Great Moments in Acknowledgments
It's said that, in Washington, the typical book buyer turns to the index first to look for his name. But discerning readers now have a new destination: The acknowledgments. A generation ago, acknowledgments, if there were any at all, consisted largely of grants of permission and thanks to librarians. Today they might cover a multitude of pages, allowing authors to pay homage to agents and stockbrokers, list their friends and ex-teachers, tell heartwarming anecdotes, and generally indulge Baby Boomer self-infatuation.
Beginning this week, as a service to readers, The Weekly Standard will offer (as space allows) some of the more entertaining specimens that cross our desk. Readers are encouraged to alert us to their favorite samples of this new, as yet unheralded, literary device at Books & Arts, The Weekly Standard, 1150 17th St., NW, Washington, DC, 20036 or email acknowledge@weeklystandard.com
Without further ado, our inaugural gem:
"What can I say about my editor at Riverhead, Sean McDonald? His new editing technique is unstoppable! I don't think there's a page in this book that wasn't improved by some comment or query of his, and deeply appreciate his willingness to let the book evolve out of the form it took in the original proposal. Thanks to the whole Riverhead team--especially Julie Grau, Cindy Spiegel, Larissa Dooley, Kim Marsar, Liz Connor, and Meredith Phebus--for welcoming me into the fold, and giving me the support and encouragement I needed.
"This is the first book I've written from start to finish in our new home in Brooklyn, and so I want to acknowledge the whole supporting cast that makes up the urban oasis that is Park Slope: our many neighborhood friends who dropped by unexpected to save me from a paragraph that couldn't quite find its way to closure; the coffee at Tea Lounge and Naidre's (and yes, Starbucks--everything bad truly is good for you); the hundreds--or thousands--of people who make Prospect Park the perfect spot for an afternoon stroll away from the keyboard; the kids banging away at the study door, demanding some quality time with the computer (and if necessary, with Dad too); and most of all, my wife, who makes so much of the beauty and happiness of our life possible.
"But this one is for my agent, Lydia Wills, who has been in the ring with me for ten years now, and who believed in the book when even I had begun to lose faith. If she hadn't become such a superstar over those ten years I might feel as though I owed her something. As it is, I'm just happy she still returns my phone calls."
--From Steven Johnson's
Everything Bad Is Good For You (Riverhead Books)