Ambassador Walter Annenberg was the first of these people, in 1963 he gave me a scholarship to the Annenberg School for Communications and because of this, I discovered that photography would become my life's passion. I am very fortunate and grateful to have had the opportunities that the Annenberg School afforded me. I want to thank Ambassador Annenberg and Kathleen Jamieson, Dean of the Annenberg School, for their continuous encouragement and support.

Barbara Kurgan, Terri Barbero, Cameron Baird, Julie Claire, Sandra Wong, Stephani Cunningham, Joanne Roe, and Meredith Lue have all worked in my studio. Their friendship, encouragement, and assistance have allowed me to concentrate on making my photographs. I have also been lucky to have wonderful interns who have generously given their time.

I am very grateful to the countless photo editors and art directors who, over the years, have given me the opportunity to photograph so many fascinating people and situations. They gave me the chance to make many of the pictures in this book. Too many years and too many assignments have gone by for me to thank each person individually.

I very much appreciate the hard work and dedication of the assistants that have worked with me over the years and have been invaluable in the making of my pictures. Their dedication and hard work are extraordinary. Here also, there are too many to name.

Sarah Jenkins and Lesley Yudelson made the beautiful silver prints that allowed Robert Hennessey to make the perfect separations for Stevan Baron to work with on press.

Without the ingenious work of Anna Roma and Michael Dalton, who wrote the computer program that runs both my studio and library, I would still be working out of legal boxes.

Melissa Harris from Aperture was a wonderful editor to collaborate with on this book. And Wendy Byrne the designer had the perfect vision. My gratitude to Michael Hoffman for believing in American Odyssey and making it a reality.

And of course I want to thank my husband, Martin Bell, whose brilliant eye and invaluable advice means everything to me.

I consider myself very fortunate indeed in having had the wonderful life that photography has given me. Over the years I have met and photographed so many special people and they have generously allowed me to enter their lives. My deepest thanks to all of you who trusted me and allowed me to take your picture.
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