BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2016: Authors with Daily News connections celebrate black heroes who shattered racial boundaries

A cadre of authors with Daily News connections — current staffers, former employees and longtime freelance contributors — are offering timely tomes for Black History Month, and some previously published works that are great reading year-round.

“Firefight: The Century-Long Battle to Integrate New York’s Bravest,” by Ginger Adams Otis

“Firefight” tells the story of the efforts by the Vulcan Society, a group of black firefighters, and their determination to make New York City’s Fire Department more inclusive and representative of the city. The book centers on FDNY Capt. Paul Washington, and includes the stories of many firefighters, including Wesley Williams, who joined the FDNY in 1919 when the department was 100% white and mostly Irish.

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“Firefight” includes an examination of the black firefighters group’s landmark $98 million racism lawsuit settlement won from the city. (St. Martin’s Press)

“Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-Day’s Black Heroes, at Home and at War,” by Linda Herveiux

Linda Herveiux outlines the courageous, valiant efforts of the all-black World War II battalion landed in Normandy on the D-Day mission. The author vividly describes how the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion stormed the beaches of France on June 6, 1944, and the blatant racism of America’s Jim Crow laws, which did not allow their important contributions to be acknowledged.

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She also credits President Obama for presenting the long-overlooked heroes with the Medal of Honor. (Harper)

“One Righteous Man: Samuel Battle and the Shattering of the Color Line in New York” by Arthur Browne

Pulitzer Prize-winner Arthur Browne deftly shows that the NYPD and African-Americans have a long, tense, fractured, simmering history. His book describes the long roots of the dysfunctional relationship while carefully revealing the impact made by Samuel Battle, the first black officer to join the NYPD in 1911. The history-making police officer had hired literary giant Langston Hughes to write his biography in 1949, according to Battle’s grandson, who shared information with Browne. (Beacon Press)

“Discovering Black America: From The Age of Exploration to The Twenty-First Century” by Linda Tarrant Reid

In her historical tome, Linda Tarrant-Reid traces the roots of African-Americans from slavery to the present, using information gleaned from six years of research. One important message Tarrant-Reid wants to convey in “Discovering Black America” is this: “I want young African-American students and people of color to understand that we were a part of the foundation of this country.” (Harry N. Abrams)

“Witnessing Brother Malcolm X, The Master Teacher,” by A. Peter Bailey

Veteran journalist A. Peter Bailey — a founding member of Malcolm X’s Organization of Afro-American Unity — wrote this self-published memoir to share the cultural and economic thrust of Malcolm X’s last year of life, describing the activist’s efforts to attract non-Muslims to the movement. (Lumina Press)

“The Diary of Malcolm X: El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, 1964” edited by Herb Boyd and llyasah Al-Shabazz

Boyd, who will teach a course, “The Life and Legacy of Malcolm X,” at City College this spring, said that despite enduring a year-and-a-half-long court battle with some of Malcolm X’s children to edit and publish Malcolm X’s diary, he is pleased that the late leader’s daughter, llyasah Al-Shabazz, said, “Let’s do it.” The diary fills out what he did not say in the autobiography (“The Autobiography of Malcolm X” as told to Alex Haley.), Boyd said. (Third World Press, Kindle Edition and hardcover)

“Seconds Out” by Jay Mwamba

Showcasing impeccable writing style that engages readers, immigrant Jay Mwamba weaves an intriguing tale in “Seconds Out.” Drawing from inside knowledge gleaned from his father’s experiences as a diplomat, Mwamba juxtaposes his political sensibilities with his love of boxing. “Seconds Out” tells the tale of boxing phenomenon Sonny and his brother Al, the sacrifices Sonny makes on his way to success. (Author House)

“Gowanus: A Love Story,” by Clem Richardson

Richardson’s book is a suspense thriller set in Brooklyn — a chance encounter between an unusual man and a woman that forever changes their lives. Surprising twists sprinkled throughout the book engage the reader on various levels. Richardson said sought to expand his writing skills in new avenues by creating the novel, which was edited by his wife, Claudette Leandro. (Kindle, $9.99)

“Rants and Retorts: How Bigots Got A Monopoly on Commenting About News Online” by Anita Samuels

Anita Samuels’ book was inspired by an online article she read about singer Alicia Keys, which resulted in a spate of comments — some of which the author-to-be felt were racist.

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Interviewing psychologists and other professionals, Samuels discovered that readers can suffer post-traumatic stress disorder from repeatedly reading negative comments. An insightful foreword written by rap legend Chuck D adds an extra dimension to the upcoming book.