Liberation by Emilio Iodice was inspired by actual events during World War II relating to the freeing of fascist Italy. It is a work of fiction, based on facts. As a boy growing up in an Italian section of the South Bronx, Emilio sat around family tables listening to stories about the adventures of young people, immigrants, Italy, and, most of all, World War II. Scenes became real as he listened to heroes and heroines nonchalantly relate incredible acts of bravery as if part of daily life. He painstakingly checked and corroborated each story by speaking with those who lived and participated in the events, uncovering details that added drama and love. He swore to keep their names and accounts secret and to tell them in the form of fiction, only after their passing -- and kept that promise. The champions of this story survived by love, suffering, bravery, compassion, fearless leadership, and deliverance from fear and injustice, all performed in the shadows of secrecy. This book is a tribute to the "Unknown Warriors" who freed us from the shackles of evil oppression and fought the devils of hellish bigotry, cruelty, and arrogance -- and asked for nothing in return. Their sacrifices should inspire us to fight the fiends of intolerance today before they overcome us.
Emilio Iodice, born in the South Bronx in 1946, received his BS in Business from Fordham University, his MBA from the Bernard Baruch School of the City University of New York, and was named to BETA GAMMA SIGMA, the honorary society of distinguished graduates in Business. He conducted doctoral work in international business and applied finance at George Washington University. His academic field of study: "leadership."Iodice spent over four decades as a senior executive in the public and private sectors, as an educator and as a university administrator, including being a key official in Washington working for several Administrations, serving as a confidential adviser to the President of the United States, and reaching the top ranks of the civil service and the diplomatic corps.He is among the most decorated diplomatic officers in American history -- a Gold Medal for Heroism, a Gold Medal and Silver Medal for Exemplary Service, nominations for the Bronze Medal, and numerous commendations and citations.He speaks several languages and has traveled the globe. His passions were the Rome Center, its students, faculty and staff; Loyola University; good music, writing, and reading; his family and, especially, his four grandchildren.One of his recent books, The Commander in Chief (2020), was a Wall Street Journal Number One Bestseller.
