We wish to acknowledge a debt to our graduate students, especially those who have served as partners in dialogue and criticism over the years. We are particularly appreciative for the energetic editorial assistance provided by Rory Randall, Richard Heyduck, and Phil Corr. We have also received a great deal of help from the Librarian of McAlister Library, John Dickason, and two of his staff, Olive Brown and Shieu-yu Hwang. A number of people read the manuscript at various stages of its preparation, and we would like to thank them for their suggestions, many of which we have incorporated into the book: David Bebbington. Henry Bowden, Robert T. Handy, D. Bruce Hindmarsh, Julie Ingersoll, Mark Noll, Susan E. Schreiner, Susie Stanley, David C. Steinmetz, Harry Stout, and John L. Thompson.