What an adventure it was to write this novel. After researching the background material for five months, I embarked upon an eleven-thousand-mile trek by ship, car, van, and plane, from the languid tropics of the New World to the urban complexity of the Old World—finally ending up in mysterious Africa. Many people on three continents, eight islands, two seas, and one very big ocean assisted me along the way in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Latin, and Arabic. Here are my thanks to some of those who really went beyond the call of duty.
Thank you to Calvin Kelly and Hal Ulrich, the can-do guys at Computer World on St. Thomas, for efficiently solving my cyber dilemma so I could get this book started.
My respects go to Caswall Richards, one of Antigua’s finest sons, for showing me his island and convincing that bus driver to wait for me. The ship wouldn’t have waited.
Merci to Audrey Jason, who led me back in time through the interior and along the coasts of enchanting Martinique—where so many cultures have blended so deliciously.
Thank you to the charming Martineve Browne and the imperturbable Steve Bryan, for sharing their love of Barbados’ past, its people, and its beauty.
To Susana Pérez, one of Spain’s most delightful daughters, mil gracias, mi amiga, for immersing me into the magical world of the ancient Alcázar and the cathedral, in the heart of one of my favorite cities in the world—Sevilla.
Señor Tony Muñoz, el historiador of Palma de Majorca, gets a thank-you for teaching me who was doing what to whom in 1874 at that fascinating junction of Mediterranean peoples.
My amazing friend, writer Pat Brogan, PhD, gets a huge thank-you for helping me do the eyeball recon, decipher Andalusian dialect, and work out the scenes in Tenerife, Palma, Cadiz, and Sevilla.
Thank you to my multinational shipmates aboard the M/V Opera who became wonderful friends and made every day enjoyable. See guys, I really was writing a book!
Anecdotal information on the Royal Marine Light Infantry was graciously given to me by Lt. Peter Sharp Allen RMLI, (WWII), of Great Britain. It is an honor to call him friend.
In Italy, Oswaldo Balicco helped me in Santa Margherita, and Minnesota’s Catherine Rose motivated me (and therefore Peter Wake) to climb that damn cliff to the castle at Porto Fino. Mille grazie.
Casablanca, Morocco—that chaotic and intriguing crossroads of Africa, Arabia, and France—is the home of Mourad Djelleb, who knows everyone, and Ouaziz Mostafa, who can arrange anything. Bogart would’ve loved these guys. Merci pour l’ assistance, mes amis.
Shukran bezzef to El Harras Hassan, who took me into the secretive labyrinth of the medina in Fez, where it’s still the year 1059 a.d. Someday I will be back, ensha’llaah.
A sincere shukran to some other impressive men in that part of the world who helped me: Historian Noureddine Mrani in Meknes, Sidi Mabab Abdul at His Royal Highness King Mohammed VI’s palace in Rabat, Mawad Mohammed in the Kasbah of Rabat, and Elouane Aziz in the medina of Marrakech.
Sidi Goudimi Ahmed helped tremendously with Moroccan history, language, and culture. Shukran bezzef, sahbi.
This trek involved daunting logistics in Europe and Africa—but Teresa Lioce of Pine Island Travel planned and implemented them all with calm efficiency. If you’re heading out into the unknown, she’s the one you want to plan your op. Well done, Terri.
The fascinating celestial information was a treasure discovered by the lovely Nancy Glickman, gifted astronomer and dearest of friends, who patiently explained it all to me. She amazes me. Latin phraseology was provided by Michelle Glickman, 13-year-old Florida State Latin Champion, and her dad, Ron. Father Bill Loughran, Jesuit Vatican linguist, helped on Italian, Latin, and Church hierarchy.
I was graciously assisted in the Paris balloon information by none other than Julian Nott of Great Britain, the premier authority on ballooning in the world, and LTC Mike Woodgerd, US Army, the lighter-than-air expert for the DoD. In addition, Mike entered the title contest for this novel and beat out 376 other entries from around the world, gaining him the role of a character in the book.
I was given additional understanding of Montague Yeats-Brown by Mr. Abe Marrache of England, an accomplished writer who is married to a descendant of that remarkable diplomat.
French culture and language was explained with gentle patience by Denise Couturier. Merci beaucoup, ma cherie. En avant et ascendant!
A sincere thank-you goes to June Cussen, a writer’s dream editor; to Randy White, the premier novelist of Florida and my mentor; and to the other members of the Parrot Hillian Writers Circle: KDN Wehrle, the best critical reader in the world; Roothee Gabay, spirited novelist; and Sheba the Wonder Dog (RIP).
Peter Wake has a support crew in the islands where I live that all sailors would envy: Punkee Moe, Bill and Patti Standing, Annie Wenz and Larry French, Randy and Chris Briggs, Marianne Paton, the Yard Dogs, and Marc and Chris Strom.
To my readers around the world, thank you for your wonderful enthusiasm and support. You keep me motivated and strong.
Onward and upward!
Bob Macomber
Serenity Bungalow
Matlacha Island
Florida