Like many of the men and women between these pages, this book would have never existed if it weren’t for the enthusiasm of many more living and breathing people. Thanks to Carrie Pestritto for never giving up hope and for finding Julie Matysik, the perfect editor; Bethany Stark, for the right dose of illustrative humor; Rita Gartley and Frances Lovato, for always being at the library; Professor Michael Barnes for vetting scholarly books and looking over Homer (any mistakes are mine); my supportive family, and my friends, Jacki Shepherd, Stevie Lloyd, Barbara Krutulis, and Ron Erickson for their insightful contributions.
And mostly, thanks to my husband, Tim Hammerly. He is bigger than life.