Welcome
James Mikel Wilson writes about slices of American life in an unconventional style that readers find engaging. His range of genres include narrative nonfiction, creative nonfiction, historical fiction, presidential history, political parody, children, and pet adoption, travel and adventure. He can also be found on Instagram @jamesmikelwilson. Gatekeeper Press has published his last four works. The majority of proceeds go to: America's National Churchill Museum, Fallen Warriors Memorial, the ASPCA, and Monmouth College, a Midwest liberal arts institution.
In 2021, The International Churchill Society annual meeting held in London featured a stage play called Alliance, an adaptation of Wilson's Churchill and Roosevelt: The Big Sleepover at the White House. This book won an Author Academy Award in 2018.
NEW The Cherry Tree Weeps for Me - A Quest for The Dawn of Peace is now available in paperback and eBook @AmazonBooks, @BarnesandNoble, and many other of your favorite book sources.
SEVEN EDITORIAL REVIEWS
"James Mikel Wilson's The Cherry Tree Weeps for Me is a gripping journey through time. With the skill of a seasoned storyteller, Wilson paints a vivid portrait of a man who straddled two worlds, from Takashi Komatsu's beginnings as a twelve-year-old boy venturing overseas to seek his destiny to his pivotal role in shaping Japanese-American relations in the wake of World War II. Meticulously researched and utterly absorbing, Wilson's book delves deep into the complexities of Komatsu's life. What emerges is a tale of resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to peace and democracy. The Cherry Tree Weeps for Me is not just a historical account; it is a testament to the power of compassion, courage, and diplomacy in the face of adversity, a poignant story that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned." —Monte Francis. Multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist and News Presenter, France 24; Author of Ice and Bone and By Their Father's Hand.
"Wilson puts on full display in this book his liberal arts education to tell the story not only of the unsung hero, Takashi Komatsu, who was educated at Wilson's and my alma mater, but of the history of the relationship between Japan and the United States. Wilson ties together these threads and alerts us to the incredible coincidences. These included living next door to a curious younger boy in Monmouth, Illinois, who would later become responsible for one-half of the US occupation of Japan and, by happenstance, cross paths with Komatsu in Tokyo after 35 years of separation. They would collaborate to begin reconstruction, and their sons would become Monmouth College classmates after the war." —Dan Cotter. Author of The Chief Justices – The Seventeen Men of the Center Seat; Member of the Board of Trustees of Monmouth College, and 2024–25 President of the National Board of Bar Presidents.
"Unearthing the obscure life of an unsung hero, Wilson's newest book masterfully unravels how Komatsu emerges as a catalyst for unity and prosperity in post-WWII Japan. The Cherry Tree Weeps for Me provokes introspection of the age-old quandary of 'what next' after conflict termination. Perhaps Wilson employs Komatsu's character and actions to inspire Americans during this time of extreme political divisiveness and mistrust. Will we forsake revenge and retribution by uniting to fortify peace, democracy, and prosperity? If so, who will emerge as our Komatsu?" —Colonel Kay A. Smith. Colonel, USAF (Retired).
"James Mikel Wilson's book takes us on a wonderful deep dive into the incredible life of Takashi Komatsu and his dedication to peace and friendship between the US and Japan. I particularly enjoyed Wilson's exploration of Shofuso House, which I have had the privilege of experiencing firsthand. It is a living symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations, largely thanks to Komatsu's efforts. In the years following the San Francisco Peace Treaty, Komatsu played a pivotal role in fostering cultural exchange and understanding between the US and Japan, including his work with John D. Rockefeller III to bring Shofuso to life. This traditional Japanese house and garden, originally exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and now permanently displayed in Philadelphia, captivated American audiences and reignited interest in Japan's rich heritage." —Alan Wilkis. Artist (Big Data), Music Producer, and Composer for Film and TV.
"I applaud James Mikel Wilson for his insightful narrative of Takashi Komatsu. When conflicts end, like the current Russian-Ukrainian War finally, who will be the artists of peace to bring warring partners past the residual anger to cooperation and perhaps friendship? Komatsu was such a man, and his impact seems incomprehensible." —Dr. Stan S. Katz. Author of The Art of Diplomacy; and former San Diego World Affairs Council Board Member.
"I was absolutely blown away by the volume of Wilson's research on Japan's geopolitical history and the details of Takashi Komatsu's life—particularly how they intersected with important global events. Komatsu's influence on the early years of Japan's post-WWII recovery and renewed friendship with the US is still felt today, as evidenced by their strong strategic and economic alliances. Wilson's book illustrates that real life can be as captivating as fiction." —Jeff Rankin. Retired Editor and Historian, Monmouth College.
