Acknowledgments

First of all, I would like to express gratitude to Bassam and Lina Abi-Samra and profound appreciation to my magnificent wife, Zaina, for their unwavering support during the year it took me to write this book.

Next, I would be remiss if I did not thank my mother, Jacqueline, for all of her sacrifices. She has been my inspiration even before I ever knew I needed an inspiration. Je t’aime, maman.

I would also like to give special appreciation to Tom Carroll and Yesha Raval for their extraordinary contributions to the creativity represented in this work.

With deepest thanks I also recognize my agent, Jessica Faust; my developmental editor, Kirsten Dalley; and my publicist, Tess Woods.

Without these people, who were so generous with their time, commitment, and energy, this book would never have been possible.