It would take a separate book to acknowledge all the wonderful people who helped me on the way to writing this book, but here I will mention just a few:
To my parents and grandparents, who taught me a love and respect for words; Vijay, Roger, Jane, Grazyna, Mel and Jeff for their encouragement at all stages of writing, my son Tom for his good humoured patience, Milan for his expert technical support, and the character of Hawkeye from the Mash comedy series, who taught me the meaning, purpose, and proper targets of wit.
This book is dedicated in loving memory to Anton Niedinger and Barbara van Davis, who always generously shared their love of words with those around them and who enriched the world, each in their own inimitable way, with their unique, loving intelligence. Proceeds from this book will be donated to cancer research charities.
"The great movements of the Renaissance all derive their vigour… from looking backwards." Frances A. Yates, Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition
