| This book grew out of a volume dealing with Alaska's struggle for statehood, which I initially prepared as a doctoral dissertation. While researching and writing that volume, I became intrigued with the career of E. L. "Bob" Bartlett. |
| Senator Bartlett died in 1968. A couple of years later I met his widow. We became good friends, and many hours spent in conversation gave me invaluable insights into her husband's career. |
| The efforts of state Senator John Butrovich enabled me to take the time off from my teaching duties to devote the needed energies to this undertaking. For this opportunity I am most grateful to Alaska's senior legislator. |
| Relatives, friends, and associates of Bartlett graciously granted long hours of interviews. I am indebted to the following individuals for their substantial contributions: Forbes Baker, Frank Barr, Doris Ann Riley Bartlett, Vide M. Bartlett, Frank Barton, Joan Bowers, John M. Cornman, Mary Lee Council, Dr. Don Dafoe, Justice John Dimond, former Alaska Governor William A. Egan, Joseph FitzGerald, William Foster, Charley Geis, Will Goding, Charles Herbert, Katherine Hurley, Joseph P. Josephson, Fred Lorden, Mary A. Nordale, Susie Bartlett Peterson, Dr. Irwin Silverman, Margery Smith, Paul Solka, Doris Stewart, Judge Tom Stewart, George Sundborg, Sister Marie Therese, Hugh and Madge Wade, and Ray Ward. |
| Archivists and librarians of the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library of the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and the Federal Records Center in Suitland, Maryland have given me immeasurable assistance over the years, and I am grateful to them. I am particularly grateful to Renee Jaussaud of the National Archives for always cheerfully sharing her Alaskan expertise with me, and to Renee Blahuta of the University of Alaska Archives for her help in finding a way through the voluminous Bartlett papers. |
| A wonderfully cooperative group of women typed and retyped this manuscript. My deep thanks are expressed to Kathleen Aamodt, Judith Smith, Mary Hayes, and Susan Hoffman. I also want to thank Dr. Robert Carlson, the Director of the university's Institute of Water Resources, and Charles Hartman, its executive officer, who gave encouragement and staff support throughout. |
| I am particularly grateful to Marian Tompkins for efforts far beyond the call of duty. She speedily and cheerfully typed the final version of this manuscript. |
| My good friend and colleague, Dr. William R. Hunt, read, edited, and reread the manuscript in its various stages. In addition, we had long conversations about |
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