Xlibris

During the fifteen months he was stationed there Joe and Marge exchanged over 500 letters. These letters reveal the great love and affection they had for each other despite the miles that separated them. They show their faith in God and country. And the letters are a time capsule of what America was like in 1943 and 1944. Find out about Nicklelodeon dances, the Lux Radio Theater, hit movies, shoe stamps, The Inner Sanctum, jitterbugging, Camp Grant, knitten for Britain, Hopalong Cassidy and all the hot spots in Rockford, Illinois.

Book Reviews

Phelps Creates Family Treasure

A box of letters stored away since 1945 resurfaced 60 years later in 2005. Letters written back and forth between James’s parents in 1943 and 1944. James made the decision to devote time to preserving this time in his parent’s history. As James began to delve further into the readings, he realized the beauty in the language and his parent’s relationship. He also learned much of the social history as revealed by his mother’s writing. His mother’s letters provide a snapshot of life in the early 1940’s.

For those with a penchant for history, for the stories behind the people, and for those appreciative of beautiful and telling letter writing, this may be the book for you.

Sarah Johnson Editor/Publisher of FYI NORTHWOODS Presque Isle, Wisconsin

Pick up this book for a fascinating journey to the America of yesterday, as seen through the eyes of real-life heroes who weren’t seeking special recognition. They just tried the best they could, meeting their responsibilities in everyday life, overseas and on the home front. By the time you finish this book, you’ll feel like they’re old friends.

Not only is this unique book a very interesting read, it is also a time capsule that contains some mementoes of an era that is long gone but part of our history. Some readers may still have grandparents who recall having lived during this era; for them it will be like a walk down memory lane. For others, who are too young to recall it personally, it is a glimpse into a time that is viewed through old photographs – almost surreal but at once real and honest.

Susan Johnson Copy Editor of The Rock River Times in Rockford, Illinois

Rockford man compiles parents’ WWII correspondence in a book.

Rockford’s James S. Phelps has written a book, “Letters from Bermuda,” compiling correspondence his newlywed parents exchanged during World War II. Family photographs accompany the accounts of wartime life in Bermuda and Rockford.

Phelps retired from teaching at Swan Hillman Elementary in 2005. The book is available at Amazon.com, BN.com and Xlibris.com, where you can preview excerpts from the book.

Go Section of the Rockford Register Star


READERS’ COMMENTS

After reading every letter, I, if no other reader, have come to know Joe and Marge quite well. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you right away how much I admire your entirely worthwhile effort in transcribing these expressions of your parent’s love and affection, faith and longing. Did you ever consider “Oceans of love” as a subtitle?

We’ve still not been by Crossways (Joe’s cottage in Bermuda) at a time when we weren’t rushing, but Joe’s many descriptions will be an inspiration next time the opportunity arises to take a couple of pictures and maybe knock on the door.

It was amusing to see the occasional “hand of authority” that Joe gently exerted from time to time.

Marge reminded me much of my godmother who read to me a little record she kept of spending a week with my mother near London. She catalogued in the same way every b us train, meal, cup of tea and especially any movie with brief notations about how good or bad it was.

It was also amusing to see a similar exchange of letters between Winston and Clemmie Churchill, often very short and sometimes two or three a day.

Will sign off now with the hope of hearing from you soon. Am particularly interested to know whether you’ve done anything more with the model ship kit you bought. Love and hugs.

Jo and George Cook, Bermuda

It has been a very long time since I’ve loved a book as much as Letters from Bermuda. Admittedly, I had an advantage. I knew Joe and Marge and all the Phelpses. Mary Alice was my best friend from first grade on.

Although I was only 14 at the time of Joe’s first letter, I knew the pain the Phelpses had felt the summer of Bud’s drowning. One month later came Joe’s orders for Bermuda. Hard as it was for your parents, it was devastating for Ethel, Johnny, Big Momma and Mary Alice.

What upbeat people your parents were. You captured completely how much they were sustained by their faith in God. I was touched by their patriotic observations of the validity of that war.

I followed the feats of the “Tommies” and Notre Dame. I renewed memories of beloved West-Enders whom I hadn’t thought of for decades – having moved from Rockford in 1951. Bless you for knowing what a tender recollection this would be.

Mary Kay Luby Akron, Ohio

I have been out of town but I did read your book last weekend and I really enjoyed it so much. I ordered some more copies. We are losing this “greatest generation” too fast.

I am so glad you got in touch with me and you put these letters together in this way. It is a tribute to all of them and a way that our generation can remember them.

Pat Riddiford (Daughter of Marg and Ed Tulley) Chicago, Illinois

Summers school ended so I finally had time to read the wonderful Letters from Bermuda. What a great book! What a fantastic tribute to your parents! I enjoyed it so much that I have read it twice so far.

I actually learned a lot about the war and how Rockford functioned during the war. From their letters I wish I had known your parents. Marge seems so funny and she seemed positive for Joe’s morale.

When my dad talked about the war, I would tune him out and think, “Here we go again.” Now I wish I could listen to him talk about his wartime stories.

Thanks for providing the great reading material.

Nancy Agnew Rockford, Illinois