I want to thank my father, Floyd Abrams, for his help in reviewing the manuscript and providing essential thoughts and guidance on some of the more complicated legal issues involved. Our last book was dedicated to him and he remains my great mentor.
A special note of appreciation to our always supportive editor, Peter Joseph, from Hanover Square Press who believed in us before the success of our last book. His smart suggestions and changes made this book that much better and knowing we have Peter behind us provides us with additional confidence and creative freedom. His team at Hanover Square, including Natalie Hallak, was also so helpful in bringing this to fruition.
I also want to thank my producer/assistant, Stephanie Alexander, for her tireless efforts helping me balance my time to ensure I could always focus on this project that was so dear to me. In retrospect, however, this project would not have happened at all without literary agent Frank Weimann of Folio bringing my co-author and me together.
And most important of all, there is that deft co-author, David Fisher, whose talents are truly boundless. David’s complete absorption in the history and details made the book and this story come to life. With David’s guidance, I have become a better scribe, editor and historian. He’s a true pro and I’m now proud to call him a good friend.
Speaking of good friends, I want to thank David Goldin and David Zinczenko for always serving as smart, focused sounding boards for all my projects.
And then there is family: my mother, Efrat; my sister, Judge Ronnie, and her husband, Greg; and their girls, Dylan, Teddy and Finn. And, of course, the mother of the boy to whom I dedicated this book. I will always be forever grateful to Florinka for her advice to me in all my endeavors and, of course, her devotion to our son, Everett. While he adores his “nonna” Ilike and “nonno” Roberto, from Italy, and his Geeta, he simply loves Florinka more than anything else in the world.
—Dan Abrams
Bringing long forgotten history to life is always challenging, and this book would not exist without the assistance of several people. I would like to acknowledge my co-author, Dan Abrams, who is always there, day and often nights, to do all that was required to bring this story to the page, and to do so with never-failing enthusiasm. Working with him is a pleasure. We are fortunate to be working with our editor and publisher, Peter Joseph, whose gentle guidance is visible on every single page. And, as always, our agent Frank Weimann of Folio, who has been a friend for so many years, and took care of all that other business stuff quickly, efficiently and with great humor. We owe him a lot!
I would also like to gratefully acknowledge Gregg Tripoli, the Executive Director of the Onondaga Historical Association in Syracuse, N.Y. It is accurate to say that without his invaluable assistance this book would not have been possible. A bonus from the project is our friendship. While I am grateful to the entire staff at OHA for welcoming us (and cleaning up the mess we left) and assisting in so many different ways, I do want to express my special appreciation to Research Specialist Sarah Kozma and Curator of History (and ersatz cameraman) Robert Searing for going so far out of their way on our behalf. If you happen to be in Syracuse please stop by to step into history or visit online at www.cnyhistory.org. It’s an amazing museum.
We also were fortunate to have the guidance of Ellen R. Fuller, law librarian at the Supreme Court Library in Syracuse, who helped us lay the foundation.
I also would like to express my gratitude to “Big John” and Susan Nicholson for their efforts on our behalf in the early stages, when it made a big difference. And to my friend Brian McLane, who lays the welcome mat for all who need it in Syracuse, my words will never sufficiently thank you for what you’ve taught me. Finally to my wife, Laura, for always being my biggest supporter and my best friend, thank you, thank you, thank you.
And you too, Willow.
—David Fisher