I have had much help in the writing of this book. Several friends and colleagues read partial or complete drafts, or allowed me to quiz them in conversation. For all such assistance I am grateful to Philip Jenkins, Tim Larsen, Adam Roberts, Francis Spufford, and Dan Treier. In all the work I have done on Auden, Edward Mendelson has been ready with encouragement, advice, assistance in using libraries and archives, and, when necessary, firm correction of errors; I don’t know how I would have managed without him, not just in the writing of this book but also in several others.
When I was making final revisions to the text, I had the inestimable blessing of several days of peaceful, focused retreat at Laity Lodge, in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. I am indebted to all the staff there, but especially to Gate Davis, my host and guide.
My wife Teri and my son Wesley have, as always, cheered me up when I was in the dumps and distracted me with funny jokes when I was uncheerupable. This would have been a far more onerous task without their assistance.
My employer, Baylor University, generously gave me a research leave when I was beginning to wonder if I would ever finish this project. Few gifts are more meaningful than the gift of time.
I want to register my thanks to my agent, Christy Fletcher, my editor, Cynthia Read, and all the staff at Oxford University Press. Many hands and minds make a book.
Finally, I wish to dedicate this book to my dear friend Gail Kienitz, who has been my advocate and encourager for a very long time now—since, in the early years of my career, I wondered whether I would ever write anything. She believed I had something to say before I did; and for those timely good words I will always be in her debt.