‘Summer at Tiffany’ by Marjorie Hart

With summer winding down, my thoughts turn to summers of the past and how those lazy, hazy days of my youth were carefree and fun.

Marjorie Hart recalls the summer that made a difference in her life with her memoir “Summer at Tiffany,” and it is truly a summer never to forget.

World War II finally seems to be ending, and for Marjorie and her best friend, Marty Garrett, the summer of 1945 holds a glimmering sense of expectation. These two Iowa sorority sisters head for the bright lights of New York City in hopes of finding a little adventure as they search for summer jobs.

After being turned down by some of the best department stores in the city, the girls bravely approach the legendary Tiffany & Co. to inquire about available positions. To their surprise, they are offered the chance of a lifetime — to become the first two women to be hired as pages at the magnificent, distinguished store. The following months would be filled with diamonds, celebrities, and even a bit of romance as Marjorie and Marty experience New York City during a rarefied moment in time.

In this charming and fascinating memoir, Hart relates her memories of those glorious days at Tiffany with such clarity that readers feel like they are right there with the girls as they try on their Bonwit-Teller Tiffany blue dress uniforms for the first time and set out to make a bit of history. Imagine the thrill the two experienced seeing Judy Garland and her new husband, Vincent Minnelli, come in to pick out honeymoon jewelry; when Marlene Dietrich stops by resplendent in her USO uniform; or when Mr. Tiffany himself drops in on a rainy afternoon.

Hart includes letters she wrote to the folks back home describing her experiences: the arrival of the Queen Mary back from Europe with its passenger load of soldiers and sailors returning from war; the devastating crash of a military plane into the Empire State Building; the dazzling nightlight and entertainment spots; and celebrating the end of the war on V-J Day in Times Square with millions of people. Hart also includes sketches of the beautiful store she was privileged to work in as well as personal photos from the time.

“Summer at Tiffany” is a unique look at a moment of American history during World War II that many might forget about, but that is equally important — the life and times of the folks back home and how they sacrificed and carried on while young men and women fought to keep the world free. Hart’s memoir can proudly take its place among the chronicles of The Greatest Generation with the gentle memories and important lessons that she and her friends learned that summer long ago.

Take a moment to remember the best summer of your life as you join Marjorie Hart in her remembrances of the season that would change her life.