Game Book Review

Phil Truman has written his first novel, and he has his head in the GAME. This is the second book that he has published. His first, a non-fiction book titled Writing Humor For More Than Laughs, has been followed up by a masterfully written tale of rural football in Oklahoma. The story envelops the tales of local men sitting around Arlene's diner discussing the miserable football season in Tsalagee, Oklahoma, the trials, tests, and triumphs of the war in Vietnam surrounding first year coach Donny Doyle and the lessons he brought back to his student athletes. In lowly Tsalagee, the football team has struggled year in and year out, never seeming to overcome the Hert City Trojans. It seems that the secrets to the success of the Trojans football team, are the "imports" that they add to the team every year. Coach Doyle decides to try his own hand in the "recruiting" game, but gets more than he bargained for. Troubled, young Leotis McKinley creates a buzz around Tsalagee, but is it really worth it? Each character is so richly portrayed by Truman that he makes you feel like you are on the sidelines and in the locker room with these kids. GAME goes way beyond the game of high school football. It explores the inner struggles of the coaches, the players, and the townspeople. GAME spins an energetic and provocative tale around the intensity and weightiness of small-town high school football in America. And yet, amid the fast-paced drive of the story, salted with the author's seasoning of home-baked humor, lies an account of the human spirit twisting through adversity and finding victory. Readers of any age or gender, once the final word is read, will feel the triumph and glory that comes from...GAME. Author Phil Truman grew up in Oklahoma where he played the sport, and observed and learned the subculture that is the great American game of football. After earning his B.S. degree from the University of Tulsa and attending graduate school at the University of Texas at Arlington, Truman taught high school English and coached football in Oklahoma and Texas, but left teaching after a few years to pursue a career in business. His published writing includes many articles, columns, and several short fiction pieces. Phil resides in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma with his wife, Darlene. The book may be purchased nationwide from any bookstore, or online through several web sites including amazon.com and walmart.com, or you may email orders@tatepublishing.com to order the book. For more information about GAME, visit www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore or www.philtrumanink.com. If you want or need for a side bar: Music Review: For the kids: Playya 1000 and the Deeksta, 20/20 Vision - These local artists have released their newest CD titled, 20/20 Vision. New cuts feature the street smart, uplifting tracks like "Special" and "Choppin' Game", the party minus the drama vibe of "Let's Go" and "Everybody Make It Home", the life changing power of "Driven" and "Refuse 2 Lose" or the fun-filled family feel good experience of "Sunday Afternoon" and "Just Ridin'". For the parents: James Taylor, One Man Band - JT does it again. This time with a live show of just James. He plays many of his standards alone with his guitar. The simplicity and stylings of his lyrics and musicianship sets him apart from many of the cast that came out of the 60's, 70's, and 80's. He puts a new twist on some older songs, but they really seem to do well. This is another project that shows why his longevity in the business Cool Site of the Month: http://www.nintendo8.com - Besides, our site HSSTM.com, of course, you have to check out this site. They have a number of the original Nintendo 8-bit games to play in your web browser, for free. There is nothing to download, nothing to buy! Beware though - this could cause a serious dip in productivity. Cool Kicks: Jordan XX3 - February 23rd marked the wide release date of the newest Jordan kicks that bear his jersey number, #23. They come with a wild design on the side panels and a great box, if for some reason you wanted to drop $230 on them and keep them in the box to collect them.