A large number of kind and committed people—scientists, fishermen, conservationists, writers, shamans, editors, fellow travelers, and friends—contributed importantly to this book. Many of them appear in these pages; others inform the text more quietly, and I would like to thank them here.
The idea for this book was born at the Eleventh Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Orlando, Florida, in December 1995. I am particularly grateful to cetacean experts Thomas Henningsen, Randall Reeves, Brian D. Smith, Fernando Trujillo, and the late Stephen Leatherwood for their generous advice, insights, and information. There I also met Vera da Silva, who later graciously shared her limited time, copious knowledge, and warm friendship during visits to Manaus.
Throughout the four research expeditions for this book, I was blessed again and again with patient and knowledgeable guides to the geographical and spiritual landscape of the Amazonian communities I visited. I am indebted to Moises Chavez, Jorge Soplin, and Ricardo Pipa for their help in Peru. For piloting us safely through lightning storms at the Meeting of the Waters, I thank Nildon Athaide. Miriam Marmontel, Andrea Piris, and Ronis da Silveira guided us in Mamirauá (and also kept Dianne and me from falling out of trees and into caiman jaws). At Alter do Chão, I am grateful to Maria do Socorro D’antona Machado for the succor of her lovely pousada; to Braulio for our daily trips on the Gigante do Tapajós; to Gilberto Pimentel for the voyage to Rio Arapiuns on the sturdy Boanares; and especially to Ludinelda Marino Gonçalvez and Keila Marinho for their stories and dance.
I am indebted to those who translated for me the eloquent words of the local people. For sharing their language skills, impressive local knowledge, and their fine companionship, I thank Isabelle Druant and Jim Penn. For their sensitive translation of the words to the dance of the dolphin, I thank Lilla, Kate, and Jane Cabot and Heather Cumming.
For reading the manuscript and averting numerous errors (in Spanish, Portuguese, Quechua, English, and Latin), I thank: Dr. Paul Beaver, Selinda Chiquoine, Dr. Vera da Silva, Dr. Gary Galbreath, Greg Neise, Dr. Mark Plotkin, Steve Nordlinger, Katy Payne, Dianne Taylor-Snow, and Elizabeth Marshall Thomas. Any errors that remain are my responsibility.
In addition, I acknowledge the special help of the following individuals and institutions: Dr. Gary Galbreath for taking me with him on his time-travels; Howard Mansfield for his unending patience, and for being the best editor I have ever had; Denise Roy at Simon & Schuster and my agent, Sarah Jane Freymann, for their excellent suggestions and enthusiastic support for this project; Joni Praded and the fine staff at Chelsea Green for bringing forth this beautiful new, updated edition of this book; Elizabeth Marshall Thomas for her example; and Dianne Taylor-Snow for laughing at inappropriate moments and for the beautiful photographs in this book.
Thanks to: Anya Antipora; Dr. Márcio Ayres; Andrew Cleve; Ray and Beth Cote; Fred and Rachel Dulin; Jim and Ruth Ewing; Rudy Flores; Dr. Richard Frechette and Monadnock Family Care; Dr. Michael Goulding; Dr. Jon Green and Dr. Joy Schochet; Dr. Peter Henderson; Eliane Ritta Honorato; Mario Huanaquiri and his family; Roxanne Kremer; Dr. William Langbauer; Nelson Lobato; Paul Marks; Dave Meyer; Lee Morgan; David Olive; Tina, Nilda, and Bruna Perilho; Vladimir Pistalo; Felicio Pontes, Jr.; Jim Rowan; Juan Salas; Paul Sterry; Augusto Teran; Dr. John Thornjarbson; and Gretchen Vogel.
And also: Amazonia Expeditions; Chuckles and the staff of the Pittsburgh Zoo; Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia; the Division of Mammals at the Field Museum of Natural History; the libraries and staffs of Antioch/New England Graduate School and the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology; Projecto Mamirauá; and the Rainforest Conservation Fund.