Tim Fitzgerald has just published Wawona Brotherhood, the first installment of his three-volume memoir, The Quest: A Breakneck race with revolution, revelation and redemption. The second, upcoming volume is titled A Diamond in the Rough. 

This is an important account of the 1960s, which spawned numerous anti-war groups in colleges and universities across the United States. Tim draws on his experiences and those of other key figures in the protest movement to tell it as it was lived. It's a story about triumph, failure and, as rarely confessed before, great personal challenge.

Surrounded by a town dominated by machine politics, bigotry and segregated off-campus housing, San Jose State University (SJSU) had its share of white anti-war protesters and black activists. SJSU was also the home campus of Olympic boycotter Tommie Smith. Together with Bay-area youths, they were all drawn to a hope and dream for a new society.

Tim is an accomplished writer and Silicon Valley activist who has taught history, politics and economics in community colleges in California. He graduated from San Jose State University in 1971 and holds two master's degrees, in economics and history. He is completing a master's in philosophy and preparing for his doctoral studies.

It's just in his blood! Tim not only speaks powerfully and lucidly about past struggles, he hasn't stopped thinking about America's future!

Timothy Fitzgerald

timothyfitzgerald97@yahoo.com

www.timfitzgerald.org

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Published by Strategic Book Publishing (New York, NY), in 2009, his book has received rave reviews:

Timothy Fitzgerald played an important, one might say key, role. His account of the changes and of his participation in them is fascinating.

– George E. Moore, Former Chair, SJSU Academic Senate, Chair Emeritus History Dept., SJSU

The story of the civil rights and anti-war activism that engulfed San Jose State University during the 1960s is still relevant today. Tim Fitzgerald's work reminds all of us that the basic issues which divided our nation then—a questionable war in a foreign land and the fight for equality at home—continue to haunt our society.

– Jim Beall, Jr., California State Assembly, District 24

Peter Bassels was born in Athens, Greece, 1923. In three books, he tells the riveting story of his life: first, as a commander in the Greek Resistance in WWII, then as an immigrant to Canada in 1953. I have had the special pleasure of working on two of his books.

His story begins in 1940. Mussolini had been soundly defeat in his war against Greece, and his ally, Hitler—having subdued most of Europe—saw his chance. As soon as German tanks rolled into his country, Peter took his father's .38 revolver and, with a handful of ordinary people, organized resistance to the German occupation. He was the youngest commanding officer—nicknamed Ntsavela.

Life in those dark days was cheap.

In 1942, he joined forces with Ari Velouhioti, leader of the Greek Resistance at the time. On one of his missions, Peter was captured by the Gestapo and tortured to within an inch of his life.

Using his wits, he managed to escape, freeing 40 captives scheduled for execution the following day and blowing up the German headquarters along the way. His escape netted him a woman captain in the Gestapo and two other Nazi officers. She later fell in love with him, after witnessing his compassionate treatment of her and her comrades.

Peter led many more missions, but soon had to face treachery from within the ranks of the Resistance. After WWII ended, a bloody civil war erupted. The politics of betrayal that reigned during and after that dark period (encouraged by the Anglo-American occupation) forced him to flee to Yugoslavia and on to Canada.

He is now retired, after a long and successful career as a Toronto businessmen. Although his painful wartime experience have kept him a foreigner in his new home, his life is a testimony to the indomitable human spirit...a story of survival and courage.

Peter has published:

The Immigrant (2006), the riveting story of life in the Greek Resistance and his immigration to Canada.

The Crossed Gloves (2008), a personal essay on Canadian life and politics through the prism of his wartime and immigrant experiences.

The Diary of the Young Captain (1991), on his activities inside the Greek Resistance from 1941 to 1945.

Peter Bassels 

(705) 687-1651

(705) 644-0036

(819) 597-4072

peter.bassels@sympatico.ca

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