In order to do justice to the subject, I thought it would be important and interesting to submerge myself into that time period by reading periodicals and books actually reporting on the war (I even purchased a cd with old radio programs from WWII, which have been interesting in a propaganda-ish sort of way).
Thus, my weekends and weeknights have been spent reading periodicals and books from the 1940s. Perhaps through serendipity, my parents happened to have a TON of National Geographic magazines from the 1939-1944 period, so I have been working my way through them (the ones on the right have been read, the ones on the left will be):
Besides National Geographics, I've been buying magazines at some of the flea markets near my apartment. I bought a few Reader's Digests from the 1940s, which give a nice sampling of magazine articles, books, and all manner of reading material that was published during that time.
The red Reader's Digest on the bottom right has one of Eleanor Roosevelt's columns, "If You Ask Me," which I thought would have been pretty interesting. But, then I read the first question: "Does your husband notice a new dress or hat when you wear one, or is he like so many other men who never see a wife's new clothes?"
If you must know the answer, Eleanor responded: "I think my husband is too preoccupied, usually, to notice my clothes, but sometimes he will look up and say he likes something I have been wearing for two or three years!"
Another question: "Do you think women have as much sense of humor as men?"
I don't understand why anyone would ask the First Lady such questions. But, it does seem that my magazine reading is paying off, since I am able to see what a different time it was, and be able to incorporate that into my writing.
A final source that I have been working through is this box of 200+ letters, between a husband and wife, who had lived in Staten Island, New York, before the husband was drafted into the air force:
During World War II, there was concern that letters could fall into enemy hands, so letters from servicemen were censored. This is apparent, as the husband's letters include few details about his experience, where he was (he could say what country, but that's about it), or what he was doing (or how much danger he was in). But, his letters are really heartwarming, and you can feel how much he loved his wife and son and how much he missed them by reading his words. To give you an example, here are a couple excerpts that you can read:
It reads: Betty Darling a short letter to let you know I am well and thinking of you and Vic and to keep you from worrying too much about me. I hope this letter finds you both in the best of health and happy.
The end of the letter:
It reads:
Betty Dear I see you so many times in my dreams waiting at the door for me to come home for dinner or supper as you used to, or waiting in the sunlight on the porch to get that last goodbye wave in when I was leaving for work. Honey when those days return that will be heaven enough for me.
So Sweets with all the love and kisses to you and Vic I will say so long till my next letter.
Your Loving Husband Always,
Vic
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