APRIL 2012 THE TOWER PAGE 21

BOOK REVIEWunBroKen By laura HillenBranD

SuBMiTTeD By eleanor BergMan

This book, written by the same author who wrote SEABISCUIT, is the true story of a forgotten hero, beautifully written, suspenseful and inspiring. It is the story of Louis Zamperini and his amazing survival in a POW Japanese prison camp in WWII and his subsequent redemption after the war.

As a boy growing up in California, Louis was an incorrigible delinquent. Although he never gave up being a prankster, he discovered a prodigious talent in running that carried him to the Berlin Olympics in 1936. As a student at the University of Southern California, Louis was looking forward to the 1940 Olympics, but they were cancelled by Hitler’s blitzkrieg across Europe. Just few credits short of a degree, Louis was drafted to become a bombardier in the Air Corps.

While on a rescue mission over the Pacific, his B-24 had engine problems, and despite heroic efforts of the crew, crashed into the ocean. Only Louis and two oth-ers survived the crash. After harrowing experiences on their raft during 33 days on open water fighting thirst, starvation, sharks, and the loss of one of the crew, the remaining two survivors found land only to be picked up by a Japanese boat. They had drifted 2,000 miles to an atoll in the Marshall Islands, where they were put into a POW camp.

The next 2-½ years for Louis and his fellow prison-ers were literally hell. The prisoners were given meager rations, fed rotten food, tortured, and forced into slave labor. The Japanese debased their prisoners, trying to take from them their dignity, which is as essential to human life as food and water. In August, 1945, atom bombs destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the war. However, it was not until a month later that the prisoners were able to leave the camp and make their way home.

Louis got home in October, 1945, to begin his post-war life. He became a national sensation making countless speeches and radio appearances, but he began to suffer bouts of anxiety.

As bad as the physical consequences of captivity were, the emotional injuries were more insidious and lasting. Louis was nearly 30, with no idea what to do for a living, but because of his celebrity, he was able to make a modest living. He married and tried running again, but his racing days were over because of a war injury. He started smoking and drinking and became afraid to sleep because of nightmares.

Billy Graham came to Los Angeles in September, 1949, and Louis was persuaded by his wife to attend the revival. He was reminded of his promise to God when on the raft: “If you will save me, I will serve you forever.” When Louis got back to his apartment he emptied all the liquor down the drain and threw his cigarettes in the trash. That night he slept without his dreaded nightmares. Louis began a new life as a Chris-tian speaker telling his story all over America. He and his wife were barely getting by, but they were happy. Louis had had an obsession to return to Japan to murder the captor who had brutalized him, but he realized dur-ing that night with Billy Graham that he had developed forgiveness and compassion for his enemy. For Louis, the war was now truly over.

In 1954, Louis opened the great project of his life, the Victory Boys Camp in the San Gabriel Mountains in California. It was a place for lost boys where they could swim, fish, camp, ride horses, and ski in winter. Louis told his story to rapt audiences from classrooms to stadiums and even on cruise ships. In Hollywood he supervised the senior center at his church. He received many honors and awards and carried the Olympic torch before five different games. He lived an active life past ninety, always infectiously cheerful.

“Unbroken” is an apt title for this inspiring book about a hero who endures unspeakable trials to be-come a dedicated Christian.

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PAGE 36 THE TOWER APRIL 2012

Rates for classified ads will be as follows: Rates for 2 to 3 lines of ad will be $8.00, or if you pay for one yr. the cost will be $50.00; and 4 to 5 lines will be $13.00, or if you pay for one yr. the cost will be $100.00; and 6 to 8 lines will be at $20.00 per ad. No ad over 8 lines will be accepted. We use only one page for the classified ads.

