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>> ix Acknowledgments I find it odd when authors thank their partners at the end of their acknowledgements because they are the ones who must live through the writing of a book. In my case, this convention would read especially strangely since our lives are so intimately intertwined as partners and colleagues. Somehow, we have found a way to make it all work. Jeff Bennett’s unyielding generosity, tireless work ethic, and unconditional compassion never ceases to amaze me. I count myself as one of the luckiest people in the world because I get to share both my personal and professional life with him, and I am better for it. Whether it is late night drinks on the deck decompressing after long days, sharing meals, enjoying conversations during long drives to visit our friends and families , or watching guilty pleasure television together, he fills my life with laughter and love. His willingness to read my writing at a moment’s notice is only one of the ways in which I benefit from his presence in my life. Without his companionship and encouragement, I could not have completed this project. I consider it, at least the good parts, as much his as it is mine. Second, my two closest friends, Sue Stanfield and Claire Sisco King, inspire me to be a better writer and human being. Sue has been in my life for more than half of it now, and I cannot count the number of times that her counsel has saved me from myself. In an odd twist of fate, we both landed in Iowa City, which means that she, too, had to endure the ups and downs associated with this book. Like Jeff, Sue read every word multiple times, even when it traded off with her own work. Her insightful feedback helped to reshape and clarify my arguments—although she won’t agree, I am still her student, and I look forward to learning from her for many years to come. Claire is one of my most trusted x > xi my life to give me the space to think and write, and I am eternally in her debt for it. Despite being one of my advisees, Michaela Frischherz exchanged ideas with me without hesitating to engage me as an equal or challenge my ideas. She also indexed the book at a time when I needed time the most. Conversations with Lisa Silvestri, Paul Johnson, Sarah Spring, Rebecca Robinson, Dana Gravesen, and Bryan Asbury also informed my thinking about issues large and small. The often invisible labor of my department’s support staff, especially Troy Fitzpatrick, must be acknowledged as an essential part of our daily lives as writers and teachers. My families have always supported me unconditionally, without reservation or judgment, although they have had ample reason to do otherwise . My parents and brother, along with his family now, have been a source of strength for me throughout my life, especially over the last few years. The following pages are a small repayment for the joy they have given me. I lucked out in the in-law department as well. They welcomed me into their lives right from the start. My kin of choice may be the best choice I have ever made. Cara Buckley, Suzanne Enck, Claire Sisco King, David and Leigh Moscowitz, Jeff Motter, Jaime Skerski, and Darrel Wanzer are simply the best friends in the world. Everyone should have a fairy godfather like Chuck Morris to champion their work. Chuck also brought Rob Asen, Dan Brouwer, Karma R. Chávez, and Sara MacKinnon into my life, and I look forward to celebrating this accomplishment with all of them. Last, but not least, Shane Grant, Bill and Pam Newberry, and the rest of my Atlanta family made the formative years of this project some of the best in my life. The folks at NYU Press made my dream come true. Ciara McLaughlin took an interest in this project before I even knew what it would become, and she shepherded this book through its early stages. After Ciara’s departure, Alicia Nadkarni saw the book through to its completion with equal care. The series editors, José Esteban Muñoz and Ann Pellegrini, and the manuscript reviewers’ careful readings and generous suggestions made this a better book. Similarly, the copyeditors’ attention to detail improved the prose. Eric Zinner’s guidance, including the selection of the cover art, made the whole process a smooth one. Because of the insane copyright regimes...

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