THE OCCASION of the Littman Library publishing a new, paperback, edition of Founder of Hasidism is an opportunity for its author to revisit the work. In the interest of avoiding confusing those who approach the book on the basis of previous references to it in the literature, and in fear of unintended consequences, that a change in one place might lead to one in another place, neither the text nor the notes of the original have been modified. However, after so many others have expressed their views about the book and after so much that is new has transpired in scholarship on Hasidism and Israel Ba'al Shem Tov, this does seem to me to be a good time to assess this study and its career so far.

The Introduction to the Paperback Edition, which appears here for the first time, is an attempt to “review” the book myself, explain how it came to be written and outline what I see as its innovations and impact. It also sketches the development of scholarship on Hasidism over the last generation and how Founder of Hasidism fits into a larger reconceptualization of Hasidic history, as well as the controversy that has accompanied this. Next, there is an assessment of how the book has been received. Finally, in the new introduction I have engaged the more serious criticisms of the book. Readers who may have been wondering through these years what I have to say to the critics will find therein reinforcement of some of my assertions, attempts to parry some criticisms, but also a willingness to admit where I think critics have a point.

I wish to thank Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern, Gad Sagiv, Shaul Stampfer, Marcin Wodziñski, and Shira Wolosky who read drafts of the new introduction and favored me with valuable comments. The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, under the leadership of Ludo Craddock, once again has demonstrated faith in my work for which I am deeply grateful. Littman's managing editor, Connie Webber, has been especially active and encouraging in seeing the potential of this project and shepherding it through from conception to completion.

Authors don't produce books. They write texts that people with other talents make into books.