explain the subtle intricacies of daily life in Nicaragua to a less-than-subtle North
American.

One of the reasons I chose to work with Westview Press was the opportunity to
work with Barbara Ellington; as many people had predicted, it has been a great
experience. I also appreciate the efforts on my behalf by others at Westview, in-
cluding Kathleen McClung, Michelle Murphy, Martha Robbins, Connie Oehring,
and Marian Safran, who did a wonderful job copyediting the manuscript.

The research in Nicaragua was funded by grants from the McMillan Travel
Fund at the University of Minnesota and a generous Research Abroad Grant from
the Graduate School at the University of Minnesota. I greatly appreciate their
support.

A special thank-you is owed to my parents, Marion Selbin and Joel Selbin, who
instilled in me a commitment to justice, a love of learning, and a fascination with
politics large and small and who have always encouraged me to do the things that
I wanted to do.

Jesse Cordes Selbin, a truly wonderful child, frequently offered to help with this
book and did so far more than she realizes. Besides helping me keep this project
in perspective, she proved to have a delightful sense of timing about hugs, smiles,
and laughter. Zoe Cordes Selbin cleverly waited until the very last stage of the
project to grace us with her delightful presence.

This book is dedicated to the lovely and talented Helen Cordes, an amazing
person day in and day out. During the time I was working on what she came to
refer to as "our long national nightmare," she did far more than her share of
housework, yardwork, and, most important, parenting, all while working more
than full time as an editor of the Utne Reader. I stand in awe of her love and
devotion.

E. S.

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