I was lucky and/or smart enough to hire a phenomenal research assistant in George Aumoithe, whose diligence, brilliance, and razor-sharp critical faculties improved the book immeasurably. (And thanks to Eric Foner for putting me in touch with George.)
A number of folks were kind enough to talk to me while working on the book and offer guidance, expertise, and feedback: Akhil Amar, Peter Moskos, Harold Pollack, John Pfaff, Jelani Cobb, Barry Friedman, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Michelle Anderson, Collier Meyerson, Cassie Fennell, Issa Kohler-Hausmann, Julily Kohler, and Marty Lafalce. Obviously, all the errors that still made it in are mine and mine alone.
This book also could not have happened without the support of everyone at MSNBC, particularly All In staffers Allison Koch, Joelle Martinez, Tina Cone, Todd Cole, Brian Montopoli, and Diane Shamis, who all contributed reporting that made its way into the book. They and the entire All In team are the best in the business and make me smarter and sharper every day. Denis Horgan, our executive producer, has kept the show steady and thriving even when I was spending long mornings writing. Kristin Osborne is an indefatigable hustler and has been tireless in promoting the show.
My thanks to everyone at Norton, all of whom have been a joy to work with. Huge thanks to my editor, Tom Mayer, who in a very real sense conceived this book when he sent an email to my agent, Will Lippincott, asking if I’d ever considered writing a book about policing. He’s been a rock. Rachel Salzman is incredible at her job. She and the rest of the Norton team—Sarah Bolling, Bill Rusin, Meredith McGinnis, Steve Colca, Don Rifkin, Julia Druskin, Janet Biehl, Elisabeth Kerr, Mary Kate Skehan, and Laura Goldin—have all worked feverishly to make this book a success. I am deeply grateful for their labor. And my relationship with Will Lippincott continues to be one of the most rewarding of my professional life.