Foreword
I wrote the first pages of this novel over 20 years ago when I still had faith in progress. Since then, faith is no longer my default. At the time of writing, two of my greatest heroes were John Lewis and Robert Moses, who were folded into the narrative. Moses as a rough model for Bob More, the protagonist’s half-brother, and Lewis as the name for More’s dog, named after his own personal hero. The references were meant as a tribute to both men. Since then, the two have become icons in our present turbulence, Lewis becoming as close to a saint for us secular folks as we have. In the publication of this second edition, I have had cause to question the appropriateness of the inclusion of these men. Upon reflection, I have kept both in place. First, because they play important parts in the original story and to remove them out of a faux veneration would weaken the intent of the tale. Second, they were written with a respect and tribute that has not changed. It would grieve me if either would view this as a form of disrespect. I believe the storyline is as relevant today as when it was first begun twenty years ago and first published eleven years later.
