This book had a near-death experience.
The casket was closing when Jon Karp, the CEO of Simon & Schuster, raised his hand to say this book had to live.
He introduced me to Paul Golob, a skilled editor and good man, who brilliantly guided me home on the first draft. Ian Straus, a top editor at Simon & Schuster, took it higher, challenging me to polish stories to create the book before you.
Gentlemen, thank you for working with me to produce a compelling book for today’s readers—with lasting value for future generations. That was the standard set in 1987 by its best-selling predecessor—Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years, 1954–1965.
Day-to-day, creation of this book, from research to writing, would not have been possible without Christopher Teal.
Currently U.S. consul general in Mexico, Chris sat with me, laughed with me, and lunched with me, to make this book happened. As a graduate student, Chris was the extraordinary researcher for my biography of former Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall. Chris then joined the Foreign Service. He also wrote a book of his own—Hero of Hispanola: America’s First Black Diplomat, Ebenezer D. Bassett.
His intellect and friendship go beyond any simple thank-you. So, I dedicate this book to him.
Robert Barnett, my lawyer and friend, kept me and the book afloat even at low tide moments. He joined with Jon Karp in seeing the importance of telling this generation’s civil rights story.
Men with terrific minds, political wisdom, and real-life experience advised me along the way—Nate Fredman, Jim Hudson, Jim Kessler, Bill Lightfoot, Ghebre Mehreteab, Arnon Mishkin, Barrett Nnoka, and Armstrong Williams.
Thank you to my mentors in the writing life—Herbert Denton at The Washington Post; Henry Hampton at Blackside; and Sam Boyle at the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
Thanks to Oakwood Friends School and Haverford College.
Every word you read here was touched by caring professionals at Simon & Schuster, beginning with Priscilla Painton, editorial director; Lisa Healy, senior production editor; Fred Chase, copyeditor; Jackie Seow, executive art director; Ruth Lee-Mui, associate design director; and Anna Hauser, editorial assistant.
Post-production thanks to Julia Prosser, associate publisher; Stephen Bedford, vice president of marketing; Larry Hughes, deputy director of publicity; and Tyanni Niles, marketing manager.
Here is to my speaking agency—American Program Bureau. Hats off to my colleagues at The Hill.com—Bob Cusack, Daniel Allot, David Freddoso, and Niall Stanage.
Thanks to my Fox colleagues—Bret Baier; Bryan Boughton; Dianne Brandi; Shannon and Sheldon Bream; Porter Berry; Dana Blanton; Megan Clarke; Kevin Corke; Jason Chaffetz; Rick DiBella; Andrea DiVito; Mary Pat Dennert; Mike Emmanuel; Jennifer Griffin; Brit Hume; Jessica Loker; Martha MacCallum; Mary Katharine Ham; John Roberts; Katy Ricalde; Patricia Pert; Jama Podell Vitale; Christina Svolopoulos Robbins; Doug Rohrbeck; Suzanne Scott; Gillian Turner; Jay Wallace, Ted Williams, and Caroline Whiteman.
Thank you to my family for their love.
My wife, Delise, has been a true partner and guardian at every turn. My daughter, Regan, once brought over her husband, Patrick, and my grandchildren Elias, Pepper, and Wesley to show support. Yes, they carried balloons. Raffi and Antonio, my sons, consistently pumped out confidence in the book’s success. Grandchildren Margo and August were heaven-sent, a gift, born as I worked on this book.
Special thanks to Morgan and Erika, my daughters-in-law, and their families John and Donna Chalfant and Gordon and Jan Nuber, for riding the roller coaster of a distracted book writer’s life.
Deep affection to my brother, Roger, and my sister, Elena. Thank you to Roger’s wife, Ginger, and their children, Ashley and Christoper. Their sweet grandchildren are Chloe, Haley, Abby, and Eleanor. Love to Elena’s children—Alexandra and Jonathan—and grandchildren—Chiara, Paul, and Rafael.
That spirit of gratitude also goes to my brother-in-law, Dr. Arthur West, and his wife, Leathia, their children, Marisa and Chip, and grandchildren, Maya and Miles.
Thanks to my cousins—Ligia, Carlito, Haroldo (and his wife, Lupita), Donna, Ruby Linda, Rilda, and Rudy. That appreciation extends to my family in Panama: Javier, Ricardo, Rogelio, and Armonia.
The Trinity Episcopal Church family is a living blessing, beginning with longtime rector, Rev. John Harmon, now bishop of Arkansas, and current priest in charge, Rev. Shayna J. Watson.
My friends are always bumping with ideas and opinions—Arthur Aidala; Susan Alexander; Bishop Nathan Baxter; LaSharah Bunting; Dana Canedy; Jim Clifton; Frank Craig; Chris and Lynne Cowan; Eric and Tina Easter; John Eshun; Jimmy Finkelstein; Michael and Ulrika Francis; David Garrow; Cheryl Gibert; Ken Gormley; Donald Graham; Warren Graves; Gina Wishnick; Cherie Grzech; Scot Hagerthey, Karen Vossler, and their son, Gavin; Bill Herald; Jerry Higgins; Anne Ashmore Hudson; Dante James; Jordan Jean; Colby King; Michael Medved; Cynthiana Lightfoot; Mara Liasson; James Loadholt; Cam MacQueen; Thurgood Marshall Jr.; Michael Meyers; Sarah Mullins; Jerralynn Ness; Judy Nnoka; Ali Noorani and Toya Gavin; Franco Nuschese; Cathleen O’Brien; Jeremy Peters; Jennifer Pond; Joe Quinlan; Diane Rehm; Jason Riley; Eugene Robinson; Steve Selden; Dr. Sian Spurney; Noah Shachtman; Ben Smith; Jessica Tarlov; Paul and Mindy Thaler; Diane Thomson; Leland Vittert; George Will; Chris Wilson; Jason Wrenn, and David Zinn.
In memory and Roger and Alma Williams; Annie Elias Cox; Arthur and Minna West.
As I say too often, “Check it out!” To all above—this book is for you.