day after day.