Acknowledgments
I suppose that if any kind of book should spring fully formed from the mind of its author it would be a memoir. But at least with this memoir, that was not the case. I had considerable help along the way, which it’s a pleasure, now that the labors are nearly ended, to acknowledge.
Chris Calhoun’s contribution stretched far beyond what anyone would have the right to expect from even the best of literary agents. He was crucial in getting this project up and running, then provided ongoing insight, generous support, and amiable advice.
Alex Star saw the possibilities for this subject well before I did; he published an early essay that was the book’s seed, and continued to take an interest in the book long after any professional obligation had lapsed.
Daniel Menaker took the project on at Random House, believed in it before there was much reason to, then, at exactly the right moment, cast his superb editorial eye on the manuscript. I have profited from his help no end.
Katie Hall took the book over and, with dash and generosity of spirit, saw it through its final phases.
Michael Pollan read and reread the book, always improving it with his comments and continually bolstering me with his encouragement. Those who know Michael and his work will understand how fortunate I am to have such a friend.
I am grateful to my colleague Chip Tucker, who brought his considerable learning and acumen to bear on the manuscript and, as he has with all my books, made it palpably better than it would have been without him. My former teacher David R. Lenson read the book and responded with great high spirits and plenty of fine suggestions.
Michael DeLeo gave me the benefit of his wit, good humor, and considerable insight. I thank him profusely.
Thanks also to Veronica Windholz for numberless useful interventions, to Megan Marshall and Jason Bell for wise advice, and to Greg Adams for a critical favor at the right moment.
My sons, Willie and Matthew, kept me afloat during the hard times and enhanced the good ones no end. To my wife, Liz, I owe the most of all. She is my first reader, first editor, fervent ally, and sage adviser. All through the writing of this book, I had the blessing of her love, humor, steadfastness, and grace. No expression of thanks could encompass all that she has done for me.
MARK EDMUNDSON
TEACHER
Mark Edmundson is a professor of English at the University of Virginia. A prizewinning scholar, he has published a number of works of literary and cultural criticism, including Literature Against Philosophy, Plato to Derrida. He has also written for such publications as The New Republic, The New York Times Magazine, The Nation, and Harper’s, where he is a contributing editor.
ALSO BY MARK EDMUNDSON
Towards Reading Freud:
Self-Creation in Milton, Wordsworth, Emerson
and Sigmund Freud
Wild Orchids and Trotsky:
Messages from American Universities (ed)
Literature Against Philosophy, Plato to Derrida:
A Defense of Poetry
Nightmare on Main Street:
Angels, Sadomasochism and the Culture of Gothic
FIRST VINTAGE BOOKS EDITION, SEPTEMBER 2003
Copyright © 2002 by Mark Edmundson
Vintage and colophon are registered
trademarks of Random House, Inc.
The Library of Congress has cataloged the
Random House edition as follows:
Edmundson, Mark.
Teacher: the one who made the difference / Mark Edmundson.
p. cm.
1. Lears, Frank. 2. High school teachers—United States—Biography.
I. Title.
LA2317.M49 E36 2002
373.11’0092—dc21
2001048981
www.vintagebooks.com
www.randomhouse.com
eISBN: 978-0-307-42805-9
v3.0
Teacher Page 27
