I Never Played Catch with My Father

By: Gene Cartwright

Narrated by: M. P. MacDougall

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

As seen on Oprah: This novel, based upon a true story, earned the author an invitation to Oprah.

When fame and fortune are not enough.

I Never Played Catch with My Father seems like real life.

A Texas-born billionaire's love of baseball provides him with cherished memories in a childhood otherwise without a close heart and soul connection with his strict father. He learns there is no amount of success and fame that can purchase memories of things that never were.

I Never Played Catch with My Father was the first novel of former Oprah guest Gene Cartwright. When first discovered, this novel sparked a rarity in the world of publishing: an auction for a first-time author. And not just an auction—an auction between five of the nation's largest publishers.

The title is more metaphorical than literal. Sure, a kid's love of baseball plays a large part in this story. But its about more than tossing a ball back in forth. It is about the importance of establishing a heart and soul connection within families; between mothers and daughters; father and sons, parents and their children, during our brief time here.

A Texas-born billionaire baby-boomer’s lifelong love of baseball shapes his adulthood. However, his enormous success fails to erase memories of a childhood missing a "heart and soul" connection with a now ailing father. In an effort to finally close the “broken circle”, he leaves his beloved New York and catches “the last train home”.

The world knows James T. Phalen as a Harvard-educated Wall Street icon, a onetime farm boy from rural Texas, and one of the wealthiest men in America. His advice is sought by presidents. What the world does not know is that James Theodore Phalen—the youngest of three Phalen children—is fighting personal demons.

James struggles to come to grips with stilted childhood memories he expected would have long ago faded into the foggy domain of lesser things. They had not. He finds himself at a place where fame and fortune are not enough, and he questions his whole being. Power, wealth, and fame fail to shield him. What now?

James Phalen discovers truths about himself, his family, and events past and present he could never have imagined. His view of the bucolic, god-fearing little town is turned upside down. His wealth cannot inoculate him. The outcome is "changed lives" and a lesson to us all.

©1995, 1996, 2010, 2015, 2022 Eugene G. Cartwright (P)2024 Eugene G. Cartwright

Love it, A must!

Always on the look out for this Author! It’s as if he writes you right into the story, the story is heart warming and you get invested from the first few minutes!

Riveting!

It was hard to put down once I started reading 📚 I am particularly fond of chapter 8 😉

Far Beyond Expectations. More Than a Novel.

Having read I Never Played Catch With My Father when it was released in hardcover, I thought I had already experienced this heart-touching and deeply insightful story. I thought I understood what made Oprah embrace this novel and invite the author to her show. Wrong. I had only scratched the surface. Listening to this audiobook version was like seeing it with eyes wide-open although mine were mostly shut—allowing the words to paint the scenes and shower my senses with the emotions this gifted author intended. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll not go further here.

Honestly, I placed myself in this masterfully written story and permitted myself to simply enjoy the ride, feel every turn, sense every bump in the road, and embrace every sensation. I found myself examining my own life, and making discoveries hidden for decades. I normally listen to audiobooks while multitasking, but this time I shut myself away from distractions, and at times with my favorite Chardonnay.

I'll stop here, or I think this will become a tome instead of a review. In closing, I came to know more about James Theodore Phalen—his life, his inner being, and his outward persona than my own husband. And we've been happily married for 40 years. Don't let him read this.

A Great Experience

Jim became a vital part of my 45-minute morning commute into the office.

The author’s attention to the details of what was in front of his main character in each moment accounted for is what drew me in.

I had moments of disbelief from what I was hearing. Then there were those moments of adoration as Jim dropped gem after gem after gem in narrating his life.

“All things are relative to individual circumstances.”

“I would rather be my brothers employer than my brothers keeper”

Struggling at 40! I listened to this audio at 41, am a married Black Woman, Wife & Mother. I’m at the far end of the stick from the journey of the main character but felt very connected to him.

“To escape confronting these realities, I have maintained a state of perpetual motion Not permitting myself more than a moment to pause and reflect until now.”
Yes! Jim was constantly dropping Gems wether he intended to or now. (wink wink)

Phalen eventually felt like a friend, especially while driving in the car for extended periods of time. This audio title bumped a couple of favored podcasts out of their ranks. I begin to want to listen to the wisdom of my good friend Phalen instead.

Great experience!