MY BOOK

Most men take their past stories to the grave. Emil Ziegler is a rare exception, when at age 90, his past is unearthed by pure fate. A free spirit, surfer and antique dealer named David discovers a few old photos at an estate sale. That discovery changes both men’s lives.  

 David meets Emil and slowly draws out Emil’s life of adventure prior to getting married in 1940. Emil’s mementos are kept in a locked wooden box under his bed.   His wife and children don’t know of his past life until he starts sharing it with David.  

Emil was blind in one eye at age 3.   A true early waterman, Emil always pushed himself to become better. His adventures started young: saving lives as a young lifeguard in the 1920’s, becoming a surfing forerunner, learning expert diving skills in Tahiti, and rowing a small boat from San Diego to Catalina Island. When he harpoons a whale that tows him for over a day, the adventure lands him in a small Mexican village, where he falls in love with a young lady. On their voyage back to San Diego, a horrific pacific storm like no other, changes his course of time.

This book and movie will take you back to his youth in the 1920’s–1930’s and to his present-day life in 2001. It is a journey of love and passion as seen through the eyes of both Emil and David.   Men will recount their own past stories and women will better understand their husbands, fathers, and loved ones.