Acknowledgments

      I would like to thank Church Publishing for accepting this book and then turning around and holding it high for many to see. In particular I am in debt to the publisher, Davis Perkins, for being with Malcolm and me every step of the way through finalizing this book. In addition I am in deep appreciation for the fine editorial work of Dennis Ford and the astute production assistance of Ryan Masteller. They've worked very hard on the book—and to good advantage for all concerned.

      Malcolm and I wanted to find the right publisher so that the vital themes and lessons of Malcolm's life would not be lost or gradually fade away. We also wanted to find a publisher willing to risk the fusion of genres, biography/autobiography—especially since much of this work comes out of Malcolm and Michael's spiritual direction sessions. Like Malcolm's own writings, my intent in this biography is to honor how he broke new ground. This biography attempts to break new ground in how a biography is depicted in conversation between the writer and the principle life being depicted. In this regard, I am especially grateful for Malcolm's acquiescence to my “postmodern” use of direct e'mails between Malcolm and me and the concurrent use of digital images and text. I applaud Church Publishing for publishing this unique book that breaks new ground in its depth of honesty and inclusiveness. Before we decided on a publisher (and before we approached Davis),Malcolm sent me the following message:

      Dear Michael: Sitting here waiting for word of the book. Not easy! Our fate seems to be in the hands of complete strangers who, frankly, may not give an honest damn about us. Yet one must persevere.

      Our immediate goal, I believe, is to have the book published. Hopefully by someone who at least likes it, hopefully loves it. The book is an original, i.e., there is nothing remotely like it in the book market. It ploughs new ground. It opens up doors and windows. It also concerns major historic and contemporary issues. If there are a few structural problems, surely they can be addressed successfully in an editing process.

      It isn't a time for us to refuse to be flexible. The goal is publication and quite soon. An editor who cares (and hopefully loves) seems to be a requirement. By its very nature, the book is a literal statement about openness and inclusion and relevance and honesty. We need a decision so that we can shift gears, engage in final editing, place all our resources in the debut of the book, and be moving forward. It will be deleterious and spiritually damaging to us not to do this. We need to weigh our actual options and, frankly, make a decision. To clear the air. To be creative again instead of stuck. As a matter of fact, what could be helpful right now would be placing the mss. in some semblance of final form (which doesn't mean not continuing to edit it), and sending it to a select group of persons who are qualified, asking them for input, reaction, suggestion, perhaps sharing vision. This could enable the book to be as absolutely and nearly fine as possible. I like “community.” I like the idea of a small number of persons who honestly care about the book's issues actively contributing, in a real sense, to its taking a public bow.

As I write this I don't know if you are on Mars or Saturn or even Venus. I am here in the City of the Angels. Just finished reading one of the best novels in years, The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer. It appears that the Sausalito Film Festival will be inviting me in August to read from my work (as I did in Anaheim at the Jazz Kitchen) and to be accompanied again by the same jazz group. Isn't that exciting? It is also the fiftieth anniversary of the Freedom Rides and my presence there will symbolically include all the other Freedom Riders too. So new life beckons! Time Marches On! All best —Malcolm.¹

      In closing I am in debt to everyone who granted me interviews. I am grateful to Mark Thompson for his ability to assist my writing process and his grace in handling profound subject matter. I also want to acknowledge three particular books by Malcolm that contributed to this work in a meaningful way: As I Live and Breathe: Stages of an Autobiography, Take Off the Masks, and A Prophet