A book such as this cannot be written without doing massive amounts of research, as the following bibliography attests. When I speak to student groups about writing historical fiction, I always try to reassure them that research truly can be fun, like a treasure hunt. Certainly, the reading and interviewing I did yielded up many gems of details to make Annie’s story come alive. I am indebted to the many scholars who have written factual histories of the Civil War, which I read in preparation and used as reference while building this book and its characters.
I owe a large thank-you to Jim Burgess, museum specialist at Manassas National Battlefield Park, who patiently allowed me to interview him for hours, dug out unpublished and little-known memoirs, and then read my manuscript for accuracy. I cannot thank him enough for his generosity, good humor, meticulousness, advice, and knowledge.
Budd Reitnauer of Sky Meadows State Park graciously opened its historic Mount Bleak House for the jacket photograph and educated me more on the life of Fauquier residents during the Civil War. Historians at the Lee Mansion in Arlington, Virginia; the Gettysburg battlefield; and the Fauquier Heritage Society also fielded questions with grace and a wealth of information.
I must say a special thanks to Dr. Edwin Wilson, of Wake Forest University, who long ago instilled in me a love of the English Romantic poets and who made sure my references to literature were correct.
To my editor, Katherine Tegen, I owe my beginnings and existence as a fiction writer, after many years as a magazine journalist. Katherine has encouraged, nurtured, guided, and championed me. What more could a writer ask? Illustrator Henry Cole first introduced me to Katherine. His enthusiastic generosity is equaled only by his artistic talent.
And finally, to my husband, John, and my children, Megan and Peter, who inspire me, hug me when I’m tired and discouraged, and bless me with sincere excitement about my books. Their insightful questions and compassionate curiosity make me a better writer; their belief in me a better one still.