Autobiography from 87-Year-Old NC Native Recounts Better Times in Character of State and Nation

Raleigh, NC, August 25, 2007 --(PR.com)-- NC native and successful entrepreneur Bill Henderson says that he grew up on “a steady diet of allegiance, first to God, then to family and country.” His new book, From the Sands of Iwo Jima is a gritty, raw re-telling of his life and the culture around him. Henderson pulls readers into some of the darkest moments of World War II then leads them into a world of politics where corruption was practiced by only the worst of scallywags. His was a time when, as a general rule, heroism, patriotism, and a steadfast faith was the measure of a man.

Through it all, he narrates the change in culture and climate of North Carolina and America, a change that he believes has not been good for his beloved country. The book opens with Henderson’s melancholy visit to Iwo Jima, 60 years after the battle. Visiting as a tourist stands in sharp contrast to his first trip to the island and caused some stark realizations.

“The ideas of duty, honor, and country were concepts that we lived daily,” he writes. “Concepts that formed the backbone of who we were. As I stood on Iwo Jima again, I worried that these same concepts today are only evoked in extreme circumstances and rarely sustained long enough to see our nation through.”

Based on what he’s done in his life, most would agree that Henderson is qualified to make that argument. On February 19, 1945, 23-year-old Lt. Henderson and more than 70,000 of his fellow Marines made their way to the beaches of Iwo Jima. Of the 1200 men in the unit he helped lead, almost 80% became casualties on the first day alone. Determined, though, he and the remaining soldiers fought just as hard as the Japanese to win that grueling, 36-day battle.

Throughout his life, Henderson built and sold numerous businesses. Some succeeded; some failed miserably. He worked his way up in status and respect and eventually fell into politics. He never ran for office but he got a bird’s eye view of politics in the state by working with governors Scott, Umstead, Hodges and Sanford. He asserts that back then politicians were more interested in what they could do for their state and less about what the state could do for them. They felt the weight of their office and the eyes of the people upon them.

This book is more than a walk down Memory Lane, it is an introspective look at a country that was strong, united and honorable. Henderson recalls a society and family that provided stability and accountability. He sprinkles the book with pearls of wisdom from his father; pearls that helped him develop a strong work ethic and a stronger faith in God.

From the Sands of Iwo Jima is a very personal, historical look not just at the life of one man, but at the declining vibrancy of a culture. Far from a perfect world, the book reminds readers of a time in which colleges were safe places, the pledge of allegiance was how you started your day, and US soldiers were heroes.

From the Sands of Iwo Jima will go on sale this summer. You can read the first two chapters for free by visiting www.itouchpublishers.com. itouch Publishers is a full service publishing company with over 15 years experience publishing and promoting authors. itouch Publishers understands the intricacies of publishing in today’s industry and offers effective programs to produce and deliver its publications to the right audience. To learn more, visit www.itouchpublishers.com

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