Acknowledgments

The “we” that occurs so often in the following pages is not just a rhetorical substitute for “I”; a book such as this requires the efforts of many people beyond a mere author. I’d like to offer the following people my special thanks:

• My research assistants, Kyle Bashaw and Samantha Leach, who helped me write as if I know what I’m talking about.

• The editorial and production team at Peachpit Press—Becca Freed, David Morris, Eric Schumacher-Rasmussen, Kim Saccio-Kent, Joanne Gosnell, Lisa Brazieal, Karin Arrigoni, and my valued friend Karen Reichstein—whose care and expertise made this book clear, accurate, concise, and useful.

• My students and colleagues at Chabot College, particularly Gene Groppetti, Dean of Arts and Humanities, who supported my efforts and kindly looked the other way when I shirked my official duties in my effort to meet deadlines.

• My amazing wife, Debra Goldentyer, who—while managing her own busy work life—uncomplainingly assumed all my household responsibilities, kept me well supplied with fruit and cornbread, and still found time to review every chapter.