"When the Men Were Gone" by Marjorie Herrera Lewis - Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles

About the Author: Marjorie Herrera Lewis

Marjorie Herrera Lewis is the author of "When the Men Were Gone," a historical novel based on the true story of Tylene Wilson, a woman who became a high school football coach during World War II. Here is a brief overview of Marjorie Herrera Lewis's background:

Background:

Marjorie Herrera Lewis is known for her work as an author and has gained recognition for her historical fiction.

Career:

"When the Men Were Gone" is Marjorie Herrera Lewis's debut novel, and it tells the inspiring and true story of Tylene Wilson's coaching experience during a time when men were away serving in the military.

Inspirations and Motivations:

Lewis was inspired to write the novel after learning about Tylene Wilson's remarkable story and her role as a female football coach during a period when women were not commonly found in such positions.

Writing Style:

Lewis's writing style in "When the Men Were Gone" reflects her ability to bring historical events to life through storytelling, capturing the challenges and triumphs of individuals during a crucial period in American history.

Legacy:

While Marjorie Herrera Lewis may be more recently recognized for her work as an author, her contribution to literature includes bringing to light the compelling and often overlooked stories of women who made significant contributions during historical moments.

Synopsis

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.

Historical Timeline

Tylene Wilson, the real-life inspiration behind "When the Men Were Gone" by Marjorie Herrera Lewis, was a pioneering figure in the world of high school football coaching during World War II. While specific details about her life may not be as extensively documented as those of more public figures, here is a brief overview of Tylene Wilson based on historical records and the novel:

Background:

Tylene Wilson was born in Texas, and little is known about her early life and background.

Football Coaching Career:

During World War II, when many men were serving in the military, Tylene Wilson stepped into the role of a high school football coach at Brownwood High School in Brownwood, Texas.

Coaching at Brownwood High School:

Tylene Wilson coached the Brownwood High School football team during the 1940s when the shortage of male coaches led to women taking on coaching roles in various sports.

Challenges and Achievements:

As depicted in "When the Men Were Gone," Tylene faced numerous challenges and skepticism from both within the community and the broader societal expectations of gender roles at the time.
Despite the obstacles, Tylene's coaching tenure was noteworthy, and her determination left a lasting impact on the players and the community.

Legacy:

Tylene Wilson's legacy lies in her pioneering efforts as a female football coach during a time when such roles were uncommon and often met with resistance.
Her story, as portrayed in Marjorie Herrera Lewis's novel, serves as a testament to resilience, breaking gender barriers, and pursuing one's passion despite societal expectations.

It's important to note that while Tylene Wilson's story is based on historical events, some aspects may be fictionalized or adapted for literary purposes in the novel. The historical documentation of individuals in less prominent roles, especially during specific time periods, can be limited. Tylene Wilson's impact on her community and the world of high school football coaching, however, remains a significant part of her legacy.

MLN Materials

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Friday Night Lights by H. G. Bissinger
Call Number: 796.332 Bissinger
Return once again to the enduring account of life in the Mojo lane, to the Permian Panthers of Odessa--the winningest high school football team in Texas history. Odessa is not known to be a town big on dreams, but the Panthers help keep the hopes and dreams of this small, dusty town going. Socially and racially divided, its fragile economy follows the treacherous boom-bust path of the oil business. In bad times, the unemployment rate barrels out of control; in good times, its murder rate skyrockets. But every Friday night from September to December, when the Permian High School Panthers play football, this West Texas town becomes a place where dreams can come true. With frankness and compassion, Bissinger chronicles one of the Panthers' dramatic seasons and shows how single-minded devotion to the team shapes the community and inspires--and sometimes shatters--the teenagers who wear the Panthers' uniforms.
The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong
Call Number: FICTION Armstrong
1918. Timid and shy Emmaline Balakin lives more in books than her own life. That is, until an envelope crosses her desk at the Dead Letter Office bearing a name from her past, and Emmaline decides to finally embark on an adventure of her own as a volunteer librarian on the frontlines in France. But when a romance blooms as she secretly participates in a book club for censored books, Emmaline will need to find more courage within herself than she ever thought possible in order to survive.
The Daughters of Erietown by Connie Schultz
Call Number: FICTION Schultz
1957, Clayton Valley, Ohio. Ellie has the best grades in her class. Her dream is to go to nursing school and marry Brick McGinty. A basketball star, Brick has the chance to escape his abusive father and become the first person in his blue-collar family to attend college. But when Ellie learns that she is pregnant, everything changes. Just as Brick and Ellie revise their plans and build a family, a knock on the front door threatens to destroy their lives. The evolution of women's lives spanning the second half of the twentieth century is at the center of this beautiful novel that richly portrays how much people know--and pretend not to know--about the secrets at the heart of a town, and a family.