Acknowledgments from Justin

No technical work like this one exists in a vacuum; the decision to write a book is based on the imperative pressed on you by great new technologies that need to be talked about. As such, without Rod Johnson and Juergen Hoeller, I'd never have had the opportunity to write this book in the first place. Secondly, the book itself is shaped by the people you hang out with while writing it, so thanks to all the folks on the No Fluff tour, who make up 98% of my social life: Ted Neward, Dave Thomas, David Geary, Erik Hatcher, Dion Almaer, Jason Hunter, Nick Liesecki, Mike Clark, and of course, Jay Zimmerman. Each of you is an inspiration.

Thanks (again) to Stuart Halloway, a great business partner and even better influence. Your tireless dedication to learning new things, even if you forget them minutes later, is a compelling beacon.

Finally, I too have to thank my family. My daughter, Zoe, who is now learning to say all kinds of wonderful things like "car" and "house" and "protein" and "Cthulhu," proves to me every day that life is beautiful. And my wife, Lisa, who, through whatever twists and turns I throw at her, manages to say "That sounds like a great idea." Your tireless support and unconditional love keep me going.