When the Men Were Gone

A Novel

De: Marjorie Herrera Lewis

Narrado por: Eva Kaminsky

In Marjorie Herrera Lewis’s debut historical novel the inspiring true story of high school teacher Tylene Wilson—a woman who surprises everyone as she breaks with tradition to become the first high school football coach in Texas—comes to life.

""A wonderfully touching and beautiful story…Tylene makes me laugh, cry, and cheer for her in ways I have not done in a long time.”—Diane Les Bocquets, bestselling author of Breaking Wild

Football is the heartbeat of Brownwood, Texas. Every Friday night for as long as assistant principal Tylene Wilson can remember, the entire town has gathered in the stands, cheering their boys on. Each September brings with it the hope of a good season and a sense of unity and optimism.

Now, the war has changed everything. Most of the Brownwood men over 18 and under 45 are off fighting, and in a small town the possibilities are limited. Could this mean a season without football? But no one counted on Tylene, who learned the game at her daddy’s knee. She knows more about it than most men, so she does the unthinkable, convincing the school to let her take on the job of coach.

Faced with extreme opposition—by the press, the community, rival coaches, and referees and even the players themselves—Tylene remains resolute. And when her boys rally around her, she leads the team—and the town—to a Friday night and a subsequent season they will never forget.

Based on a true story, When the Men Were Gone is a powerful and vibrant novel of perseverance and personal courage.

Great story!

Loved it! This was well written and I really enjoyed the entire book! I hope to see more from the author!

Not a football fan, but it didn’t matter.

I’m not a fan of football but this book had me rooting for the team. Good characters, feeling, conflict and community. Really enjoyed it.

Great feel good tale

I really enjoyed this tale no only because it highlighted the predominance of High School football, but because it dealt with the home front occupancies during WWII. It was interesting to think back to thoughts and attitudes towards women in previous generations.

Excellent!

It made me laugh and cry. The main character was strong, courageous, and resilient.

Touchdown!

My memories of high school football games and all the emotions they invoke are great. And I love underdog stories, especially when it comes to women and World War II.  So when I heard of "When the Men Were Gone," I knew it was something I want to read (hear), and in fact I bought it right away, then I allowed it to sit in my audio queue.

I shouldn't have done that and I'd like to save you from making that mistake, too. Because sportswriter Majorie Herrera Lewis's new little book is a gem and a real touchdown. 

Based on a true story, the book drops you right into a bad situation for Tylene Wilson, a vice principal at the high school in Brownwood. Due to the war, the football team is in need of a coach and if she fails to find one Tylene knows her senior boys may be tempted to quit school and enlist.  While Tylene is as patriotic as any American, she knows that war is no place for a high school aged boy.

The fact is, football is something that Tylene has always shared with her father.  And not just the game itself, but the intricacies of it.  So it's a wonder that Tylene doesn't realize from the beginning that she could be the coach.  Of course, when her husband points that out to her, Tylene is the first to balk.  She's a woman!  She'd never be accepted as a coach on the field. And we all know what will happen if/when she dares step into those shoes.

What ensues is a great book, a great Texas football story, a great women/leadership story. So far this is the book this year I want to hand out to all my friends and say: read this. Also, Marjoie Herrera Lewis has such a deft touch with football she made me want to learn a little bit more about the intricacies of the game. (Ya'll please don't tell my husband that. Maybe I'll just memorize me some of Tylene's quotes and impress the socks off of him.) 

So don't do what I did.  Go ahead and buy the book and read it, right now.  And enter the giveaway so that you can spread the wealth. 

Thank you to the author and publisher for a copy of the book for an honest review. Yes, I read the copy between listening to my purchased copy because I needed to know what was going to happen more quickly than I could with a typical audible listen. Can't wait for this author's next book.