by Burton Hersh
Several individuals were especially useful while I was pulling together the background information that fed this book. Francis Sing, herself for years a prominent Comanche pow-wow dancer, sparked a lot of what animated my narrative. Professor Carolyn Johnston of Eckerd College and Chief Billy Cypress put me on the trail of a great deal of Native American sociology, which I used freely. I checked out and expanded or eliminated many of the financial details that drive this story with Michael Miller, a very seasoned banking and market expert. Ray Hinz, the impresario of Haslam’s internationally famous bookstore, supplied a lot of the ballistic and intelligence background I needed from time to time.
I actually read quite widely into the literature of the Native American experience. Two books come to mind among the many. The Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes of Southern Florida by Patsy West was very helpful. I couldn’t have done without Sanapia, Comanche Medicine Woman by David E. Jones.
A number of friends, several well established literary personalities, have been kind enough to read and respond to my text. They include Kay and Mike Barnes, Charles Gaines, Hunter Hague, David Kranes, Ron Satlof, James Wightman. Many thanks, much appreciated.
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Burton Hersh, November 2013