Acknowledgments

Thank you to Piergiorgio Nicolazzini, tireless workaholic, and Luca Briasco, because unstoppable is the least one can say about him. To Francesco Colombo, who always knows the right word. To Severino Cesari, spiritual father of these pages, to Paolo Repetti, Rosella Postorino, Raffaella Baiocchi, and the entire Einaudi family. Thank you to the Kräutermandl, Voter and Bau’rn who have shared their knowledge with me without asking for anything in return, and to Aldo Gorfer, whose works are an unequalled source of inspiration. Thank you to Hermann Tamanini, gentleman and man of medicine. Thank you to Robert Gorreri for his record-breaking advice. Thank you to Luis for his patience, to Maurizio Girardi because the second one was better than the first, and to Michele Melani, sparring partner, talented man and friend.

Last but not least, thank you to Alessandra, steady at the helm when I go “to the other side.”