Thanks to various people

Firstly, of course, to you Lily, for being my muse and inspiration

Then to Gerry Martin, who suggested that I simplify my long books into a more readable form and address them to you. Gerry also discussed many of the ideas of the books over the years and it is impossible to disentangle his and my bits. He added to many kindnesses by reading all of the Letters, several times, and making good ideas.

To Andrew Morgan who taught me to love history when I was seventeen and helped me to get to University. He urged me on to write these Letters and has read all of them several times and made innumerable suggestions for improvements, with his customary combination of wisdom and humour. 

To Sarah Harrison, my wife, who read the book carefully and made important suggestions and with whom I have shared the work and life upon which it is based.

To Iris Macfarlane, my mother, who set me off on a number of the thinking paths which have ended up with this book, and, at the end, read the book and made many valuable suggestions.

Thanks to David and Sally Dugan, who both contributed enthusiasm and ideas at the start of the writing.

Xiaolong Guan, my translator in Beijing, read all of the book through and made many useful suggestions.

To Mark Turin for reading the whole book carefully and made helpful comments.

To the pupils of Wuhan No.11 Middle School in China who commented on my ideas, and the Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing who did so likewise.

To Sue Lampitt and various pupils of The King's High School for girls, Warwick, for comments on a number of the "letters".

To John Davey, friend and literary advisor, for all his support and advice.

To Andrew Franklin and particularly Peter Carson of Profile Books who had confidence in the idea and encouraged me to write the book. To Penny Phillips who edited the book so carefully, as well as to all the others at Profile Books who have made producing another book with them such a pleasure.

To Miriam Franklin, Constanza Dessain, Paulina Arnold, David and Kim Prendergast, and Chris Dawes who all read parts or all of the book and gave very helpful comments.

To Kenichi and Toshiko Nakamura and commentators at Hokkaido University on an early draft of ‘Letters’.

To Dr Hilda Pereira for her thoughtful comments on the letter on ‘Violence’.

To Dr. Tim Jenkins for reading three letters and commenting on them.

Finally, to Inge, Lily's mum, for her careful reading of the text, and Lily's dad, Matt, who was always so supportive.