MY SINCERE THANKS to Mark Levine and Bascom Hill Publishing Group for taking on this topic. I’ve felt strongly about this issue for years and appreciate their willingness to put my views in print. I also thank my editor, Marly Cornell, for her fastidious workmanship in reviewing my manuscript.
Of course, I thank all those scholars who have done the vital research that I found both invaluable and inspiring. They are referenced in the book so I won’t name them here, but they laid the foundation upon which my work, and that of so many others, is based.
Thanks also to my radio producer, Brendan Kearin, who picked up the slack at the office while I was busy with the book.
Last, but certainly not least, I am indebted to my family for putting up with the many hours I spent away from them, laboring in what they call my “bat cave.” They are my inspiration.