NO BOOK CAN COME TO PRESS WITHOUT THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF dozens of people, and I have many to thank for their kind assistance in bringing Philip Nolan to life. I first heard the story of “The Man Without a Country” from my father, who had loved the book when he was a young man and read it aloud to me when I was a boy. It was a story I never forgot, and a fascination with tall ships, sailing, and the sea has remained with me all my life. The world of imagination that is opened and the love of reading and literature that results are gifts that truly last a lifetime. Thanks, Pop.
Thank you also to my friend and agent, Julia Lord, who patiently navigated the changing currents of the literary world and found Nolan a berth—not an easy task in a day when Twitter and Facebook are much more in vogue than topsails and frigate battles. At the Naval Institute Press, special thanks to Susan Todd Brook, who was an early fan and brought Nolan “into the service.” Thanks also to Taylor Skord and Richard Russell.
Thanks to novelist, screenwriter, and war correspondent David Freed, who read early drafts and provided encouragement. He is a friend of many years and a constant example of how to write well. Many thanks to Anna and Emily Iannucci, their brother, Matt, and his wife, Yoam Yoreh, for constant interest and encouragement. To Minsky, who always believed, and to Paddy, who reminds me that life is to be fun. Special thanks to Tripp Newsome and Matt Wolfe, companions these many years and stalwart friends through the ups and downs of the writing life.
Most of all, I want to thank my wife and my love, Louise: she is my muse, my editor writing coach; I count on her discerningly critical eye. Through the long process of researching and writing this book, she patiently endured—and hoped. I love you KKC.