Читать книгу All Who Came Before - Simon Perry - Страница 4

Above all, the writing of this book has been enabled by the generosity of Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, who in 2008, granted me a three month sabbatical. At the end of this, several members of the church also read and very helpfully critiqued the first draft, most notably, Brian and Faith Bowers, Jean Harrison, Seth Stephens and Robert Doty. Great encouragement for this project also came from my colleague, Ruth Gouldbourne, our church secretary, John Beynon, and three members, Shona Scanlan, Jordan Tchillingirian, and Emma Langley. A former minister of the church, Brian Haymes, also offered invaluable insight, as have several other friends.

Ali Hale and Carys Underdown helped the idea to take shape in my head over lengthy conversations after chapel services at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. Others who have committed time to reading and helping with various stages of the Manuscript are Stephanie Brock, Simon Woodman, Dien Wooller, Roy Bagley, Kae and Rachael Rake, Mike and Belinda Smith, Bill and Joan Perry, Richard James Perry, and June Brotherton.

My own children, Willem, Lewis, Stefan and Alice, have heard various versions and summaries of the plot, and their competing cries for justice have helped to inform the story. Lastly, my gratitude goes to Edwige, whose constant encouragement, ridicule, and love, have ensured that the book was completed and the story heard.