Acknowledgments

I am indebted to the help of many. Sandra Salmans read every chapter and offered invaluable editing and advice on small and large editorial questions. She and Barbara Wright inspired and encouraged me throughout the two years that I worked on this book. My colleagues at the University of California and elsewhere—patient and exacting readers—included Teresa Paloma Acosta, Marty Baron, Sandy Close, Doug Frantz, Tom Goldstein, Susan Rasky, Orville Schell, Peter Schrag, Tony Platt, Sharon Rosenhause, and my editor at the University of California Press, Naomi Schneider. All took time out from their busy lives to make this a better book. Others—Cynthia Gorney, Cecilia O'Leary, and Judith Romero—fed, consoled, and urged me on. Tona Vides was unfailing in her efforts to make my life sane. My aunt and uncle, Alex and Nadine Chaves, opened their home to me in Southern California and, after long days of reporting, offered their good company.

Mark Rabine helped in every way imaginable—researching and attending events that I could not make because of my teaching responsibilities. He read countless drafts and, with humor and patience, endured endless conversations about affirmative action and the campaign. My daughters, Geraldine and Lola, lived through two years of having their mother at the computer for too many weekends. They did so patiently and, when necessary, with creative revolt.

I also want to thank the Silk family. Leonard Silk was the economics columnist at the New York Times when I was just

starting out. He generously took the time to make me and other young reporters feel welcome and connected. After Leonard's death his family and friends established the Leonard Silk Fellowship Award, and this project was the first the fellowship chose to support.

Finally, I want to thank Professor Penn Kimball, who reached out when it counted most.