Over Periscope Pond : $b Letters from two American girls in Paris October 1916-January 1918
"Over Periscope Pond" by Esther Sayles Root and Marjorie Crocker is a collection of letters written by two American girls in Paris during World War I, specifically from October 1916 to January 1918. Through their correspondence, Root and Crocker recount their experiences and adventures as they engage in relief work, providing insights into the lives of refugees and the impact of the war on daily life. Their narrative embodies the spirit of youthful determination and resilience amidst challenging times. At the start of the narrative, Esther Sayles Root writes to her father from aboard the ship Espagne, recounting her journey to Paris filled with excitement and trepidation. From the moment they set sail, her vivid descriptions capture the beauty of the voyage, her interactions with fellow passengers, and the underlying anxiety surrounding the threat of submarines. Upon arriving in Bordeaux and eventually reaching Paris, Esther is struck by the vibrancy of the city, detailing her initial disorientation as she navigates its streets and customs. Through her letters, she introduces readers to the warmth and challenges of life in wartime France, setting the stage for the touching stories of resilience and humanity that will unfold in the subsequent passages.