Stephanie Brown Ph.D - Speed: Facing Our Addiction to Fast and Faster--And Overcoming Our Fear of Slowing Down

Thank you. Thank you to so many colleagues, friends, clients, and family for years of support on this massive project. In contrast to the subject of Speedthis crazy, fast pace of life so many of us now think of as normalthe conception, writing, and revising of this book have gone on and on for many years. This book has been SLOW to find itself, and I trust it will be better for it.

The idea of a culture out of control needed time to develop. People heard it, began to read about it, and to watch themselves. More and more joined me in support. Three made this book happen. First, writer Joan OC. Hamilton has given me hands-on help with editing, support, and advice through a long, difficult process. Networker extraordinaire, she connected me with agent Jillian Manus, who believed in the idea and the book. She found Denise Silvestro at Penguin, who agreed: speed is a serious problem that isnt going away. Denise has given me a tutorial in popular writing, for which I am grateful, as well as unquestioning support for the idea of cultural speed as an addiction, and the process of recovery as a model for societal change.

Many others offered direct help and sustaining support. With great skill, Yvonne Pearson worked closely with me on the first draft of the manuscript, taking my leave-nothing-out first pass and trimming it down to cohesive, submission-ready form.

Next came friends who read the manuscript and/or offered support from early on. Barbara Tyler, Anne Hillman, Paul Goldstein, Laurel Leone, JoAnn Stultz, Gloria Van Bree, and Dave Mandelbrot seemed to never tire of the saga of Speed, and offered wise advice about the book and publishing.

My Addiction Institute associates offered the same endless support, always asking, What about Speed? Long-standing colleagues Tom Gorham and Patrick MacAfee offered me speaking opportunities early on, as did Santa Clara University, while cheerleaders Cathy Calliotte, Ed and Esther Bourg, Lenora Yuen and John Peters, Thomas and Kren Nagy, Cynthia Scheutz and Jim Perkins, Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson, Barbara and Ric Almond, and Joyce Schmid never lagged in spirit. Mary Jaiswal, Alison Reichenthal, William Reichenthal, Courtney Hughes, and Irene McGhee gave great examples. Computer guru Jon Wu jumps in to save the day.

My childhood friends Robin, Linda, and Patricia have followed the writing for years. Its safe to say everyone will be glad to see Speed finally arrive!

Last, but always first, I thank my husband, Bob Harris, for his support, examples, and humor; our daughter Makenzie; son-in-law Anthony; and our granddaughters, Campbell and Hadley, who have filled our lives with love, meaning, and purpose, ever reminding us that our cherished bonds grow deeper as we slow down, listen, and talk together.

Stephanie Brown

August 2013