Love Stories of World War II [Paperback]

Larry King (Compiler)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 27, 2002

$14.00/History—WWII
(Canada: $21.00)


“The greatest generation’s most tender moments . . . Poignant . . . Disarming.” —People


A MONUMENT TO THE POWER OF LOVE IN THE MIDST OF A CHAOTIC WORLD

Moving and inspiring, these are the stories of men and women who met amid the chaos of the most devastating war in history and became the loves of each other’s lives. Master interviewer Larry King captures the special feeling of those times in the couples’ own words, telling tales that vary from sweet stories of love at first sight to heart-wrenching accounts of love surviving against all odds. As these couples reflect on the profound experience of the war, many speak of the deep bonds they forged during that tumultuous time, bonds so strong they lasted a lifetime.

A treasure trove of unique reminiscences, enhanced with plentiful photographs and reproductions of the letters that kept the lovers in touch no matter how many miles separated them, Love Stories of World War II offers an unprecedented view into the personal side of the World War II experience and celebrates the incredible legacy of remarkable relationships formed in a time of tragedy. As one veteran put it, “We’ve all got war stories. Some of us like to tell them, some don’t. But the story of how we fell in love with our wives, well, that’s still with us every day.”

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The authors narrate these true tales of wartime romance in just the right tone: gentle, tender, but never saccharine. Eikenberry conveys a sense of wonder and hope at the idea that even through the horrors and deprivations of war, love and hope can prevail. King reads a brief introduction to each story, marveling at the fate that brings two people together despite all odds. The stories run the gamut of wartime experiences: sweethearts who rushed to get married as the war started, stayed faithful through months or years of letters and were reunited at war's end; men who met their future wives in other states while both were working for the war effort; international romances of American soldiers and British or Italian women, sometimes against the wishes of the bride's family. Some of the stories end sadly, with widowed brides or a husband so traumatized by the horrors of war that he's not the same person. But most are uplifting and positive, celebrating the enduring nature of love. Simultaneous release with the Crown hardcover (Forecasts, Oct. 8, 2001).

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

In his latest book, King, CNN's most enduring host, does not cover politics or scandals and does not talk to celebrities or about himself. Instead, he focuses on romances that blossomed during World War II. What courage it took to commit to love in the face of separation and death. Fifty couples who met and, most often, married precipitously, often against great odds, during the war and then stayed married, share the stories of their first meeting and courtship as well as photographs of themselves then and now. In his introduction, King notes that just as many men as women were eager to talk about their wartime love. As one man said, "The war was a long time ago, one part of our lives. But we're still living the love stories." Simply, make that blandly, told, these are sweet and remarkable tales. Love at first sight is a common theme. Letters play a crucial role, as do near-misses and extraordinary good luck. Yankees attending basic training in the South become smitten with local gals; GIs fall in love with women overseas. Sometimes both he and she are in uniform; wounded men fall in love with nurses--the variations on the theme of true love are many, and all are irresistible. There is some sorrow, inevitably, but King keeps everything light and upbeat, creating a feel-good album of romance in a time of unprecedented bloodshed, testimony to the will to survive and the profound desire for communion and happiness under any circumstances. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (August 27, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609810030
• ISBN-13: 978-0609810033
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #452,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Different look at World War II, December 27, 2001

By 

noone42 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love Stories of World War II (Hardcover)

I am a huge fan of history. I love to read historical fiction, mainly, but every now and again, I will pick up something else. I was given "Love Stories of World War II" as a gift and I am by no means disappointed. In a time when the world was at war and death and dying was a harsh reality, some people were falling in love. Larry King has done an excellent job of putting this book together, keeping with facts and mementos of the couples in the book. Rather then sweeting it up, their stories are told with excerpts from letters and the histories behind the love. It is not mushy stuff, just simple stories of love in a time of war.

I am very pleased with this book and I would recommend it to any history fan. It reminds me of the love my grandparents share, having a similar story to some of those told in the book. And it leaves me with a strong sense of love and devotion.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, February 22, 2002

By 

Katrina H. Ksander (Richmond, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Love Stories of World War II (Hardcover)

I was given this book as a Valentine's Day gift by my boyfriend at the dawn of our relationship. He is an Army officer and I am in training to be one as well, and as such, we are often separated by our respective training. In this current time of war uncertainty and world instability, the stories in this book serve as a poingnent reminder of what we are living and fighting for every day.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Gift, March 2, 2002

By 

Betty Martin (Wilmington, DE United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love Stories of World War II (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my mother. My father is a world war II vet. She tells me it brought back many memories - some happy, some sad. Overall, she really enjoyed it. I would recommend it as a great gift for parents and grandparents who lived through it.