Acknowledgments

Hearty, heartfelt thanks to the following people for their help during the writing of this book: Dottie Ames, Lynn Anderson, Ignazio Apolloni, Rachel Bernstein, Thomas Bligh, Kate Blum, Christine Cabello, Felice Cavallaro, Gina Centrello, Roger Cole, Anthony Corleone, Sanyu Dillon, Deanna Dunn, Magee Finn, Francesca Fontane, Rino Francaviglia, Buzz Fratello, Father Andrew Hagen, Theresa Hagen, Cesare Indelicato, Jr., Jonathan Jao, Jonny “the Pencil” Karp, Barbara (Geraci) Kennedy, J. A. Kriausky, Mike Lauer, Carole Lowenstein, Congresswoman Winifred “Annie” McGowan, Elizabeth McGuire, Daniel Menaker, Kay Michaelson, Hal Mitchell, Moonflower® (née Beverly Geraci), Gene Mydlowski, Tom Nevins, Neil Olson, Leoluca Orlando, Phil Ornstein, Allyson Pearl, Beth Pearson, Thomas Perry, Dr. Katherine (Corleone) Pietralunga, Anthony Puzo, Jillian Quint, Kelle Ruden, Donald “Donnie Bags” Serio, Sir Oliver Smith-Christmas, Willie “the Journeyman” Tonelli, Governor George Van Arsdale, Harriet Wasserman, Don Weisberg, Anthony Ziccardi, and Andy Warhol.

In addition, the following organizations provided richly appreciated support during the writing of this book: the Corporation of Yaddo, the Hambidge Center for the Arts, the Ragdale Foundation, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the World War II Instititute at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Thank you one and all.

About The Author

MARK WINEGARDNER received a master of fine arts degree in fiction writing from George Mason University and published his first book at age twenty-six, while still in graduate school. His books have been chosen as among the best of the year by The New York Times Book Review, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Sun-Times, USA Today, and the New York Public Library. His work has appeared in various publications including GQ, Playboy, Family Circle, American Short Fiction, Ladies’ Home Journal, Parents, and The New York Times Magazine. Several of his stories have been chosen as Distinguished Stories of the Year in The Best American Short Stories. He has also served as a board member of the Associated Writing Programs. He is now a professor and director of the creative writing program at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.