Questions of Iron & Blood is the direct result of an incredible amount of support from a wide range of most excellent individuals, all of whom freely offered up their time, ideas, suggestions and enthusiasm, for which I am eternally grateful.
In particular, I would like to thank some people who went above and beyond over the course of this adventure. Dave Johnson and Tony Wion both read multiple drafts, each time providing indispensable feedback, ideas and edits – all of which strengthened the book and made me a better writer. Megan McConagha also provided uncompromising line edits for two of the drafts and in addition designed the excellent cover of this book.
Invaluable insights from reading later versions came from my parents Curt & Nancy; my in-laws Bob & Linda; my sister Laura; cousins Chris & Kim, Gretchen & Phil, Sandy, Stephanie; and my brother-in-law Scott. I greatly appreciate Trish Grinnell’s and Lizzi Campbell’s thoughtful, incisive commentary and Jennifer Walker’s sharp eye for edits. Dave & Cynthia Brown’s early and enthusiastic support were a huge boost, both literally and figuratively.
Jonathan Gardner’s incredibly detailed and on-point review of what I thought was the final version of my manuscript guided me past my own blinders and significantly improved the end result. Tom Mendicino and Melissa Kim each freely shared their deep knowledge of publishing and writing, and Julie Kingsley and Jessica Sinsheimer of The Manuscript Academy also provided invaluable support and advice for this first-time writer.
Colonel Rush Filson, USMC provided critically valuable details and insights into all matters military. Any mistakes, misrepresentations or errors on these items are entirely on me. The sharp end of the stick is a dangerous place to make a living, so I would also like to thank Rush – and everyone like him (including my father, father-in-law and my cousin’s husband) – who put themselves in harm’s way to keep the rest of us safe day in and day out. Your sacrifices are greatly appreciated.
Fellow Bowdoin Rugby Alumni, especially Tad Renvyle, Matt Torrington and Mike Appaneal offered kind support and assistance. My Pizza Villa Pylons and Sebago Brewing hockey teammates endured endless conversations about Finn over the past five years and kept coming back for more.
The staff at the Bird Dog Roadhouse and Elsmere BBQ listened, discussed, encouraged and, of course, provided much-needed sustenance (both solid and liquid) along the way.
Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank my wife Biz. Her faith in me never wavered, even (and especially) when mine did. Her patience is the stuff of legend. Her sharp eye spotted all of the errors – both large and small – that I couldn’t. Most importantly though, she saw what this book could be and then set about doing whatever she could to bring it to fruition. Like all that is wonderful in my life, it would not have happened without her. Thank you for everything – I love you.
