Wounded Wings is the true story of Gilbert Johnson, a tragic young man who chased adventures around the world, all the while dreaming of becoming a novelist. He especially wanted to tell a story based on his life, but a secret struggle shackled his creativity. Meanwhile, Gilbert found safety by earning a black belt in karate. Ohara Publications hired him as the Assistant Editor of Black Belt magazine, and following the death of Bruce Lee, he was assigned to edit Lee’s memoir Tao of Jeet Kune Do. Gilbert also practiced falconry, and flew his birds while living in Iran and Saudi Arabia.
In Isfahan, Gilbert experienced the historic 1979 Iranian Revolution first-hand. This American freelance journalist, with bright blue eyes, stood out in the crowd, yet he risked his life by interviewing citizens, secretly snapping photographs, and witnessing the carnage caused by the Shah’s soldiers. After a brief return to the States, Gilbert took an administrative job with Northrop in Saudi Arabia. In his free time he flew his falcon and explored the fascinating desert at night with a professor of biology.
Despite all his travels, he fell in love with a woman, but their affair wavered on and off for years. He couldn’t commit to marriage because of gender dysphoria. Ten years of childhood sexual abuse perpetrated by his grandfather distorted his mind.
This book concludes with information to help identify potential pedophiles, lists warning signs of abuse, and offers helpful resources, all in the hope that other children might be saved. Additionally, a Certified Graphologist offers in-depth handwriting analyses of both Gilbert and his mother.
