It has been my pleasure and privilege to create this book. I am indebted to many people who have helped it become a reality, beginning with those who assisted in the intellectual endeavor and in data collection. I appreciate the invaluable advice and guidance of Abby Cohn, Ioana Chitoran, Carol Rosen, Draga Zec, and Sam Tilsen. Fieldwork would not have succeeded without the generous efforts of my consultants in Romania and the United States, particularly Catalina Iricinschi and the Oltean family: Ştefan, Liana, Andy, and Alina Cîmpean.