Thoreau's Legacy (20 page)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I was on the road to Atlanta with my wifeover the holidays, reading one of the nearly one thousand submissions we received for this anthology—she was driving—when I turned to her and said that with another editor or another team of reviewers, this book might look completely different. We received so many strong contributions that narrowing the field proved extremely difficult. Every voice speaking out on climate change should be heard.

With that in mind, I want to begin this effusive outpouring by thanking the talented and committed individuals who wrote and submitted essays and contributed photographs for Thoreau’s Legacy. Thank you for taking the time to create these accounts and share your lives with us. To the selected authors, an extra word of appreciation for all your patience in what must have seemed an interminable production schedule. You are a great group of people, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know you.

At the Union of Concerned Scientists, this project received quick and enthusiastic backing from our leadership, in particular Kevin Knobloch, Kathy Rest, Lance Pierce, Peter Frumhoff, and the person who was always there to listen and guide, Suzanne Shaw. The talented team that helped get the word out to the public included Karla Capers, Nancy Cole, Kate Abend, Meredith Rutrick, Katy Love, and Rouwenna Lamm. Jean Sideris was a captain of this crew and also a key reviewer of essays. Colleen MacDonald made important contributions at all stages, as did the entire UCS communications department. Brenda Ekwurzel read each essay with a discerning scientific eye, even when she didn’t have time. And Brian Halley was an invaluable resource in reviewing essays and offering advice on all things “book.”

It has been a pleasure to work with our partners and new friends at Penguin Classics. John Fagan, the man who helped engineer it all, was there from the conception of the project to review of the essays to the rollout of the book. John, I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. The leadership of Kathryn Court and Elda Rotor was vital to the success of the anthology. Maureen Donnelly helped get Thoreau’s Legacy on track and coordinated publicity along with Gabrielle Gantz. Molly Barton at Penguin Group judged essays and helped narrow the field of entries. Thanks also to Dennis Swaim and Lynn Rogan of the advertising and promotion team; Jeff Gomez and Kristin O’Connell of Penguin Online; Bibi Baksh in marketing; and Norm Lidofsky, Trish Weyenberg, Patrick Nolan, and the entire Penguin Group paperback sales force. The fabulous Sabrina Bowers designed the hardback version of the book.

Support for this project extends beyond UCS and Penguin Classics. Aric Caplan made a very productive connection that helped launch this partnership, and Cynthia Schumm and Benjamin Smith at Bright Satellite provided important advice and promotional support. Our appreciation goes to the hundreds of booksellers who displayed Thoreau’s Legacy easels in their stores. We are grateful to Barbara Kingsolver for contributing her foreword during a very busy time, as well as to Judy Carmichael for her help. And one large bear hug to Meghan Hayes, who never complained when the anthology’s editor spent many late nights at the computer.

I am indebted to Peg Anderson, our first-class manuscript editor and an unsung hero of the anthology. Peg, you wield a precise and caring editing pen. Finally, to Sheryl Eisenberg and Lori Gomes, the creative maestros at Mixit Productions: you somehow read my mind every step of the way. Thanks to both of you for bringing the authors’ hard work to life. It’s been a privilege.

—Richard Hayes