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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are only so many times people will listen to small but interesting stories about shopping. I quickly learned this when I started paying attention to shopping twenty years ago. Thanks, first and foremost, to Sally Mitchell for allowing me to contribute to this series, giving me a place to put all of this information. She is generous with her time, enthusiastic about the material, and is always the teacher and writer I wish I were. Her friendly advice made me feel as if I could write this book even when I was sure I couldn’t. My colleagues at Friends’ Central School have been supportive in many ways: a Farraday Summer Stipend bought books and other research materials, and I am grateful to David Felsen and the committee for their generosity Bill Kennedy and Grant Calder generously offered additional funds for books my colleagues in the history department—Gary Nicolai, Joel Dankoff, Jim Rosengarten, and Frank Fisher—offered encouragement and covered my classes when I needed time to write. Lydia Martin located the school copy of Charles Dickens’ Dictionary of London, and Marilyn Lager, our librarian, promised to buy a copy of my book. The discovery of the one and the promise of the other helped me to finish writing. Everywhere I went on the campus, someone was sure to ask how the writing was coming and if the book was done. I began to be afraid that I would disappoint you, but I really appreciated the encouragement. And yes, it’s done. My students helped me to clarify some of my ideas about shops and shopping. The students in Capitalism & Consumption this year startled me with their readiness to listen to general chapter outlines, as well as the fascinating history of linoleum and tea. You are all shoppers whether or not you want to believe it, and I am grateful for your help.