I thank Patrick Fitzgerald, Kathryn Schell, and Irene Pavitt at Columbia University Press for all their help with this project. Patrick deserves special thanks for coming up with the idea and making many valuable suggestions. Thanks also to Bruce Lieberman and David Archibald for reviewing the complete draft of the book, and to Mike Everhart and Tom Holtz for reviewing individual chapters. I especially thank Darren Naish for using his encyclopedic knowledge of tetrapods to carefully check the last 15 chapters. The many people who graciously provided the illustrations and photos for this book are acknowledged in the appropriate places. I thank Nobumichi Tamura, Carl Buell, and Mary Persis Williams for their incredible artwork that graces this book.
In addition, I thank my sons, Erik, Zachary, and Gabriel, for their love and support when I was writing it. I especially thank my wonderful wife, Dr. Teresa LeVelle, for her support and encouragement, and for helping me find quiet time to finish the book by deadline.