preface
xparticular concept. There are numerous entries that I wanted to include,
but because of limitations imposed on the length of this book difficult
decisions had to be made for the sake of brevity.
I what to thank Gary Kessler of California State University for recom-
mending me to the press for this book, and I am grateful to the staff at
Routledge for nurturing this project, especially Leslie Riddle, Amanda
Lucas, David Avital, Katherine Ong, and Sophie Thomson. Thanks to my
colleagues in Religious Studies at Allegheny College: Glenn, Eric, Rabbi
Ron, Vika, Bill, and Eric the Elder. Their commitment to teaching, schol-
arship, and good cheer contribute to a productive academic environment.
When other colleges were retrenching during a recession Allegheny
boldly ventured forth under the leadership of our own Batman and Robin
dynamic duo, President Jim Mullen and Dean Linda DeMerritt. I am also
grateful for the moral support from Peggy, grandmother extraordinary. I
sincerely appreciate the hard work of Sarah Roncolato, a winsome and
vivacious lady of many talents, who checked the manuscript for this
book. Finally, it is terrific to be reunited with Mike and Ernie, who func-
tioned as role models for me many years ago, after decades apart.