Paul, Betty, And Pearl

The central theme of this novel is an adulterous love affair during World War II; it is about the maturation of the main characters. Paul is a young Army officer; Betty is the wife of a naval officer, Eric; they have a six-year old daughter, Rosalie. Paul and Betty witness the attack on Pearl Harbor. Betty then goes to Washington, D.C., to work as a civilian for the Navy, learning self-reliance. Eric goes into combat. Paul is stationed in D.C.; he and Betty continue their tortured love affair. Paul then takes part in the Normandy D-Day landing and the Battle of the Bulge, maturing as an officer. As the War ends, the Republican Party tries to bribe or coerce Paul into joining in its attempt to blame the Democrats for the surprise at Pearl Harbor. A mysterious colonel in the Pentagon sides with Paul. At the same time, Paul and Betty risk his career and her custody of the child (and the child's happiness) by revealing their love. T