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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Writing this book has been a long and rewarding journey, one I could not have made without the help of many, many generous and thoughtful people. I am deeply grateful to Obadiah Harris, president of the Philosophical Research Society, who saw merit in this project and permitted me to quote from unpublished letters, notes and business materials, and to PRS researchers Maja D’Aoust and Paul Austad, who were unfailingly helpful guides in sorting through mountains of books, pamphlets and vital documents so that I could tell Manly P. Hall’s story.

I remain indebted to my cherished friend Steve Droullard, a constant source of sage advice.

I also owe thanks to renowned scholars J. Gordon Melton, Huston Smith and Rex Hutchens for their wise counsel, which made this project possible for a first-time author.

Innumerable people offered invaluable insights into the complexities and nuances of Manly P. Hall’s life and work, sharing their knowledge and trusting me to present it accurately. Foremost among them are Jo Ann O’Connor, Hall’s stepdaughter, and the late Marie Hall, who were courteous and patient in the course of my conversations with them.

I could not have written this book without the contributions of Pam Atkinson, Ann Badger, Linda Lee Beighle, Michael and Doreen Benner, Irene Bird, Phil Boroff, Mogens Brandt, Fred Cole, Michael Copner, Karen Cristino, Alice DeCameron, Priscilla Dewey, Adrienne Drake, Robert Elwood, Larry Geller, Robert Gerard, Bennet Bruce Gilbert, Dorothy Ives, Ron Hogart, Ann Holiday, Jay Kenny, Georgia Lambert, Hedda Lark, Larry Lytle, Elayne Manago, Michael Marsellos, James McCann, Michael Mirdad, John Pillsbury, Sterling Pollack, James Santucci, Stephen A. Schwartz, Nora loboda, Brad Stewart, Walter Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Susan Tonini, Charles Weber, Roger Weir, Clarita Woolridge and Dan York.

I also owe thanks to my editor, Jodi Wille, who vastly improved the manuscript with her searching questions and expert revisions, and to Adam Parfrey, for taking a chance.

And finally, I owe a special thanks to two remarkable men who inspired my work in many ways and gave my life deeper meaning, Col. Clarke Johnston and John Heston.