For help while I worked on this volume I’m grateful to these colleagues of mine at the University of Maryland: Pamella Pressman and Sylvia Smithy my research assistants; Gordon Kelly, chairman of the American Studies department; Pearl Leopard and Katie Helene of the American Studies office; and Shirley Kenny, provost for Arts and Humanities.
I’ve always been fortunate in my editors at Viking Penguin, starting with Pascal Covici in 1946, when I began work on the Portable Thoreau. Anne-Marie Demetz, the editor for this project, was as helpful in 1984 as Mr. Covici was in 1946. And I’m much indebted to John Seelye, general editor of the Penguin American Library, for his encouragement and support in connection with my edition of Barnum’s autobiography as well as this edition of a pair of Alger’s novels.
C. B.