J. Eugene "Gene" Salomon was born in Spain in 1928 and is thrilled to be publishing this book in time for his 95th birthday. Gene is a devoted family man, and has been married to Bea, his Brooklyn angel, for sixty-two years. Together, they are the proud parents of four, and grandparents of seven. Gene makes it a priority to stay in touch with all his relatives all over the world, especially his close family in Spain. Gene was among the best chess players in Spain and Cuba in the late 1940s and early 1950s. After many years away from chess, he earned the U.S Chess Federation rating as a Life Master at age 70. He also received a Silver Life Master Certificate from the American Contract Bridge League at age 93. Gene earned degrees in Sugar Technology and Agricultural Engineering at Havana University. He is known as one of the foremost experts in the world on the subject of edible molasses and has traveled extensively in his work. Gene's resumé includes significant contributions to the sugar industry, and he has been nominated for the Dyer Award, the "Sugar Man of the Year." He is still working as a consultant in new business development in the food industry. The publication date, July 18th, is a significant date for Gene: July 18, 1936 was the start of the Spanish Civil War, and July 18, 1960 was the date of the Castro speech that convinced Gene to leave Cuba. On July 18th, 2023, he leaves this book to his seven grandchildren as his legacy.
