Several people read the early drafts, for which I am deeply grateful.
Brian McGoldrick, Phil Steele, Leo James, Karen Calcagno, Jessica Smith, Carolyn Buxton ("Aunt Carolyn") and Matt Hahn all suffered through the early, deeply flawed drafts. Each one of them provided invaluable and detailed comments, criticism and advice, and a unique perspective on the book's contents. I am very grateful to each of you.
In addition to her editorial help, Carolyn Buxton also provided fascinating details about my family's history and, of course, the stories behind the Interludes about her "unbaptism" and my father's motorcycle accident.
I would like to give special mention to Professor Terry Winograd of Stanford University, who unknowingly contributed to this book. His brilliant lectures on linguistics, language, cognition, and the true meaning of human consciousness, started me down a path twenty-four years ago that ultimately lead to this book.
Finally, I must acknowledge the profound influence my father had on my views of religion, morality, humanity, and history. He taught me to question everything, to look at every topic from both sides, and to appreciate a good discussion. The word "thank" would be inappropriate here, for reasons my father knew all too well; a simple acknowledgement is what he would have expected.