Acknowledgments
Given the large number of years spent in research and writing about the Arctic, the list of individuals who have helped in various ways is long. First and foremost, deepest appreciation goes to my wife, Nancy Fogel Chance, who has been the finest lifelong companion imaginable; and who, many years ago, first introduced me to the field of anthropology. Since that time we have been intellectual as well as personal collaborators, sharing life’s bounties and difficulties with dedication and affection.
Others who have helped along the way include Elena Andreeva, Gary Anders, Asen Balikci, Fred Bigjim, Max Brewer, Ernest “Tiger” Burch, Jr., Jean Briggs, John Collier Jr., Dave Damas, Nancy Yaw Davis, Dennis Demmert, Nick Flanders, Don and Berit Foote, Lou Giddings, Charles Hughes, Irma and John Honigmann, Bill Irving, Diamond Jenness, Dorothy Knee Jones, Judy Klienfield, Helge Kleivan, Steve Langdon, Margaret Lantis, Helge Larson, Edna Ahgeak MacLean, Steve McNabb, Tom Morehouse, Gail Osherenko, Bob Rausch, George Rogers, Frank Vallee, Jim VanStone, and Oran Young. All deftly sheered me away from shallow shoals while demonstrating that wonderful colleagiality so characteristic of northern scholars.
In addition, I want to thank those Inupiaq residents of Kaktovik and Barrow who have shared their life with me – in particular, the Ackootchooks: Daniel, George, Isaac and Mary, Thomas and Myrtle; Archie Brower, Fred and Dorothy Gordon, Al Hopson, Harold and Mae Kavelook; Vincent Nageak, Herman and Mildred Rexford; Mary Ann Rexford Warden; Fenton Rexford, Pete Sovalik; Simon Tagarook; and many others. Without the sharing of their extensive indigenous knowledge, my understanding of Arctic Alaska would be greatly diminished. They were, in a special sense, my teachers, and for that I am most grateful.
Finally, of the many people who stimulated my interest and knowledge of village China, I especially want to thank Paul T.K.Lin, William Hinton, Sid Engst and Joan Hinton, Fred Engst, Zang Junhong, Yang Haiping, Jia Liling, Chris Gilmartin, Frank Kehl, Julia Kwong, Vera Schwartz, Mark Selden, Peter Seybolt, and Cliff Durand.
