I’ve seldom had better advice.
Until I ate lunch with Peter Onuf, a friend and truly eminent scholar of the period. Using the working title George Washington: Accidental Insurgent, I began to explain my concept for the book, when he interrupted: “Uh, Bob, he wasn’t an insurgent. The revolution was an accomplished fact by the time he became General George, the leader of a sovereign state’s army, or that’s what they wanted everybody to believe.” A humbling but vital course correction. Thanks, Peter.
As the project progressed, Jonathan moved to greener editorial pastures, and GW and I were eventually inherited by Molly Turpin, who adopted us both as if we were her own. Her energy and professional competence definitely made this a better book, while her wise-beyond-her-years advice smoothed the production process and kept everything moving in the right direction. Thanks, Molly.
Ditto for my agent, Henry Thayer, who did all the things agents are supposed to do with the contagious enthusiasm of a born problem solver. You and Molly were at your best in the debate over the title; but I can always depend on you for good advice and savvy negotiating.
On the academic side, I also owe a considerable debt of gratitude to Ed Lengel, although not the one I originally thought. At the time I began my research, Ed was the director of the massive Washington Papers project at the University of Virginia, and I introduced myself hoping he would help guide me through what promised to be a lot of paper. Instead, he pointed me toward a bonanza of electrons, the National Archives’ Founders Online website. This is not only a wonderful resource for scholars, but a really user-friendly environment for people interested in learning about the Founding Fathers in their own words. So, thanks also, U.S. government.
Andrew Jackson O’Shaughnessy, whose book The Men Who Lost America provided me with a number of important insights into British thinking and behavior, took time from his busy schedule to talk to me at length on the topic, a session I found particularly productive.
I also want to thank my colleagues at the Naval Postgraduate School, Michael Freeman, Doug Borer, and Hy Rothstein, for giving the manuscript careful reads and a number of Why didn’t I think of that? comments.
Closer to home, Sterling Deal, friend of forty-five years, gave chapters good reads as they were produced, along with much appreciated words of encouragement.
Still closer, wife Benjie was the first to hear every word. So as Director of Quality Control and Author Maintenance, along with a whole lot more, it’s pretty obvious I can’t thank you enough.