I never would have been able to complete this book without the support of so many people—family, friends, mentors, and colleagues alike.
My wife, Megan, endured years of me working deep into the night, even long before writing this book consumed my every waking moment. Thank you for your loving encouragement and unfailing belief in me. To my family—especially my mom, dad, and brother, Brian—thank you for always supporting me as I pursued one dream after another. Thank you to the Parks family (and the Icasianos, Olveras, and Lukers!) for your never-ending kindness and for entrusting Megan to me. To B.J. and Courtney Ellis, you will always be like a brother and a sister to me. Thank you to our incredible friends from The Church at Brook Hills. Megan and I could feel your prayers during difficult times, even from the other side of the country. To Jim and Betty Warren, you will never fully understand the impact you’ve had on us all. Likewise, David and Heather Platt.
To the Yellowhammer team—especially John and Allison Ross and Tim Howe—thank you for carrying on the torch. And to Walker Miller, you were the first hire I ever made, and the best one (sorry, B.J.). There are numerous mentors who have invested their time and energy in me over the years, namely men like Andy Andrews, Freddy Ard, Dexter Day, Joe Fine, Bob Geddie, Tim Gillis, Johnny Johns, Billy Joy, Barry Moore, Gary Palmer, Dale Rice, Jeff Roberts, Jay Sanders, Jeff Sessions, Richard Shelby, Swaid Swaid … The list could go on and on. Thank you for pouring your wisdom and experience into me.
To my friends from the campaign and the White House, I won’t name you here so that you won’t have to answer for anything I’ve written, but you know who you are. We walked through the fire together and will forever share a special bond. I hope what I’ve written in these pages captures our shared experience.
Matt Latimer and Keith Urbahn of Javelin were the best agents a first-time author could ever have. Thank you both for pushing me to be honest and to write a book that will stand the test of time. If we are fortunate enough to achieve that goal, it will be because of your efforts. You improved every piece of this project that you touched. Matt, thank you in particular for the countless hours you spent reading through every word, refining every draft, and for being a 24/7 sounding board for every idea and concern.
The team at Thomas Dunne Books and St. Martin’s Press was all in from day one. In particular, I would like to thank Tom Dunne for allowing me to tell my story. Thank you to my editor, Stephen S. Power, and assistant editor Samantha Zukergood for giving great feedback and for tending to my fragile ego. Greg Villepique and Michael Cantwell improved the manuscript in countless ways. Thank you to Tracey Guest and Gabi Gantz for making sure the world was aware of this book.
Finally, to the state of Alabama: I traveled the world, met kings, conversed with princes, dined with diplomats, and shook hands with some of the wealthiest people in human history. And all the while I couldn’t wait to come home to you. I hope you will welcome back a weary traveler.