ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to Emily Bestler, my editor, and to Sarah Branham and the rest of the family at Atria and Pocket. Many thanks to certain daughters of Freemasons and Air Force officers, certain syndicated Washington columnists, and certain congressional and White House officials. Special thanks to the staff and docents at Mount Vernon, Library of Congress, U.S. Capitol, and National Archives for their generous assistance and outstanding public service; you are a national treasure. And an extra-special thanks to my son, Alex, president of the student body at his elementary school, for his research on Benjamin Banneker, and for his example in looking out for the interests not just of his friends and little brother, Jake, but of everyone on the school yard. America needs more leaders like you.
