The Boy from Reactor 4

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

THE FOLLOWING BOOKS served as reference: Svetlana Alexievich’s Voices from Chernobyl, C.C. Bailey’s The Aftermath of Chernobyl, R.F. Mould’s Chernobyl Record, Adriana Petryna’s Life Exposed, James Forsyth’s A History of the Peoples of Siberia, John Ziker’s Peoples of the Tundra, Ian Halliday’s Native Peoples of Alaska, and Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopaedia, Volumes I and III.

I am indebted to the following people for their assistance with this enterprise. Jaromir Jagr unwittingly inspired the plot. The men, women and children of Chernobyl inspired the writer. Lou Paglia, Neil McMahon, Jeff Palmer, Mary Jane Cronin, and Jim Cronin read early drafts. Elaine Thomas offered exhaustive input, infectious enthusiasm, and moral support. Scott and James Palmer of Palmer Group Media provided invaluable web design and social media exposure. Scott also created brilliant alternate cover art. Charlotte Herscher guided me to a superior final draft and made the experience a pleasure. Daphne Durham and Andy Bartlett turned a writer’s dream into reality. It’s a privilege to work with them and the rest of the Thomas & Mercer team. Erica Spellman-Silverman of Trident Media Group discovered the book and promoted it relentlessly. She is agent, counsel, and friend. My parents, Eudokia and Bohdan Stelmach, provided an education and instilled in their children a love and appreciation for America that remains the same today.

First and last, of course, I thank Robin for her love and unwavering support.