1. By MITCH ALBOM “People think of heaven as a paradise garden, a place where they can float on clouds and laze in rivers and mountains. But scenery without solace is meaningless."

2. MITCH ALBOM Born: 1958 in Passaic, NJ Journalist and sportswriter for the last 23 years, most with The Detroit Free Press Received a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Brandeis University in 1979 and a master’s degree in journalism and business from Columbia University in 1982.

3. Mitch Albom He worked briefly as a nightclub musician before beginning his career as a sports writer in 1985. He is a nationally syndicated columnist for the Detroit Free Press and a nationally syndicated radio host for ABC and WJR-AM of Detroit. He appears on ESPN-TV as a panelist and a commentator. His columns have won the Associated Press Sports Editors Award as best column in the U.S. 14 times in 15 years. He also received the Distinguished Writing Award from the American Society of Newspaper editors and is a 13 time 1st place winner in the Associated Press Writing Competition.

4. He has been published in GQ, The New York Times, and Sports Illustrated. Founded two charities in Detroit and serves on numerous charitable boards. Best seller books: Tuesdays with Morrie, Have a Little Faith and For One More Day. He and his wife Janine, live in Michigan. Mitch Albom

5. World War II: Philippine Islands Our main character, Eddie fought in the Philippine Islands during World War II. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the American air bases in the Philippine Islands. The United States entered WW2 on December 8 th and the Japanese invaded the Philippine Islands two weeks later. General Douglas MacArthur, who was appointed by President Roosevelt, was ordered to leave the Philippines in March 1942.

6. World War II: Philippine Islands On April 9 th, about 75, 000 troops on Bataan Peninsula surrendered to the Japanese. Many American and Filipino prisoners died from disease and malnutrition during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. In the fall of 1944, MacArthur combined forces with the USS Nimitz to liberate the Philippines. In February, MacArthur and the Allied forces returned to Bataan and the Japanese forces surrendered, freeing American and Filipino prisoners.

7. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After the war, Eddie suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.After the war, Eddie suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is also known as Battle Fatigue, Combat Fatigue, or Shell Shock.It is also known as Battle Fatigue, Combat Fatigue, or Shell Shock. It is a psychological illness in which people repeatedly remember, relive, or dream about a terrible experience.It is a psychological illness in which people repeatedly remember, relive, or dream about a terrible experience. Those suffering from PTSD often feel angry, fearful, helpless, or guilty and may become emotionally numb and isolate themselves from others.Those suffering from PTSD often feel angry, fearful, helpless, or guilty and may become emotionally numb and isolate themselves from others. Symptoms may last for many years.Symptoms may last for many years.