While working on this project, I have received the support of many individuals and institutions across several countries. Over the years that we have known each other, Ute Frevert has taught me more than anyone else about history, and her model has always inspired me as a scholar. At Yale University, where this project was first conceived, she, as well as John Merriman and Jay Winter, provided countless invaluable comments and suggestions on the manuscript. Among the Yale faculty and staff, I thank Laura Engelstein, Robert Harms, Christopher Miller, Mridu Rai, and Marcy Kaufman. Jennifer Boittin pointed me in the right direction at the beginning of this project. Mara Caden, Ranin Kazemi, Carmen Kordick, Meghan Lynch, Anja Manthey, and Nick Rutter have all read chapters and have given me numerous helpful suggestions. A special thanks goes to Sarah Cameron, Haydon Cherry, Sam Foster, and Dirk B?nker, each of whom has read either all or most of this work and has given me crucial feedback and many important ideas. The final result of this study is much better because of their comments.