Acre by George Johnson

In Acre, George Johnson takes readers back to a nostalgic time in America's history.

Remember When Baseball Really Was America's Past Time?

Acre Thomas Tulley proved to be a product of his time.  In the late forties and early fifties, back before laptops and computer games, he was outside more than indoors.  He spent hours on the railroad tracks hitting cinders with a stick.  Afternoons were meant for swinging at corn cobs or having cob battles between the barn loft and the cow pound with his friends. Acre, George Johnson's debut novel, is about a boy from the heartland of America, who grows up to become baseball legend. It is a story that takes readers back to a time when family was everything, contracts were sealed with a handshake, and a man was as good as his word. 

From swinging sticks at cinders, Acre grew up to hit baseballs with his bat. From the beginning, Acre Thomas Tulley set his goals high. He was still a teenager when he accomplished feats in major league baseball never achieved by any other player in the history of the game.

Keeping to his good family roots, Acre never forgot a promise he made early in his career.  But now, after achieving a legacy that will remain a benchmark for many years to come, will Acre Thomas Tulley walk away to keep that promise? Can he?

 

About the Author 

George Johnson is a retired elementary school teacher from Prince George's County, Maryland.  

He thought about Acre for two years before he finally put it in writing.Then, it took him three years, off and on, to complete it and put it in print. Being a late starter, the author completed his second book of fiction calledTimber. Acre and Timber are brother and sister. Timber took him two years to complete.

At the present time, he is compiling a collection of short stories he has composed over the years. George Johnson lives in Hagerstown, Maryland with Sharon, his wife of fifty-four years.

My Review:
This is an excellent look at the lives and times of early baseball players. The author did a fantastic job of describing the 50's. I also liked the family dynamics of the characters. Acre is a kid with a dream to play ball. Through death, disappointment and loss he never gives up on his dream. At times I felt bad for Acre, and at other times I was in the stands cheering him on. I was happy that the author placed an emphasis on education, and commitment. I also enjoyed reading about baseball. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review from Celestial book tours, however all opinions are my own.