This page intentionally left blanka c k n o w l e d g m e n t s This book has been a saga punctuated by the years I spent chairing the Research Initiative for the Study of Diversity, the most fulfilling and challenging endeavor of my career. As a final salute to it, I dedicate this book to Nels Madsen, comrade-inarms and generous spirit. Writing the book was also punctuated by my winning the MLA Lowell Prize and, for the second time, Auburn University's Creative Research Award. I dedicated those awards to my husband Nick for, as with all my books, his steady support, sense of humor, and willingness to accompany me on research trips to London make what I do possible. The years my books have taken to write are always measured in the wonderful research assistants I've had.