Wounded Wings: One Man’s Secret Struggle is the true story of Gilbert Johnson, whose remarkable life was shaped by a secret buried in childhood. Born into a troubled family in postwar California, Gilbert suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted male relative. Unable to tell anyone, he masked the trauma with bravado, talent, and a hunger for adventure. As he grew, Gilbert became a gifted martial artist, a world traveler, and an editor at Black Belt Magazine, where he helped shape the memoirs of Bruce Lee. But behind the success was a man haunted by shame, restlessness, and the toll of secrets left unspoken.

His story moves from the deserts of Iran to the falconers of Saudi Arabia, and from the inner world of PTSD to the outer performances of a life lived on the edge. Co-authored by his siblings Jeanne Donovan and Ronald Johnson, Wounded Wings weaves together family memory, handwritten letters, psychological insight, and first-person reflections. The memoir does not offer easy redemption. Instead, it honors the complexity of abuse, the lifelong impact of trauma, and the search for meaning after the truth is finally spoken.

The book’s latter chapters go beyond personal narrative to include educational material for readers and families. These include behavioral profiles of sexual offenders, early warning signs of abuse, and practical guidance for those already harmed. In addition, handwriting analyses of Gilbert and his enabling mother provide insight into personality traits and unresolved trauma revealed through script. This deeply personal narrative will resonate with survivors, their families, and anyone who believes in the power of bearing witness. It also invites broader conversations about masculinity, silence, resilience, and the generational costs of unresolved pain.