By August
1943 the American novelist, John Steinbeck - by now a war
correspondent - found himself in North Africa and wrote to his new
wife Gwyndolyn:
“ It is
almost impossible to keep clean here. The water is cold and dribbles
and the soap doesn't seem to take hold. I think I'm getting dirtier
and dirtier but it isn't quite so noticeable since my complexion is
getting darker and darker every day...”
