“From Here to There: My Life Story” by Edward R. Leon Hamner is now available for purchase

Citi of Books is glad to announce the publication of the book “From Here to There: My Life Story” by Edward R. Leon Hamner. It is the author’s true story of how it was living in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, during the Jim Crow era, and military life, also his life as a citizen after the Jim Crow era in the United States. This book is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retail sites.

Edward Hamner Sr. is legally blind. He was born with a twin; however, his twin brother was born dead. He is the seventh child of twelve. He was born in Cottondale, Alabama, and raised in Peterson, Alabama, Fifteen miles north of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He grew up in a town with a population of three hundred. There was no type of building, just first floor homes, no utility for Black people, nowhere to shop, only two grocery stores, and no school for Black children.

In 1948, they were able to attend school about twenty miles from where they lived. After high school, he went into the military. After military services, he became a real estate appraiser, paralegal, income tax agency, EMT, and a notary. He is a BMI publisher and a minister (preacher), also a gospel songwriter.

“From Here to There: My Life Story” chronicles the author’s transformative journey through life, highlighting the challenges and triumphs faced by Black citizens in America. The narrative offers a poignant exploration of the societal expectations and limitations imposed on Black individuals while also serving as a broader commentary on the experiences of the Black community as a whole.

Throughout the book, powerful images illustrate the struggles and suffering endured by Black Americans. For many years, they have marched and protested in their fight for equal rights and the quest for political and social freedom. These images depict the pain of systemic oppression and highlight the resilience and determination of a community striving for justice and equality. The book also shares comparisons of how Black people lived now and then.

As readers delve into Edward’s story, they witness not only his personal growth but also the significant strides made in racial relations over the years. Edward’s journey is marked by a pursuit of equality, embodying a spirit of resilience and hope rather than hatred. The book emphasizes that protests and calls for justice stem from a desire to achieve the American Dream, ultimately illustrating the power of perseverance and the quest for equal rights at its core.

The author said in the book, “I want my children and your children to see what Black citizens have gone through and where we are trying to get to in life—equal rights, that’s all.” This phrase serves as the main lesson the author wants its readers to live.