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xi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Those who claim writing is a solitary craft are stretching the truth. This book would not have been possible without the help of many individuals, to whom I am indebted for sharing their time, energy, advice, and expertise. Boots on the ground are a must. In this regard, I am grateful to all those individuals who assisted my research efforts in China—among them architects, scholars, journalists, officials, developers, and homeowners. These people opened up their homes to me, welcomed me into their offices, offered their impressions, and shared their photographs. Two individuals in particular provided vital assistance that has been indispensable to this book's execution: Sophia Miao, who has given valuable consultation and research assistance throughout this project, and Haiyao Zheng, a source of enlightened guidance, moral support, and lively company. I am especially grateful to Professor Jerome Silbergeld of Princeton University, whose wise counsel and engagement with the subject matter laid the foundations for an intellectual adventure that would not only span several years, but would also culminate in a more profound understanding of what it takes to bring a book such as this one to fruition. I am also deeply appreciative of the insights, academic excellence, and editorial rigor that have been generously offered by Professor Ronald Knapp, Professor Xing Ruan, and Patricia Crosby, each of whom demonstrated a deep interest in the topic and in the fine art of bookmaking. They have been dedicated, valuable, and thoughtful collaborators through the process of preparing and submitting this work. When inspiration was required, I was fortunate to have been able to call upon Professor Martin Kern, Christian Hubert, Roger Cohen, and John McPhee, who shared lessons from their craft and guidance on how to move forward. I would like to acknowledge the enduring support I received from my friends and family: Dorka Bosker, Karen Brooks, Joey Foryste, Michael Goodall, Tak Inagaki, Bibi Lencek, Katrina Lencek-Inagaki, Misko Lencek-Inagaki, Nina and Rado Lencek, Ari Lovelace, Christine Miranda, Daphne Oz, Richard Pine, Tanya Supina, and Ali Sutherland-Brown, all of whom showed an indefatigable interest in China's remarkable simulacrascapes and my work. I am especially grateful to Matt Nguyen, whose patience knew no bounds, whose support has been unrivaled, and whose constructive criticism, xii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS manuscript reviews, and encouragement helped take this work over the finish line. Finally, I would like to acknowledge my parents, Lena Lencek and Gideon Bosker, for showing me the way with their own works, encouraging me to take risks, and reminding me that the trajectory from facts to story is a long, lonesome—sometimes even tortuous—road, but a road worth taking nevertheless. ...

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