Acknowledgments

I would first like to thank the technical reviewers for this bookBill Ryan, Brian Davis, Klaus H. Probst, and Les Smithfor taking the time to review the manuscript and for all of your valuable feedback. Your suggestions were enormously helpful in making certain that the book was on target and that the tone was appropriate for the targeted audience.

Special thanks go to Scott Densmore and Tom Hollander. Your tough, but fair, reviews were critical to reshaping the book into what it is today. You were instrumental in pointing out important areas that needed to be discussed and never seemed shy about telling me areas that should be cut or areas that didn't seem "quite right." The book would be but a shell of its current form were it not for your insight.

My editors, Joan Murray, Jessica D'Amico, Jim Markham, and Rebecca Greenberg, guided me through the writing of this book. Your advice has been invaluable. There has been much that I have learned about writing a book through this experience. Whenever things looked bleak, you never seemed to lose faith in me and were always encouraging. Thank you for that.

Amber, you were the only one that was by my side every night, even until three in the morning. You're a good dog.

Lexa, Evan, and Ana, I tried not to let the writing of this book take away from our time together; however, I know that there were times that it was difficult. I thank you for constantly understanding when Daddy had to be writing and I apologize for the "grouchy mornings" when I was up writing all night. Your love helped keep the candle burning at both ends.

Lisa, thank you for your love and patience. I could not have done this without you behind me all the way. I apologize for the nights, weekends, holidays, and vacations that were missed so that this book could be written. I appreciate your constant encouragement and your patience when there was always just "a little more left to be written." I look forward to making up for the time that was missed during the year it took to write this book. I love you.