DEDICATION

To my grandfather Bill Craker, for always being the first relative to find my writing in the newspaper; and uncle George Craker, for the gut-to-gut hugs that made it look like a sumo wrestling match had broken out at the family Christmas gathering. You're both missed.  -- Rogers

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'm one of those people who plans his Oscars acceptance speech years in advance, even though I have never worked on any project that could possibly lead to winning an Academy Award. If this book were eligible for an Oscar, my speech would start with profuse thanks to the folks at Macmillan who've contributed greatly to the quality of this book, including Mark Taber, Scott Meyers, Carol Bowers, Sean Medlock, Erika Millen, and Kim Cofer. Next, I would thank my former agent Brian Gill and my current agent David Rogelberg, and I would blow a kiss to my wife Mary and my son Max, who would be in the audience. After the kiss, I would throw out the names of personal acquaintances and relatives to whom I owe either thanks or money -- Wade DuChene, Jonathan Bourne, Mark Winner, Phil Weinstock, Eric Manuel, Chad Cadenhead, Kelly Cadenhead, Mom, Dad, Clint Moewe, Marie Moewe, Industrial Light and Magic, James Cameron, the Academy, Mike Rhyner, the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai Brith, Andrew Borokove, Greg Williams, Walker, Texas Ranger, the Dewey Decimal System, and radio station KTCK/Dallas-Fort Worth. Finally, I would finish with a plea for all people to live together in harmony and peace, and for the immediate abolishment of the designated hitter.

READER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd also like to thank readers who have sent helpful comments about corrections, typos, and suggested improvements to the book. The list includes, but is probably not limited to, the following people: Lawrence Chang, Jim DeVries, Ryan Esposto, Bruce Franz, Owen Gailar, Rich Getz, C. Hawkins, Ben Hensley, Jon Hereng, Drew Huber, Lewis Karl, Natalie Kehr, Stephen Loscialpo, Brad Kaenel, Chris McGuire, Chip Pursell, Pranay Rajgarhia, Luke Shulenburger, Mike Tomsic, Joseph Walsh, Chen Yan, Kyu Hwang Yeon, and J-F. Zurcher.