Ian Buruma's maternal grandparents were born into the same world: children of German-Jewish émigré stockbrokers living in London. But at the demand of his parents, Ian's grandfather, the dutiful son, broke up with his fiancée by letter just before leaving for the Western Front during World War I, where he served as a stretcher bearer in the Battle on the Somme. It was the first great shock their romance would suffer, but their love would survive it. Bernard and Winifred Schlesinger were married for more than 60 years, but the heart of their story lies within the span of the two world wars.