Invisible Generals

Rediscovering Family Legacy, and a Quest to Honor America's First Black Generals

By: Doug Melville

Narrated by: Doug Melville

This amazing true story of America’s first Black generals, Benjamin O. Davis Sr. and Jr., a father and son who helped integrate the American military and created the Tuskegee Airmen, is “the book Black America needs in this moment” (Eboni K. Williams, lawyer and cohost of State of the Culture).

Red Tails, George Lucas’s celebration of America’s first Black flying squadron, the Tuskegee Airmen, should have been a moment of victory for Doug Melville. He expected to see his great-uncle Benjamin O. Davis Jr.—the squadron’s commander—immortalized on-screen for his selfless contributions to America. But as the film rolled, Doug was shocked when he realized that Ben Jr.’s name had been omitted and replaced by the fictional Colonel A. J. Bullard. And Ben’s father, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., America’s first Black general who helped integrate the military, was left out completely.

Dejected, Doug looked inward and realized that unless he worked to bring their inspirational story to light, it would remain hidden from the world just as it had been concealed from him.

In this “thoughtful, highly readable blend of family and military history” (Kirkus Reviews), Melville shares his quest to rediscover his family’s story across five generations, from post-Civil War America to modern day Asia and Europe. In life, the Davises were denied the recognition and compensation they’d earned, but through his journey, Melville uncovers something greater: that dedication and self-sacrifice can move proverbial mountains—even in a world determined to make you invisible.

Invisible Generals recounts the lives of a father and his son who always maintained their belief in the American dream. As the inheritor of their legacy, Melville retraces their steps, advocates for them to receive their long-overdue honors and unlocks the potential we all hold to retrieve powerful family stories lost to the past.

Story needing to be made visible

This was a phenomenal read an untold story of two great men who loved their country and knew the importance of laying a foundation for those who would come after them. Being okay that not everything may be changed in their lifetime but knew the work they put in would help it to come eventually. This is a must read.

The Real story!

All the injustices that were done to so many deserving individuals, and and when they were trying to correct them they failed!

Absolutely Amazing American History!!! Knowing more is always a great thing!!

This was an amazing share of knowledge and history which should not go quietly into the wild blue yonder. I am so grateful the author decided to share his family’s story. I knew of both of the ‘Invisible Generals’ and learning the back story elevates them even higher on my list of inspiring contributors to our collective saga of American History. Thank you sincerely for sharing and educating us.

This is a must learn story for all of us. The playing field has never been and may never be equal or level but it is THESE stories which inspire and motivate us to keep pushing our way up to the tables and out of the stereotypes.

Cheers all!

TGH

Essential American Black History

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, which became a pleasurable, joyous reading journey, with such a positive, enlightening story about the Invisible Generals, whom I knew so little about.
I was educated about the names because of the Black History Month teaching I received in elementary school.
However, the author presented an incredible historical account of the first two American Black four-star military generals.

The author is a first-time novelist who is an excellent storyteller and has produced an excellent work of historical knowledge, inspiring anyone and everyone who reads this novel to become inspired, filled with gratitude, and humbled with his words of wisdom to seek and cultivate a mindful understanding of diversity and inclusion within our world.

CSM B

Excellent story. I’ve been in the military 36 years and counting and never knew this story. I have forward this book’s title to 20 people as a must read.

This is Soldiering to 100%

Appreciated.

Hi5.