xv Acknowledgments There were so many people who worked on this project in the background and the foreground at ABC-CLIO. You all have my sincerest gratitude. Much obliged to Kim Kennedy-White who assigned me the project. I am thankful for Barbara Patterson who dealt with all the mind-boggling details. Jane Glenn, the develop- mental editor for this project, is a rock star. Whenever I had problems she was there. I appreciate all the work put in by the contributors. Shruti Chopra and Larry Gold- berg at Westchester Publishing Services were an enormous help. My wife, Shula, put up with me as did my daughters, Taya and Tamya. I am grateful for their patience. Finally, thank you to my ancestors, known and unknown, for providing me this opportunity.