As a child growing up in the 1970s, he was fascinated by the Technicolor war films of the decade before. Now in his adult life, Jonathan W. Jordan writes about the heroic men who served in those wars, including in one of his most recent books, “American Warlords: How Roosevelt’s High Command Led America to Victory.”

“It’s a story, at its heart, about how people with such great differences were willing to set aside those differences and bridge that gulf when the country really needed them,” Jordan said.

On Thursday, April 21, Jordan will be visiting the Queen City to talk about his most recent book during a luncheon at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. The session begins with lunch from noon until 12:30. The program immediately follows and concludes with book sales and autographs. Lunch costs $8 and reservations can be made by calling the library. His book is a continuation of previous works, “Brothers, Rivals, Victors: Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley and the partnership that drove the allied conquest in Europe,” and “Lone Star Navy: Texas, the fight for the Gulf of Mexico and the shaping of the American west.”

He said writing about individuals with conflicting backgrounds and personalities who put aside their differences for a common good is a reoccurring theme in his books.

Jordan grew up as a military child and moved a lot because of it. He was born in Savannah but lived in places including New Jersey, Ohio, the Philippines and spent a good portion of his childhood in Selma.

He said interest in military history is a combination of watching Technicolor films growing up, his father serving in the military and his school influences while growing up in Selma. Some of those influences include his French and literature teacher Grace Hobbs, who taught him how to write and love books, and history teacher Herb McCrary.

“[McCrary] was one of the best storytellers I’ve ever known,” Jordan said. “He taught me that history is not just a jumble of facts, but it’s a collection of stories.”

Library director Becky Nichols said the program is a wonderful time for fellowship and is excited to have a former Selmian return to town.

“He has written such a compelling book which should be an interest to everyone especially those who have served in the war or who have looked back on the war with any special memory,” she said. “[We’re] hoping everybody will support and come, meet him and wish him well.”

To make a reservation, call the library at (334) 874-1725.