A World Apart: As Told In Their Own Words

It is September 1937, and the Great Depression lingers on. Wars are breaking out on two continents. Two young people fall in love, promise to be faithful to each other, then are separated for two- and one-half years. Can they remain faithful? What are their lives like? How do they view local and world events? This story is told by Herb and Louise in their own words, through their hundreds of love letters to each other. 
            Who are these two young people? Herb is a sailor in the U.S. Navy, stationed in southern California, and Louise is a beautiful, musically talented young lady who is quite involved in her little community on a remote stretch of the central California coast. Just before Herb leaves on a long-term deployment to Asiatic-Pacific waters, they see each other almost non-stop for three days, and they become engaged to be married. They promise to each other to be faithful until Herb returns from his tour of duty in Asia's waters, whereupon they would marry. This story chronicles their journey of love and devotion, as they face many challenges in their lives, and discover traits about themselves they hadn't confronted before.
            How does the story begin? Herb is stationed in San Pedro, California, near Long Beach. Having grown up in upstate New York, Herb had been in the U.S. Navy for just over two years. His ship, the USS Tennessee, plied the west coast waters from southern California to Bremerton, in Washington state. When in their home port of San Pedro, on a few occasions Herb would hitch-hike up Highway 101 to visit his brother, who had already found a home for himself in a little village called Halcyon, an "intentional community" on the central coast. And this is also where Louise lives, having moved there with her mother and brother from Massachusetts, just eight years ago. Herb's brother has been eager to introduce them to each other. He succeeds. They fall in love and become engaged to be married.
            Will their love remain strong? Herb must depart Louise's company to fulfill his obligation with the U.S. Navy. He is deployed to China and the Philippines for two- and one-half years. Will they remain faithful? This unique and fascinating story is told in their own words, through their love letters to each other, from September 1937 through February 1940.