Roughly Speaking

As a teenager, Louise Randall Pierson loses her father, leaving the family financially strained. She resolves to shoot for the stars, goes to college, and learns typing and shorthand. On her first temporary job, she must overcome the prejudice of her male boss against women workers.

Louise marries Rodney Crane, who goes to work in banking. Their family grows quickly, with four children born in rapid succession. The household becomes a test of Louise's independence and resilience.

Louise nurses her brood through a bout of infantile paralysis, and one child is left somewhat lame. The illness tests their finances and stamina, but Louise remains steady for the sake of her children. The family endures this difficult period together.

About ten years into their marriage, Rodney tires of Louise's self-reliance and divorces her to marry a younger woman. Louise is left to raise the four children on her own and rebuild her life. The separation marks a turning point toward her future endeavors.

A year after the divorce, Louise meets Harold C. Pierson and marries him. They have a son together, starting a new chapter in her life. The blended family begins to lean on each other as they pursue new ambitions.

Louise inspires Harold to venture into his family's business and take a loan to build greenhouses for growing roses. They throw themselves into this risky entrepreneurial effort to achieve financial stability. The dream hinges on the market responding to demand for roses.

Just as they near clearing the last $30,000 of debt, oversupply sinks the market. They are forced to sell most of their possessions and travel the country, hit by a sudden reversal of fortune. The setback tests their resolve and makes them more determined to persevere.

They encounter Svend Olsen, an aircraft builder in need of financing, and decide to invest their time and money in the venture. Louise and Harold push to finance a new line of business despite prior failures. Their optimism is tested by the inherent risk of the industry.

The aircraft prototype is completed and shown to enthusiastic backers, but the stock market crashes the following day. The promise of the venture evaporates, leaving the family financially exposed. They are uprooted once more as circumstances force a move.

Two of their sons attend Yale, and a daughter marries, while the rest of the family sustains themselves through various jobs. They even work at the 1939 World’s Fair, selling vacuum cleaners or parking cars to make ends meet. The family adapts to changing times as the country slides toward war.

On Louise's birthday, Germany invades Poland, triggering World War II. All three sons enlist, with the youngest barely 17 obtaining his mother's reluctant consent to join the United States Army Reserve. Louise contemplates the possibility of losing them to war, yet remains determined.

Even as the war looms, Harold reassures Louise that their resilience is enough to endure. The couple starts discussing their next project: buying a farm, a final hopeful plan to build a stable future for their family. The conversation reflects their ongoing spirit of self-reliance.