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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The completion of this book has been accompanied by a considerable expenditure of sweat and tears but, fortunately, no blood. It is a pleasure after so much time to be able to thank those people who have endured my endless requests for personal and professional guidance. This book started asa Ph.D. dissertation at Cambridge University in 1992.The man who inspired me to pursue my study of American history is William Dusinberre. His classes at the University ofWarwick were the highlight of my undergraduate career. Throughout my time at Cambridge, my studies were funded by a grant from the Economic and Social Research Council. I offer my sincerest thanks to Tony Badger, not only for being awonderful supervisor but also for continuing to support me after I graduated in 1997.1 completed much of the research for the original thesis during my year as a visiting student at Emory University in 1993-94.I am indebted to Dan and Jane Carter for the care and attention they showed me throughout that year. My thanks also to Bill Carrigan and Emily Blanck for their enduring friendship. Without it, I would never have completed my research. I also owe a large debt of appreciation to Belle Stoddard in Birmingham,Alabama. A number of historians have offered invaluable comments on the manuscript, among them Leonard Dinnerstein, Adam Fairclough, David Laven, Peter J. Parish, John David Smith, and John Thompson. Particular thanks in this regard should be given to MarkBauman. Although I have never sat in any of his classes, he has been an inspirational teacher. I am most grateful to Malcolm Call at the University of Georgia Press for his warm advice and interest. I am also indebted to Elaine Durham Otto for her skillful copyediting and to MarleneAllen and Nathan Bowden foroverseeing the final stages of the book's production. On a personal note, I would like to thank my family, Marjorie, Brian,Paul, and Neil, for their love and support . And where would I be without Boo and Grover?My greatest debt is to Kathy Kendall. She, more than anyone else, has helped to protect me from my indecision and despair. This book is dedicated to her with the deepest love. This page intentionally left blank ...

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