My good friend and colleague Fred Kroon asked me to write a summary of my work, an overview of what I have done over the many years we’ve known each other and worked together.
So I set out descriptions of my works as I would to a friend or student, telling not only what is in each but also the genesis and background. It’s only because a few friends and colleagues have said they liked such descriptions and have not found them too much the ramblings of a garrulous old man that I have decided to write this.
So many people have helped me, have taught me, have given me direction in my studies and research. Here I mention only those I recall as having helped in a substantial way the development of some particular part of my work, though I am sure I have missed some. But in all my books I have an acknowledgements section at the beginning in which I thank the people who helped me, and at the beginning of each of my published papers I have tried to note who influenced the work.
ARF, June 2025