The Lightstep (47 page)

This is a work of fiction. The city and state of Erzberg that I have
described never existed, and most of the events I have related did
not occur. Nevertheless I have tried to make the historical
context of my story as accurate as possible. I am deeply indebted
to those scholars on whose work I have relied to help me understand
aspects of this complex and crucial period: TCW Blanning
(The French Revolution in Germany
and
Reform and Revolution in
Mainz),
Peter H Wilson
(From Reich to Revolution),
GP Gooch
(Germany in the French Revolution),
William D Godsey
(Nobles and
Nation in Central Europe)
, Philip Haythornthwaite
(Uniforms of the
French Revolutionary Wars)
and many others, including compilers
of websites and editors of letters, dictionaries and chronologies. I
owe particular thanks to Dr William O'Reilly of Trinity Hall,
Cambridge for reviewing the manuscript and for the many helpful
suggestions he has made.

And like so many authors I owe thanks too to all those
friends and colleagues who have read the book for me, and
whose comments and encouragement have helped me so much
as the story evolved: Pippa, Kim, Bruce, Amanda, Julia, Ginger,
Peter, Peter, David, Linda, Ben, Dorie, Paul, Oliver, Jane, Anne-Francoise,
Alex and . . . you all know who you are. Thank you so
much.