Acknowledgements xi
I am forever grateful for the precious contribution of Matthew Teti who has
helped me see this project from inception to completion. Rossella Pansini has
made this book better in so many ways thanks to her magical skills. Infinite grat-
itude to my countless colleagues and friends who have supported me through
the years with humor and passion, Daniel Beaty, Carlo Citter, Lyle Humphrey,
Liliana Leopardi, Hattie Myers, Hall Powell, Catherine Rendon, Lorenza Smith,
and Ian Thompson. I am truly grateful to Father Salvatore Morittu for deepen-
ing my understanding of Sardinian culture and life. To Peter John and Masha
who have kept my sanity and sense of humor alive. And finally to Justin who
has patiently accompanied me through the long journey and has learned more
about Sardinia than he wanted. Charlotte and Altea have endured the frustra-
tions and shared the joys this work has brought, I love you.
I finally wish to dedicate this book to my parents, Anna Zambon who showed
me how to study and work while being a mother, and to Peter C. Hobart, who
reminded me how verba volant et scripta manent.