When the Men Were Gone
A Novel
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5.0 • 3 Ratings
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- $17.99
Publisher Description
"…Sublimely ties together the drama of high school football, gender politics, and the impact of war on a small town in Texas." – Sports Illustrated
A 2019 One of the Best Books So Far--Newsweek.com
A cross between Friday Night Lights and The Atomic City Girls, When The Men Were Gone is a debut historical novel based on the true story of Tylene Wilson, a woman in 1940's Texas who, in spite of extreme opposition, became a female football coach in order to keep her students from heading off to war.
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.
Customer Reviews
Marjorie Lewis When the Men were Gone
Marjorie Lewis’ When the Men were Gone is a thought provoking historical fiction. Lewis tells the true story about Tylene Wilson a teacher and assistant principal in Brownwood, Texas. There are various sources of the details of her life and these are the basis for Lewis’ skillfully written novel. Tylene was strong minded when she was young, and this trait continued when she grew older in years. Maybe it was because she dealt with health issues from a young age. Regardless, she had a clear sense of her identity: she learned and knew everything about football; she wanted to be a teacher; she wanted to get a masters degree; she asked the man who would be her husband to wait for marriage so she could complete her masters degree. Tylene had a strong sense of career and independence. As the plot progresses, it is clear she is able to put a pause on her frustration with men and women bent on thwarting her aim to allow Brownwood’s senior high boys to experience having a football coach and participate in their senior football team. Tylene is a model of commitment and dedication and grit. Tylene Wilson is a hero!