This book was made possible—as are all of my writings—by my loving family: my inimitable parents, the late Clifton L. West and Irene Bias West (the precious namesake of the recently dedicated Irene B. West Elementary School!); my steadfast brother, Clifton L. West (the deepest person I know); my supportive sisters, Cynthia McDaniel and Cheryl West; my wonderful son, Clifton Louis West; and my lovely daughter, Dilan Zeytun West. I benefited greatly from the professional support of Mary Ann Rodriguez and the personal love of Leslie Oser Kotkin. The hard work of Ben Polk and the editorial genius of Emily Loose made this work much of what it is. I also want to thank my blessed literary agent, Gloria Loomis, and the visionary publisher Ann Godoff. I take full responsibility for its shortcomings.