Acknowledgments
Lyle SmithGraybeal has been the key figure in the rewrite work for this revision of Freedom of Simplicity. He went through the entire manuscript, updating statistics and illustrations and correcting misstatements. He then composed the first draft for the complete rewrite of Chapter 10, “Corporate Simplicity: The World.” It was here that his training in economic theory shone brightly. While I have recast and reworked and rewritten the chapter (and am therefore responsible for any of its deficiencies), I want to acknowledge the excellent work of Mr. SmithGraybeal in crafting the ideas contained in Chapter 10.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
from the 1981 EDITION
Anyone who writes knows that an author’s family always bears the greatest burden of sacrifice in the publication of a book. My wife, Carolynn, bore patiently my year-long obsession with the topic of simplicity. During the final months of writing, she took over all of my responsibilities at home and literally was mother and father to our boys. I thank her. Joel and Nathan were keenly interested in the progress of the book, and somehow always seemed to understand when the soccer game with Dad had to be cut short. We had many exciting and lengthy soccer games after the writing was done, even if I continued to lose every one of them.
The relationship between an author and an editor is unique. Roy M. Carlisle, my editor at Harper & Row, has an unusual ability to guide without dominating, to encourage without flattering, and to correct without discouraging. On several occasions his perceptive comments have opened up an entirely new creative direction for the book, for which I am grateful.
I was privileged to attend the International Consultation on Simple Lifestyle held at Hoddesdon, England, in March of 1980. The many Christian friends from around the world whom I met at that gathering helped me to see the infinite variety of faithful witnesses to the life of simplicity.
My deep appreciation goes to Dorothy Craven, Professor of English, Emeritus, at Friends University, who read the entire manuscript and made many helpful suggestions. My thanks also to a small literary group at Friends University who listened as I read much of the text of this book and encouraged me in its writing.
Numerous people read all or part of the manuscript and gave valuable suggestions. They include Kenneth Boulding, Harold Friesen, Verlin Hinshaw, Howard Macy, Raymond Nelson, and Tom Rozof. My thanks to Leroy Brightup and Harold Cope, who encouraged me throughout this project; and to Marilyn Pitts and Wanda Payne, who did the typing.
These and the many others who have surrounded my life have helped give shape to this book. I owe them an immense debt. They are the living voice of the Church—vita vox ecclesiae.