Amharic, Tigrinya, and Ge’ez transliteration follows the Encylopaedia Aethiopica standard, with simplifications for the fifth (é) and sixth (e) orders to eliminate the frequently occurring schwa (ə). The Ethiopian calendar is seven or eight years behind the Gregorian calendar. All dates are given in the Gregorian calendar, except in direct quotations and bibliographic references for which it is not possible to determine the precise date of publication. In these instances, the use of the Ethiopian calendar is indicated by the abbreviation EC.

This book has produced a considerable number of debts—far more than can be mentioned here. It is a pleasure to reflect on the many relationships, old and new, that have sustained this project for nearly a decade, and to have the opportunity to recognize in some small way those whose ideas, suggestions, criticisms, and encouragement have shaped the book that is its final result. The kindness of strangers is remarkable.

I am particularly grateful for the many colleagues who read portions or all of the manuscript, and who in several instances shared materials with me. Their assistance has been invaluable. These include Bairu Tafla, Lee Cassanelli, Peter Garretson, Getatchew Haile, Ruth Iyob, Heather Sharkey, Shiferaw Bekele, Lynn Lees, Xerxes Malki, and Irma Taddia. Matteo Salvadore has discussed this project more than any other person, and for this reason deserves special mention. In addition, I have benefited tremendously from conversations with Abbebe Kifleyesus, Donald Crummey, Elizabeth Wolde Giorgis, Kindeneh Mihretie, Janet Neigh, Richard Pankhurst, Bertie Pearson, Semeneh Ayalew, and Tekeste Negash, and from the comments of the attendees at the International Conference of Ethiopian Studies and the Addis Ababa Junior Scholars Seminar. At the University of Rochester Press, Toyin Falola, the series editor, and Sonia Kane, the editorial director, have both patiently guided me through the publication process. Two anonymous readers also offered very useful comments, and David McCarthy meticulously reviewed and edited the manuscript.

I owe a unique debt to my patient Amharic teachers, Afework Wogayehu, Telaye Gebremedhin, and Zewditu Fesseha, and equally to Ermias Zemichael and Levon Djerrahian, who checked and corrected my Amharic translations. This project would not have been possible without the many hours we have spent together, and I look forward to those still to come.