Commodities for Every Portfolio: How You Can Profit from the Long-Term Commodity Boom

Acknowledgments

Writing this book was truly a team effort. Throughout the writing process, many people along the way have provided support, guidance, and simple encouragement. Words alone cannot begin to express my sincere gratitude for these individuals.

I am thankful for my parents, John and Maria Balarie, who sacrificed so much so that I would be able to achieve and accomplish all that I set out to do. Over the last year, my dad and mom have worked long hours building their house from the ground floor up. Their dedication, hard work, and perseverance served as an example to me throughout the writing process.

I would also like to Barbara Schmidt-Bailey from the Chicago Board of Trade for providing me with the opportunity to speak at the conference that initially provided me with this book-writing opportunity. At that conference I met Laura Walsh, who was instrumental in putting my passionate views about the commodity markets to paper. I am also grateful for Laura Walsh and Emilie Herman from John Wiley & Sons for their editorial guidance.

As I was writing this book, I had to naturally sacrifice some of my time both at work and outside of work. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Angela and Shane Wisdom for providing me with a work environment that allowedme to write a book in less than six months, and also for their added support along the way. Lisa Hardin was instrumental in reading through my manuscripts and providing accurate suggestions. And Zachary Oxman provided valuable ...