ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 9, 1997 TAG: 9701100107
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH HATCH STAFF WRITER
Have you ever been interested in something and thought, "I should write a book about that?" Well, Louis Painter, a retired dentist from Salem, did just that. His book, "Israel is Real," about the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was published earlier this year.
Painter says the book is aimed at Bible Belt Protestants like himself who don't have a background in the history or politics of the Middle East.
Not one to shy away from controversy, Painter writes about the touchy subjects of politics and religion as he advocates maintaining a strong Israel.
He became fascinated with the country when he visited Israel for two weeks in 1986 as a volunteer at a children's dental clinic in Jerusalem. He has followed Middle Eastern politics ever since.
Painter decided to write the book in 1990.
"I guess I just had a lot of time on my hands," he said. "[Writing a book is] like going down a rope: You just have to keep going until you get to the bottom of it."
It took Painter almost three years to write the 284-page book. Finding a publisher willing to take a risk with an unknown author and serious subject matter took him another year.
"People don't realize what's involved in getting a book published," he said. "It's very difficult."
Painter says he is not planning to write another book anytime soon, although he keeps up to date on the Israeli peace talks.
These days, he is keeping busy with his other hobbies, including collecting arrowheads, hunting and fishing.
Painter would also like to do some more traveling. His previous trips include canoeing in the rainforests of Venezuela and learning to ski at age 65.
Copies of "Israel Is Real," can be ordered from Christopher Publishing House for $21.95, through bookstores.
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