From Shadows to Sunlight: A WWII Novel by Lance Allen Lemanski

From Shadows to Sunlight A Thrilling and Romantic World War II Novel Inspired by the Remarkable Life of Robert Amidon "You have your education; now let’s see what you can do with it." Disowned by one of America’s wealthiest families, Robert Amidon left home with nothing but a suit, a dollar, and an iron will. From surviving the Great Depression to finding purpose aboard the renowned USS New Orleans, Robert’s journey was anything but ordinary. When he married Tony, a fiery redhead from Texas, paradise seemed within reach as the couple prepared to start anew in Honolulu. But it was November 1941, and their world—along with the rest of humanity—was on the brink of seismic change. This extraordinary tale is more than fiction; it’s rooted in the vivid, unvarnished autobiography of Robert “Bob” Amidon, as written in 1988. Discovered untouched in a safe deposit box decades later, his life’s account unfolds without revision, omission, or embellishment. Read more

From the Publisher About the Story When my mother passed away in 2021, she left behind a safe deposit box intended for me. Inside was a spiral-bound journal my grandfather had written in 1988. In its pages, he recorded the story of his life with a level of detail, honesty, and humanity that inspired me to bring his experiences to a wider audience. My deepest hope in writing this book is to honor my grandfather and the men of his generation who sacrificed so much. As the saying goes, every man dies twice: once when he takes his last breath, and again when his name is spoken for the last time. Perhaps through these pages, his voice and the voices of those who served beside him will continue to be heard for years to come.