An Italian general was fired for publishing a homophobic and racist book.

An Italian general who published a book espousing racist and homophobic opinions has been fired following widespread criticism, including from the defence minister, media reports said Friday.

General Roberto Vannacci, 54, a veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, has been fired as head of Italy’s Military Geographical Institute, a position he assumed in June, according to Italian media.

Military officials stated “The World Backwards” had been self-published earlier in August on Amazon.com without the knowledge of the army.

Among many ideas revealed in the book, Vannacci argues gays are not “normal” and rails against the “dictatorship of minorities,” taking aim at feminists, environmentalists, people of colour, and immigrants.

On Thursday, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto stated that “the personal ramblings of a general” had disgraced Italy’s military forces and that disciplinary processes would be initiated.

Crosetto is a co-founder of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party founded by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Vannacci defended himself on television channel Rete4, claiming he had not expected the backlash for a book that expressed “my thoughts, without offending anyone.”