Gene Cartwright

I Never Played Catch with My Father Gene Cartwright

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.