To the best of my knowledge, a completely true work of nonfiction has never been written before. But now at long last it finally has. And while I’m fairly certain that it is vastly less perfect than it could have been, I owe the fact that this even exists to Robert Greenfield, who approached me three years ago to know if I ever wanted to write that book. Bob, you did faithfully well, way beyond my expectations, and somehow managed to capture the interstitial meaning of what I had in mind, as well the rhythm in which I wanted it all to be written.
I would also like to thank my legion of practical support troops. Dr. Beth Kaplan, who has saved my life (and continues to do so) far more times than is humanly possible, and the UCSF resident who jumped on my chest. Jerilyn Brandelius, Alden Bevington, John Gilmore, and Johnny Grace: These Strange Angels have been on the front line to help me move this book forward. Kevin Doughten, my editor at Crown Archetype, and Elisabeth Hartley, who steered this project to the finish line. Bobby Weir, without whom there would have been a lot less interesting material with which to make a book. Jane Metcalfe, Katherine Armor, Lotte Lundell, each of whom has a vision of personal glory stacked within them.
Last, I’d like to thank my family: Elaine, Team Barlow-ettes—Leah, Anna, and Amelia, Elliott Dunwody, and our newest addition, Willah Brave. I love you all so very much.
Beyond this, the list of those who have helped me survive to this point in time—as well as done everything in their power to help me live this wonderful life—is so long that I know I would leave someone out if I tried to thank them all here by name. Since you all know who you are, I just want to express my overwhelming gratitude for your love and never-ending support. Truly, even if this really were a novel about my life, I could not have written it without all of you to populate it.
John Perry Barlow
February 5, 2018