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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Doug Melville (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

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.

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!

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.

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

I am American

Your book is truly inspiring and a must read for all Americans. I particularly took pride in this read due to my military service and pride of your grandfathers story. I loved how you fought for him and his legacy. Very poignant was for his recognition to be called an American. I too echo his views and do not subscribe to the title African American. I prefer and use Black or Black American and prefer ahead of everything American for which I am. I am an American. I was born here, served here in my country as an American. That reference really resonates within me and one that doesn’t single me and is out as being different. On this note I personally would like for Black History month to be removed. To me this continues to divide and isolate.
I am tremendously moved from your book on the following topics and how America treated blacks. War college reports that deemed blacks as inferior. This really pissed me off and disturbed me.

Limiting opportunities of blacks.

Performance is your voice when others doubt and deny you

By request. Love this and how it was used as a strength.

Red tails
Deliberate focused goal oriented

Use the system to diffuse the system

Look forward not down

Promise of America

3:39

Tuskegee Experiment

Robert E Lee
Negro-African American

Roosevelt remarks on being American

No royalty for loyalty

They fought two wars. Tail on the wing. Alabama coin

Racial hiring and discrimination legal in the US until 1964

Tuskegee Airmen didn’t exist formally until 1970

TAI https://tuskegeeairmen.org

I am American. Black or Black American

Talk about the struggles. Recognize and say thanks

Very profound read. Well documented. Literally the best book I’ve read. Thank you Doug. You are truly a hero and a force to be reckoned with.

Excellent story!!

Excellent history lesson on how to open doors for others when the odds are stacked so heavily against you. The Invisible Generals was an inspirational story and should be a must read for ALL AMERICANS!! I am so proud of the author his tenacity to bring these 2 Generals story to life his family legacy. I loved it and gave the book out as gifts to my friends who served in the army but had no comprehensiveness knowledge of these Generals of what that they did to pave the way for all minorities in the military. Total Trail Blazers.!!!!!!

The power of perspective

At first I thought this story was a biography about War Hero Benjamin O. Davis Jr and his father General Davis Sr. But it wasn’t.

This story is about the importance leaving your mark in world that is unforgiving and constantly erasing people with the power of media and headlines. We must get out of our bubble and take control of our family legacy.

Almost 20 year veteran review

Excellent perspective on my professional and personal visions. Great book! I already recommended to all my soldiers. Truly want to know how I can help these efforts.

Interesting

I never knew anything about this story. I really appreciate the hard work that it took to get this story to light.