Peter Shrake - The Silver Man: The Life and Times of Indian Agent John Kinzie

I have learned many things while writing this book, but chief among them is the realization that a book is not just the efforts of one individual. It is, in reality, a group project. Certainly there is an author, but that author is supported and assisted by a broad range of individuals who all in some way made critical contributions to the project.

This book first started with an invitation by Destinee Udelhoven, the former Director of the Historic Indian Agency House to deliver a presentation on the career of John H. Kinzie in 2010. That lecture in turn led to an article published in the Wisconsin Magazine of History two years later. It was the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Chapter of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (the organization that owns and administers the Historic Indian Agency House), most notably Anne Vravic, who first raised the idea of expanding the article into a book. I was not sure I wanted to tackle such a project, but Anne was persistent. Her constant encouragement ultimately culminated in the work you see here. It also must be acknowledged that the board generously provided funding to help with research and publishing.

The Colonial Dames were the spark, but the editorial staff at the Wisconsin Historical Society Press carried the heavy load of transforming a mass of words into a cohesive manuscript. Director Kathy Borkowski provided endless encouragement. Senior Editor Kate Thompson exhibited great patience waiting for a first draft as I blew past several deadlines. My greatest debt is to Developmental Editor Carrie Kilman, who worked with me to forge the manuscript into its final form.

As an archivist it would be impossible for me not to acknowledge the kind assistance of staff at the Museum of the Confederacy, Chicago Historical Museum, Newberry Library, Kenyon College, and the Wisconsin Historical Society. Though I imagine many would say they were merely doing their job, it is by doing their job that people like me can do projects such as this.

Finally, this book would not have been possible were it not for the patience and support of my family. There were many days when my mom, Kathy Shrake, watched the kids and provided me many quiet hours to write. My wife, Kim, not only watched the kids but also had to endure countless impromptu lectures about Jacksonian Indian Policy and John Kinzie, as well as live with a husband who forever has his head stuck in the far distant past. But it was my two boys, Ben and Ethan, who really made the greatest effort. For over a year, both boys, both under the age of ten, displayed incredible understanding and patience (they actually hate that word despite my best efforts) as their dad worked from behind closed doors.

A book project is indeed the culmination of the efforts of many, but in the end the final responsibility for its accuracy lies with the author. Any and all errors or omissions found within are mine and mine alone.

PETER SHRAKE