The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin (41 page)

I would like to thank Dennis Holahan for so many things that it would be impossible to list them in the space allotted here. Suffice it to say that for the past ten years he has done so much to help me, in so many ways, that it’s not an overstatement to say that I doubt I could have written this book without his friendship, guidance, and unflagging support.

As was the case thirty-five years ago when I lived in Alaska to research
Going to Extremes
, dozens of Alaskans opened their hearts and homes to me during my return visits over the past three years. Many of their names appear in the text of this book. I hope they are already aware of my gratitude and affection.

There are others, both in Alaska and elsewhere, whom I’d like to thank, but so many of them—for fear of harassment by supporters of Sarah Palin—have asked me not to mention them by name that I’ll simply tell them all here how grateful I am and that I’ll convey my appreciation in a more personal way to each and every one as soon as possible. I wish it could be otherwise, but I have to respect the wishes of those who have expressed the desire to remain unnamed.

Among the exceptions are:

David Larabell, my agent at The David Black Literary Agency. It used to be that an agent made the deal, wished you well, and went on to the next piece of business. Dave Larabell is not like that. He has been with me every step of the way, providing everything from editorial guidance to the contractual restructuring that enabled me to research this book as deeply as I needed to. In addition, in 2009, when I’d just about given up on the notion of writing about Sarah Palin, it was Dave Larabell who persuaded me of her ongoing relevance to the American political scene.

Matthew Martin, vice president and associate general counsel at Random House, Inc., and David Drake, senior vice president and executive director, publicity, of The Crown Publishing Group.

Jenna Dolan, the best copyeditor I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. If you don’t like the book, don’t yell at her; she is not responsible for the content. In fact, though she may not have received public thanks for it, she copyedited Sarah Palin’s second book.

Geoffrey Dunn, author of
The Lies of Sarah Palin: The Untold Story Behind Her Relentless Quest for Power
. Such generosity of spirit from the author of a contemporaneous book about the same subject as my own is something I’ve never encountered before.

Russell A. Baer, DDS, and Martin Marcus, DDS, of University Associates in Dentistry of Chicago. People ask me why I went all the way to Chicago for dental implants. My smile should provide the answer. And thanks also to Lisa A. Uyehara, M.D.

The most important exception is my wife, the brilliant, beautiful, and fearless Nancy Doherty, whose editorial assistance—and so much more—has once again proved priceless.