This book was an impulsive idea that took a long time to produce. In its production, I relied heavily on the institutional support of the University of Florida, including but not limited to a Humanities Scholarship Enhancement grant that helped me find the time and the resources to do its empirical research. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to present parts of this book at the annual meetings of the American Political Science Association, the International Studies Association, the International Studies Association-Northeast, and the International Studies Association-West. These audiences, as well as audiences at invited talks at the United States Institute of Peace, Lancaster University, Virginia State University, and the University of Southern California, helped formulate the ideas in this book. Some of my thinking about gendered orders in global politics could not have been clarified without my co-participants in the Hierarchy workshop at the University of California, San Diego, in May 2014. Colleagues’ feedback on parts of and early drafts of this project helped to give it direction, empirically and theoretically.
In addition, a number of people have provided significant research support for this project. Ruchan Kaya did some of the early news research. Alex Dehelean’s thorough empirical work is reflected in a number of places throughout the final text. Michelle Ascunsion’s careful reading of the first draft of this book was helpful, and caught a number of errors. Ilene Kalish and Caelyn Cobb, my editors (for the book and for the series in which it has found its home), have been patient and supportive over the (way too many) years. More than a decade later, I still rely heavily on the sage advice and careful reading of my former dissertation advisor, Ann Tickner. This project was inspired by, and continues to be in dialogue with, my work with Caron Gentry. Caron’s correspondence, co-authorship, and friendship over the years has been not only an intellectual stimulus, but one of the most fulfilling parts of this career for me.
I am also grateful to a number of scholars who gave selflessly of their time in order to read parts of this book—Lauren Wilcox, Jennifer Lobasz, Sandra McEvoy, Spike Peterson, Joyce Kaufmann, Kristen Williams, Cynthia Enloe, and Dara Kay Cohen. My students—graduate and undergraduate—helped me work through some of the more difficult theoretical issues in this book. Several of my graduate and undergraduate students helped at various points where I was stuck in the analysis of this book, including but not limited to Jon Whooley, Anna Weissman, Catherine Jean, and Christian Chessman. Rachel Feldman read and edited the first full draft of this book like a pro. On a flight between Amsterdam and Atlanta, then-University of Alabama student Christina Kozuh expanded my thinking about the book’s subject matter. Both of my parents actually read a full draft of this book cover to cover and provided feedback—I do not have words to express my gratitude for that. As I was reading the proofs of this book, I lost my father. I will always treasure his involvement with this book. One of the reviewers of the manuscript carefully marked up a full copy with suggestions and queries. It was amazing, and I am humbled and grateful.
Much of this book was written sitting next to (and with the support of) my Chihuahuas. Gizmo struggled with heart problems as I read and wrote heart-wrenching stories. April’s refusal to get excited about anything was a steady contrast to my moodiness as I wrote. Max’s combined cuddliness and viciousness constantly reminded me that no story is as simple as it seems. Together, they make my work possible, peaceful, and enjoyable.
In most of the book acknowledgements I have written, I have told a story about how someone treating me or what I do poorly has inspired the work on a book project. There has certainly been a fair amount of that in the six years this book has been an idea and in progress. Still, as I finished revising it, it was the support of the people who believe in me and what I do that was most important to me. I am forever indebted to friends in the field and outside who care deeply, tolerate imperfection, and assume the best rather than the worst (or, preferably, do not assume at all).