In planning and drafting this book, in collecting and
discussing the anthropological data, and in many other
ways I was greatly helped by Ruth Marquis. By the time
the manuscript was completed other interests claimed her
and Kathleen Ray stepped in to edit the text for initial
publication. For that arduous task I owe her much thanks.
When this new edition was planned, it offered a welcome
opportunity to eliminate some of the shortcomings
I had grown aware of in the intervening years, to make
additions that I hoped would clarify my thesis, and to
correct errors that friends and reviewers had brought to
my attention. Revision also afforded a second chance to
make the book a more readable one. It was fortunate for
me that Mrs. Marquis was again able to help me with
the new edition. Thanks to her, it was brought closer to
our original plans, and enriched by what we had both
learned in the meantime. A note of thanks to her here is
only an inadequate expression of my gratitude.
The observations on children living at the Sonia Shankman
Orthogenic School of the University of Chicago,
which first aroused my interest in initiation rites, were
made by several staff members, to all of whom I wish to
express my appreciation.
Because I went beyond the field of my specialization
and competence in this book, the advice and criticism of
friends and specialists were much needed and valuable. I
particularly wish to acknowledge the many helpful suggestions
I received on the initial manuscript from Paul
Bergmann, William Caudill, Fred Eggan, Robert Fliess,
Maxwell Gitelson, Jules Henry, Morris Janowitz, Gardner
Murphy, David Rapaport, Fritz Redl, Jack Seeley,
Walter Weisskopf, and Fred Wyatt. They were responsible
for none of the book's shortcomings (some of which
they pointed out to me), and contributed a great deal to
whatever merits it may have.