Prayed—we don’t pray like Christians. We gather together in our clan and describe the dream. We do not interpret the dream. We are to wait for the next dream and a sign that will give the meaning to the initial dream. Also the name is given by the people and the baby is presented to all the clans in the longhouse. When the person dies, the last night before he is buried, there is a ceremony to take back the name so he or she leaves without it. Now somebody else can use it. No two persons in the world can have the same name. The oldest person with the name can keep it but the younger person has to go back to the longhouse, wear new clothes and receive a new name.

—KAHENTINETHA BEAR (quoted by permission)

Acknowledgments

As always, this book is a Big Monster that took several years to write. In that time, dozens—if not hundreds—of helpful people have given me assistance and information, and while I’ve tried to note and remember them all, I’m sure I’m omitting any number of kind souls—who are nonetheless Deeply Appreciated!

I’d like to acknowledge especially …

… My much-valued editors, Jennifer Hershey (US) and Selina Walker (UK), Erin Kane (editorial associate), and the Penguin Random House “team” that have been invaluable in the editing, publishing, and promotion of my books over so many years—and are still at it:

… Kara Welsh, Kim Hovey, Allison Schuster, Quinne Rogers, Melanie DeNardo, Jordan Pace, Bridget Kearney—and—

… The long-suffering and noble production people who actually get an unwieldy manuscript between covers: Lisa Feuer, Kelly Chian, and Maggie Hart. And—

… Laura Jorstad and Kathy Lord, copy editors, whose tireless skill kept this book on the (mostly) straight-and-narrow path of correct spelling, usage, and other things I wouldn’t have thought of. And—

… Most Particularly, Virginia Norey, Book Goddess, the designer of this beautiful book and so many more!

… and a Very Special Acknowledgment to my dear friend and German translator, Barbara Schnell, without whose keen eye and helpful commentary this book would have LOTS more errors than it (undoubtedly) does.

Also …

… the Reverend Julia Wiley, Church of Scotland, for her invaluable insights and advice regarding the spiritual development and ordination of a Presbyterian minister;

… Dr. Karmen Schmidt, for her elegant advice on matters medical, anatomical, and apiarial;

… Susan Butler, personal assistant and proofreader, without whom nothing would ever be mailed and the household would descend into complete disorder;

… Loretta McKibben, my webmistress (of diana.gabaldon.com), oldest friend, and expert on matters astronomical and astrophysical;

… Janice Millford, who keeps the incoming email in order and prevents my being permanently submerged;

… Karen Henry, moderator and Chief Bumblebee-Herder of the Diana Gabaldon Section of the Literary Forum (TheLitForum.com) for lo, these many years, and