Acknowledgments

I would first like to acknowledge and thank the many novelists, biographers, historians, and journalists whose work made this book possible. As Edwin G. Burrows and Mike Wallace have written, “A synthesizer, looking back, sees a thief’s shadow.” A number of writers generously gave their time in addressing my questions, including, in alphabetical order, Elizabeth Blackmar, Randy Chase, Gerald Clarke, the late L. J. Davis, Mary V. Dearborn, Nelson George, Roger Jackson, Stephen Marino, Charles Molesworth, the late Hazel Rowley, Janna Malamud Smith, Alexandra Styron, Sherrill Tippins, Touré, Greg Trupiano, Mike Wallace, and James L. W. West.

I owe thanks to Larry Weissman and Sarah Bowlin, and to David Patterson, Marjorie Braman, David Shoemaker, and Evan Johnston. I want to acknowledge friends who gave valuable feedback and advice: Jordan Mintzer, Michelle Orange, Jana Prikryl, Gary Sernovitz, Meline Toumani. Special thanks go to Barbara Epstein, John Andersen, and J.H.

Very special thanks to my parents, Guy Hughes and Mary Joe Hughes, who taught me what it is to devote yourself to reading and thinking and writing. I miss you, Dad.

Finally, so much gratitude to my confidante, editor, companion, and great love, Adelle Waldman.