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). (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

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