Former Vindicator columnist Bertram de Souza releases first book

YOUNGSTOWN — To mark the one-year anniversary of The Vindicator's closing, one of its prominent voices is once again sharing his words.

Longtime Mahoning Valley journalist Bertram de Souza's first book, "No Holds Barred," a compilation of some of his columns and other writings, will be available for order from The Scribbler Publishing Group on Monday. The books can be autographed and personalized.

"No Holds Barred" features about 300 of de Souza's more than 1,600 columns penned over 36 of his 40 years with The Vindicator, as well as a variety of related Vindicator archive photographs and drawings.

The 368-page book was designed by former Vindicator art director Robert McFerren and is divided into 11 chapters on topics including James A. Traficant Jr., a comparison of the Obama and Trump presidencies, the Mafia, General Motors, Youngstown State University, politics and public corruption.

The Vindicator was a staple in the lives of residents in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys for more than 150 years. Regarding the role the paper's owners played, de Souza said in a news release, "Their staunch advocacy of a free, unfettered press was rooted in the belief that democracy demands honest, transparent, efficient and fair governance."

This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 2:45 PM with the headline "Former Vindicator columnist Bertram de Souza releases first book."