Author shares his experiences back to the towns in the Italian region he helped liberate 70 years ago as a Buffalo Soldier during World War II
LOS ANGELES, June 19, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In "Black Warrior: The Return of the Buffalo Solider," by Ivan J. Houston, readers are introduced to an autobiographical account of one man's inspiring personal experience returning back to Italy seven decades after liberating the Tuscany region from the Axis powers during World War II.
The memoir shares a little-known history and features the country that recognizes and honors the importance of the Black soldiers that freed them. Although Houston died before completing the book, his son, Ivan A. Houston, finished it with the help of some of the Italian people his father has impacted most.
"My dad asked me to finish his book, and I wanted to because I knew it was important to him to get the story out there," said Ivan A. Houston. "He was finished with about 95 percent of the book, and I was trying to figure out the best way to complete it. I knew that his Italian friends would like to say something, so I asked them to share how dad contributed to their lives."
The book also features images from the people and places Houston visited during his seven consecutive trips back to Italy, from 2012 to 2019. "The pictures represented Dad's feelings, and he was representing the Buffalo Soldiers. Italy is one of the few places they teach about Buffalo Soldiers."
"Dad wanted to get the story out about the Buffalo Soldiers and their impact in Italy," said Ivan A. "While many hear about the Tuskegee airmen, Dad was part of the group on the ground walking. He didn't like to walk, but it showed him a whole country that was grateful."
"Black Warrior: The Return of the Buffalo Soldier"
By Ivan J. Houston
ISBN: 9781663251305 (softcover); 9781663251336 (hardcover); 9781663251299 (electronic)
Available at iUniverse, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the author
Ivan J. Houston graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. He entered the University in 1942, left to serve in the Army from 1943 until 1945, and returned to receive his B.S. degree in 1948. From 1970 to 1990, he served as the chief executive officer of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Co., one of the nation's largest African American businesses, and was named one of the 100 Most Influential Black Americans by Ebony magazine. He is also the author of Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II. During his life, he sat on many corporate and community boards. A documentary film, "With One Tied Hand," chronicles Houston's return to Italy. Houston's second book, "Black Warriors: The Return of the Buffalo Solider," was posthumously completed by his son, Ivan A. Houston, following Houston's death in 2020. For more information, visit http://www.blackwarriorsbook.com.
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Media Contact
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SOURCE LAVIDGE
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