A life with acetogens, thermophiles, and cellulolytic anaerobes.

Frankly, I was surprised to receive an invitation to write a prefatory chapter for the Annual Review of Microbiology. I have read several such chapters written by outstanding researchers, many of whom I know and admire. I did not think I belonged to such a preeminent group. In my view, my contributions to the physiology and biochemistry of anaerobic thermophilic bacteria and, more lately, to anaerobic fungi are modest compared to the contribution made by other authors of prefatory chapters. I am honored to write about my life and my work, and I hope that those who read this chapter will sense how exciting and rewarding they have been.