From Here to Eternity is a novel by James Jones, published in 1951. It is set in the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and follows the lives of several characters stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. The novel focuses on the relationships between the characters, their struggles with the military system, and their attempts to find meaning in their lives.
The novel begins with Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt, a former boxer who has been transferred to Schofield Barracks. He refuses to box for his new unit, which leads to him being harassed and mistreated by his superiors. Prewitt meets and falls in love with a local prostitute, Lorene, and the two form a strong bond.
Meanwhile, First Sergeant Milton Warden is having an affair with the wife of his commanding officer, Captain Dana Holmes. Warden is a career soldier who is struggling to find meaning in his life and is looking for a way out of the military. He is also trying to protect Prewitt from the harassment of his superiors.
The novel follows the lives of the characters as they struggle to find meaning in their lives and cope with the impending war. Prewitt and Warden both find solace in their relationships with Lorene and Mrs. Holmes, respectively. The novel culminates in the attack on Pearl Harbor, which brings the characters' lives to a tragic end.
From Here to Eternity is a powerful and moving novel that explores the themes of love, loyalty, and the human cost of war. It is a timeless classic that has been adapted into a successful film and continues to be read and enjoyed by readers today.