It is difficult to know where to begin in recognizing those who have contributed to this work. In some sense, all those who have contributed to my education--from ancient writers to elementary-school teachers--are responsible for different aspects of the contents of this book. Of these, however, a few individuals stand out for special recognition.

A number of people have read the manuscript, providing valuable ideas and insights into how it might be improved. In alphabetical order, these include Bill Brooks, Maurice Clifford, Lucille Hamill, and Karen Kreider. I apologize in advance if I have missed anyone; and, of course, any faults of the book are my own responsibility.

A few teachers helped to shape my thought processes during my high school, college, and graduate school years. Some of these have already been mentioned as readers of the manuscript; additional ones deserving of recognition are Beatrice Bartlett, Louis Girifalco, Eduardo Glandt, Csaba Horvath, Alan Myers, Jim O'Brien, Wiliam Odom, Lisa Pfefferle, John Quinn, Reg Speir, John Starr, and Bob Weber.

There are innumerable individuals whose achievements and/or writings have had great influences on my thinking, and their contributions are likely evident in this work. Some of the more important ones in my life have been Isaac Asimov, P.W. Atkins, Menachem Begin, Winston Churchill, James Clavell, Benjamin Franklin, Douglas Hofstadter, Abraham Lincoln, Niccol� Machiavelli, George Orwell, Carl Sagan, Sun Tzu, Margaret Thatcher, and George F. Will.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank a few friends who have been very special and supportive to me since my high school days--Steve Chu, Kelly Jackson-Whittier, Franny Breen, Ross Kaplan, and Bill Steiner.

My late grandmother, Miriam Kaplan, deserves no small recognition for her contributions to my personal, social, and intellectual development.

Most of all, I wish to thank my parents, Barry and Ellen, and my sister, Jodi. Their readings of the manuscript and suggestions were very helpful in revising the present work; but their true influence is far deeper, permeating every part of my existence.