31 Bond Street (30 page)

I am deeply indebted to my gracious and talented agent, Marly Rusoff, and her partner, Michael Radulescu, for taking on this book. Thanks to my brilliant editor and publisher, Claire Wachtel and Jonathan Burnham, it found a home at Harper, where the dedicated team of editors, marketing, publicity, and sales have skillfully guided it to publication.

This book is based on a true story and made the transition from nonfiction to a fictional narrative over many years. During the long incubation of the novel, I had the good fortune to be included in a fiction workshop. Each member had a unique talent and perspective that greatly enriched this book, and I am immensely grateful for their ongoing dialogue and input: Martha Chang, Caren Chesler, Catherine Greenman, Brendan Kiely, Esther Noe, Rob Weisberg, and the novelist Jonathan Rabb, who hosted the workshop.

I would like to give special thanks to a group of readers who offered a fresh eye and intelligent feedback as well as many years of deep friendship and loyal support: Josephine Wallace, Deborah
Newmyer, Sian Evans, Claudia Thomas, Jed Brickner, and Wendy Weitman.

The author Beverly Swerling was a generous source of experience and professional advice. Other professionals offered insight and encouragement as I struggled to make this book happen, and for each contribution, the book came closer to reality: Alexia Paul, Marika Kyrimis, Shula Rosenblum, Hyeri An, Sarah Horan, Alexander Black, and Christine Brown.

Finally, I would like to thank my wealth of friends and extended family, especially my daughter, Ji Tan Haines, for being an endless source of spirit, humor, and creative inspiration. I dedicate the book to my late father, Hubert J. Horan, who had a special knowledge of politics, history, and the Civil War. He offered passionate discourse, friendship, and a guiding hand.