CLASSIFIED

RIDES to and from the airport. Gerald J. Dyer, 231 Las Palmas Blvd. 731-1696.(f13)

DO YOU NEED A RIDE to and from the airport, or to Doctors’ appointment or need to go shopping and can’t get out? Please call Norm Reilly 567-2292(f 13)

SEWING NEEDS? For alterations, waistbands, mend-ing and other sewing needs, call Cathy Quinlan 543-5995, Del Tura Resident.(j/j12)

WINDOWS cleaned inside/outside. Power wash-ing Small repairs jobs. Marty 731-2670, Dave 543-7370(mar13)

HANDY MAN, painting, plumbing, electrical, land-scaping, wood rot, ceiling fans. Del Tura Resident. John Belpulsi 239-543-5085 or 239-313-8029(mar13)

HOUSECLEANING: Have your home cleaned by a efficient and trustworthy Del Turian who is reasonable and use her own products. Call Judie 731-1373(d12)

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING Without Professional Prices! Interior/Exterior, 23 years experience, Power Washing, Home Maintenance and repairs! Del Tura resident. Call Jim or Suzi Smith 543-2046(ap12)

LOCKSMITH Auto/Home Lockouts, Locks Repaired, Installed or Re-keyed. Del Tura Resident. Louis Rivet 543-1434(o12)

HOUSECLEANINGSERVICE, reliable, honest, & friendly service. Del Tura resident. Call Karen @ 543-1434.(o12)

HANDYMANSERVICES Plumbing, Electric, Hot Water Heaters, Carpentry, Screening and General re-pairs. Del Tura resident. No job too small. Call Bob 656-3904(ap12)

VINYL & LAMINATE floors installed, sub floor repair, also painting and power washing. Lic. & Ins. Del Tura Res. Call Stan 731-9756(a/s12)

“PRESSURE WASHING”. Houses, driveways, walkways. Call Del Tura Resident. Denny at 543-8811(a/s12)HOUSECLEANING. Have your house cleaned by an honest and efficient Polish gal. Use my own prod-ucts or yours. Call Betsy at 715-479-5390.(may12)

HANDY MAN – Electrical - Plumbing - Wood rot, Carpentry, Screen repair, Ceiling Fans, etc. Del Tura Resident Chuck 731-0188,(d12)

GO FISH! Inshore fishing trips. $200 for 1/2 day, including license, bait and tackle. 4 people max. Lic & Ins. Captain Dave 217-0335(j/j12)

NEED A NOTARY? Call Brenda Blasie, a Del Tura resident, at 543-6104(ap12)

SIDEWALK NUMBER PAINTING: With bor-der-$20. or without border-$15. Call Katie at 851-1593 Will be painting, weather and time permiting.(ap12)

KITTY SITTER. Devoted animal lover - Cat owner for 25 years.. Will come to your home twice a day - Call 543-8486(ap12)RENTAL DEL TURA185 Las Palmas fully furnished w/golf cart. Call Vanessa 774-644-4434 (f13)

RENTAL: 2003 LAS PALMAS fully furnished, two bedroom, two baths, two car garage, golf cart available. Facing South Pool. Ideal Rental for teachers and other summer vacationers. Reasonable rates with all utilities included. Sorry no pets and no smoking. Call 543-4074 or (978) 337-4322(may12)

POSITIVELY PERFECT PAINTING: 20 yrs. exp. Del Tura resident. Complete caulk. Most houses (2 BD rm) $950. (plus paint) free estimates. Call Sean Sul-livan @ 731-3710. I do all my own work! ***SATIS-FACTION GUARANTED***(ap12)

WANTED-HOUSEMATE to share my large com-fortable home. Total privacy. Share expenses. Male or female, smoking,small pets OK. Call 567-0040(a12)

HOUSESITTINGSERVICE w/monthly walk thru & e-mail reports. $25 / mo. Painting, power washing, lawn service avail. Call Joe @ 239-671-8875(j/j12).

STAGING YOUR HOME!!! We do it all De-clutter-Decorate-Design. Call or E-mail for an appointment 239-599-4221 stagingyourhome@gmail.com(ap12)

HOMEFORRENT (2012-2013) 903 Via La Paz- 2B/2B Fully furnished w/Golf Cart. Reasonable rates in + off season. Min. 2 mo. No pets + no smoking. Call Wayne: (508) 728-5438(mar13)

FOR SALE TRUNDLE BED, like new. Paid $1160.00 Asking $350.00. Call 731-0076 (ap12)

THREEWHEELSCOOTER. New. Elite Go-Go Traveler, also lift - Not new. Call 731-3418 (ap12)