This book could not have been written without help from a wide range of people who provided the inspiration and insights needed to bring it to fruition.
In Afghanistan I was incredibly lucky to collaborate with many colleagues in the field who worked in the military, in government, and in private employment. They made it possible for us to understand our options so we could push forward on many fronts and make our corner of Afghanistan a better place. Without their wisdom and hard work, none of this would ever have happened. Sadly, with the continuing instability in Afghanistan, it is best to leave a number of names of these brave Afghans unwritten in the text.
The manuscript owes a great debt to my tireless editor, Laura Taylor, who ensured common sense and good grammar prevailed.
The editors and staff at University of Nebraska Press, to include Tom Swanson, Natalie O’Neal, and Leif Milliken, worked with understanding and professionalism to ensure the best possible book emerged between two covers. They are a first-rate team, and it has been a privilege to work together.
I take sole responsibility for any errors that have crept into the work despite the best efforts of all concerned.
Finally, I appreciate most of all the unending support of my wife, Joy Grindle, who has made the writing of this book an easier task. She was a model of forbearance as I disappeared for nights on end to polish and repolish these words, and she is the best wife anyone could ask for.