Bernard Shaw's Remarkable Religion: A Faith That Fits the Facts

xiv Preface
many of Shaw’s plays; and Charles Berst and Warren Sylvester Smith for
their insights into Shaw’s spiritual side.
Of those who have so generously aided this project with their time and
intelligence, I especially thank Bernard F. Dukore for his unflagging encouragement,
meticulous reading of the manuscript, and copious and illuminating
suggestions. Richard F. Dietrich, Daniel Leary, and Alfred Turco,
by their careful reading and often brilliant suggestions, have helped me to
understand what my book was actually all about. There are many others. I
will always be grateful to the late Fred Crawford for his encouragement
and support and to Dan Laurence, the dean of Shavian scholars, to whom
we all owe endless respect and something that approaches awe. I am grateful
to Michael Holroyd for elusive facts I was unable to ascertain for myself.
And I owe a debt that cannot be expressed to my students, who have
engaged me in lively and loving dialogue over the years. In particular, I
thank Leah Lowe, Page Rozelle, Georgia Brown, Phyllis Woodard, and
Judith Sebesta for their research and suggestions.
The editorial staff at the University Press of Florida has been as generous
and helpful as any author could wish, but I am especially indebted to
Amy Gorelick, who helped me to stand back from the work and really see
it after years of my being immersed in it, Jacqueline Kinghorn Brown, for
her assistance in making my rough offspring presentable to the public, and
Trudie Calvert, the copy editor, whose meticulous care and eagle eye saved
me from many embarrassing errors. Their help was indispensable.
Finally, this book would not have been possible without the unfailing
support and criticism of my wife, Jalma, who has been my navigator, coach,
and cheerleader for the ten years and more of its gestation.
I am certain to have omitted others. To those, my profoundest apologies
as well as belated thanks. Shaw was fond of quoting St. Paul: “We are
members one of another.” No one does anything without the assistance of
all others.