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The idea to write this book was first suggested to me by John Brockman. Without his initiative and encouragement, I would never have taken the time to write a manuscript much longer than the short scientific articles I am used to authoring. Once I got started, however, I enjoyed the process. Thank you for making this happen!
Many people have helped me by reading the text and suggesting improvements. First of all I thank my wife, Linda Vigilant, who in addition was always supportive of the endeavor, even if it meant me being away from the family. Sarah Lippincot, Carol Rowney, Christine Arden, and, above all, Tom Kelleher at Basic Books were excellent editors. I hope I have learned from them. Carl Hannestad, Kerstin Lexander, Viola Mittag, and others read parts or all of the text and gave helpful suggestions. Souken Danjo provided hospitality in Saikouji for some of the time I needed to withdraw from the world.
I recount events as I remember them. But I suspect that I may have mixed up or conflated a few specifics here and there—for example, regarding various meetings in and trips to Berlin, to 454 Life Sciences, and so on. Obviously, too, I recount events from my own subjective perspective, trying to give credit (and its opposite) where in my opinion it is due. I am aware that this perspective is not the only way one can view such events. In order not to burden the text with too many names and details, I have refrained from mentioning many persons who were nevertheless important. I apologize to everyone who feels unduly ignored!