I Never Played Catch With My Father - Softcover

Cartwright, Gene

9780964975675: I Never Played Catch With My Father

Softcover

ISBN 10: 096497567X ISBN 13: 9780964975675

Publisher: Falcon Creek Publishing Company, 2010

From Pulitzer-Nominated author, Gene Cartwright, "I Never Played Catch With My Father."

This surprisingly "controversial" novel led to an Oprah invitation, and an unprecedented two-year coast-to-coast book tour, and numerous appearances on national and local talk shows, radio programs, including NPR where he shared guest status with luminaries such as Dr. Drew Pinsky and others, discussing parenting.

So, what is this remarkable story about? And why do so many confuse it for non-fiction?

A Texas-born, billionaire baby boomer's life-long love of baseball, and an emptiness he still feels, shapes his adulthood. James Phalen is a Wall Street icon; his advice sought by presidents, he speaks and the financial world listens.

However, James Phalen's enormous success fails to erase memories of a childhood missing a 'heart and soul' relationship with his now ailing father--a church elder in his north-central Texas birthplace. His billions can purchase many things but not the memory of things that never were.

What now?

Baseball is really a metaphor, in this story that reads like non-fiction. It is an object lesson for fathers and sons, mothers and daughter, for parents and children. We are reminded of what is truly important, and of time that passes all too quickly.

In an effort to finally close the "broken circle," James Phalen has to decide whether to continue immersing himself in his work, or catch "the last train home" while there is time.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

From the Publisher:

I Never Played Catch with My Father is an emotional, intimate story about life that passes all too quickly; about family, baseball, and moments gone forever.

Gene aims straight for the heart, revealing intimate truths about the relationship between a father and his sons, a mother and her daughter. We learn parents often overlook seemingly insignificant events in their children's lives. Years into adulthood, the emotional baggage remains. The truth is, there are no insignificant events in the life of a child.

James Phalen, one of the wealthiest men in America, is worth billions, but his billions cannot buy memories of moments that never were. In Jim's own words:

"I cannot recall a single playful moment spent with father. It is the one thing that defines my lasting disappointment and quantifies my poverty."

Suddenly, uncontrollable events consume him. Jim is being torn from the woman he loves; facing a tragedy he could never have imagined and on a fateful journey he cannot avoid. He must now decide what is most important-searching for answers to lingering questions-or maintaining the public persona his wealth and fame have inflicted upon him.

You too, will be compelled to remember your own childhood, and a time when this world seemed a kinder place.

About the Author:

Gene Cartwright, a native of Texas. He often says it was his great fortune to be born at the right address--his parents.

Gene shared these loving parents with seven siblings. He insists his love of writing and learning was sparked by his mother, who taught him to read when he was barely four. It was his father who, together with his mother, taught him, and all the Cartwright children what to do with the knowledge gained, and to love each other unconditionally.

Gene was fascinated, captured by the freedom reading afforded. What was more, he read and was inspired to put his own words to paper. He has always enjoyed both technical and literary pursuits. He wrote his first novel at 12. (90 pages longhand.)

Gene graduated high school and headed immediately to college (Prairie View A&M.) Four years later, and for almost 8 years thereafter, during what he now refers to as another life, Gene was an electrical engineer, designing lighting and power distribution systems. A few years later, he saddled up and headed west.

Throughout his engineering pursuits and business activities, Gene continued to write and dream of being a published and a fulltime author. In 1996, that dream was realized. Gene has written 8 novels and several screenplays. For two years, his book tour for 'I Never Played Catch With My Father,' took him from coast to coast:

He has appeared on numerous television and radio programs, including Oprah, NPR stations and countless tv morning shows, news and sports shows. He has been the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine articles.

Gene was the featured author in Ebony Magazine in the November '97 issue. Finally, Gene's greatest childhood thrill was his very first little league baseball game. And his pet peeve? Something he labels sacrilegious: the use of the aluminum baseball bats. _____________

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.