A TIME TO KILL
THE FIRM
THE PELICAN BRIEF
THE CLIENT
THE CHAMBER
THE RAINMAKER
THE RUNAWAY JURY
THE PARTNER
THE STREET LAWYER
THE TESTAMENT
THE BRETHREN
A PAINTED HOUSE
SKIPPING CHRISTMAS
THE SUMMONS
THE KING OF TORTS
BLEACHERS
THE LAST JUROR
THE BROKER
THE INNOCENT MAN
PLAYING FOR PIZZA
THE APPEAL
THE ASSOCIATE
FORD COUNTY: STORIES
JOHN GRISHAM has written twenty-one novels, including the recent #1 New York Times bestsellers The Associate and The Appeal, as well as one work of nonfiction, The Innocent Man. He lives in Virginia and Mississippi. His new book from Doubleday is Ford County: Stories.
www.jgrisham.com
Author’s Note
A few years ago, while researching another book, I stumbled across American football in Italy. There is a real NFL there, with real teams, players, even a Super Bowl. So the setting of this book is reasonably accurate, though, as usual, I did not hesitate to take liberties when faced with additional research.
The Parma Panthers are very real. I watched them play the Ancona Dolphins in the rain at Stadio Lanfranchi. Their coach is Andrew Papoccia (Illinois State), and his assistance was invaluable. Their quarterback Mike Souza (Illinois State), wide receiver Craig McIntyre (Eastern Washington), and defensive coordinator Dan Milsten (University of Washington) were extremely helpful. When it came to football, these Americans answered all my inquiries. When it came to food and wine, they were even more enthusiastic.
The Panthers are owned by Ivano Tira, a warmhearted soul who made sure I enjoyed my brief time in Parma. David Montaresi walked me around that lovely city. Paolo Borchini and Ugo Bonvicini, former players, help run the organization. The Panthers are a bunch of tough Italians who play for the love of the game, and for the pizza afterward. They invited me to Polipo’s after practice one night, and I laughed until I cried.
In these pages, though, all characters are fictional. I went to great lengths to stay away from real people. Any similarities are just coincidental.
Thanks also to Bea Zambelloni, Luca Patouelli, Ed Pricolo, Llana Young Smith, and Bryce Miller. Special thanks to Parma Mayor Elvio Ubaldi for tickets to the opera. I was an honored guest in his box and I did indeed enjoy Otello at the Teatro Regio.
John Grisham
June 27, 2007
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