Wilson's new book helps readers understand how Takashi Komatsu was influenced by his mentors in the US and Japan. These influences played a major role in his ability to form alliances and work as a catalyst to building the Japanese economy and the strong economic ties between Japan and the US. —Gary Randazzo. Sr Lecturer, C.T. College of Business, University of Houston; Former EVP and General Manager, San Francisco Chronicle and Sr. VP Houston Chronicle.
*****
The 12-year-old son of a bankrupt merchant departs Japan in 1899 on an arduous journey to pursue the American dream. Against the odds, he overcomes discrimination and gains admittance to Monmouth College and then Harvard to become a student class leader. His commencement speech, The Dawn of Peace, launches him on his lifelong quest.
As director of a large shipping company, Komatsu resists the rise of militarism pushing Japan to war. And on the heels of Japan's surrender ending WWII, General MacArthur seeks his assistance to raise Japan up from the devastation to restore democracy and re-establish amity between the U.S. and Japan, bringing Komatsu to ally with U.S. presidents, American ambassadors, college presidents, philanthropists, governors, and Japanese prime ministers. And who would have imagined that just 19 years after that conflict, Komatsu's actions would lead to the 1964 Olympic Summer Games coming to Tokyo, the first in Asia?
Finally, what does it mean to Komatsu as a young Japanese woman escorts the Olympic flame from Athens across Asia over what was once a ravished land? And why does he receive the prestigious Blue Ribbon Medal of the Imperial Government?
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Ghosts of Presidents Past-A Reckoning was published published by Gatekeeper Press October 12, 2020. Ghosts is a political parody in the fashion of Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol and a work of historical fiction. Twenty-three past presidents visit President Daniel Hands, the incumbent, who resembles the real president. Each brings a warning, shares a relevant success, and expresses a regret. The ending is loaded with suprises. And, the reader may discover unusual moments in presidential history. Ghosts is Wilson's fourth book. For more details see the press release in the Blog section. On October 22, 2020, the same day as the last presidential election, Newsweek Magazine published an in depth article and interview with the author.
Wilson was honored to be one of the featured authors at the December 2019 Signatures John Cooper School Author Series. Signatures has been bringing notable authors to The Woodlands and greater Houston community for 15 years, beginning with First Lady Barbara Bush and others like Anthony Bourdain, John Grogan, Kevin Kwan, and Mari Semple.
At the National Churchill Museum's 50th Anniversary celebration on the Westminster College campus in 2019, Wilson was one of two featured American authors. He signed books with British author Andrew Roberts who, according to The New York Times, has written the best one-volume biography of Winston Churchill. Wilson was also a featured author at the 2018 Man for All Seasons Exhibition of Winston Churchill paintings at the Society of the Four Arts, Palm Beach, FL.
The author published his first book Paw Tracks Here and Abroad: A Dog’s Tale in late 2014. He was honored that the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Peoria Journal Star both published articles about the book.
Three years in the research and crafting, his second book Churchill and Roosevelt: The Big Sleepover at the White House was released in late 2015 and won an Author Academy Award. The Big Sleepover has been converted to a stage play by a well known London playwright.
In late 2018 he released Mr. Froggy's Dilemma, which for several months was Amazon Books #1 out of 29 Hot New Releases in its genre.
Wilson's appreciation for geography, nature, history, humor, and adventure are incorporated into his works which have received numerous 5 Star reviews on Amazon Books. He particularly enjoys writng about history and subscribes to William Shakespeare's quote "What is past is prologue!"
He maintains on this site blogs about Cuba, Alaska, the Revolutionary War, sculptor Lawrence Holofocener, Dueling Fry Pans, History Stands Beside You, and Ruminating Over A New Year's Diet Regimen. Watch for others.
The author frequently speaks to groups about The Big Sleepover At The White House's storyline and historical significance. He has presented to numerous organizations and colleges, including the Pearl Fincher MFA. Although he doesn't charge a fee, he invites donations to the Fallen Warriors Memorial, The National Churchill Museum, and the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Wilson has a BA from Monmouth College, a MBA from the University of Missouri, and post graduate credit in marketing from Kellog School of Management, Northwestern University. He is the Son of the American Revolution. Members of his family served the nation during the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Berlin Crises, Viet Nam, and the Gulf War. Wilson fought with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He worked for forty-two years as a sales and marketing executive for Caterpillar Inc. and related companies. His responsibilities covered North and South America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He now consults to the industry. In his spare time, he volunteers for Sleep in Heavenly Peace. SHP builds and donates bunk beds to children who don't have a bed to lay their heads.
Wilson was born in Davenport, Iowa. His love for writing was inherited from a journalist father who insisted that his city kid work every summer as a youth on his uncle's farm to appreciate rural America, the earth's bounty, and how our nation was fed.
Wilson resides in Houston, Texas. He has been happily married to his lovely wife and inspiration for over fifty years. He has a son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren living in Manhattan. Portions of his grandchildren's first names were merged to create Corabella Press, the name under which the Paw Tracks was published in 2014.