ABSTRACT
When asked to comment on the first eight chapters of this volume, I eagerly agreed. On further reflection, however, I was not at all sure that I could provide the diversity of opinion that readers of a commentary might want to see. Consequently, I decided to discharge much of this task to three friends whom I call my “critics.” I must begrudgingly admit that, when it comes to critical analysis, they do a better job than I. Sometimes they are overly critical, however, which is why I find their company difficult for extended periods.
