Safe at Home

By Richard Doster

Book Overview

Hearts, minds, faith, and tradition will be tested, as will friendships and marriages, when a sleepy southern town comes to grips with itself amid the early years of the civil rights movement. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1434764400
• ISBN13: 9781434764409
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: David C Cook
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 4.2" x 1.1" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

A Gifted New Author

It's hard to believe this is Doster's first book. He has that rare ability to tell a story so well that it doesn't matter what its about. For example, instead of saying that a preacher is nervous and unsure of what to say, he writes: "...he ventured into the uncomfortable unknown, and had no idea of where he was leading. He cleared his throat, hesitated, looked down at the notes he didn't have..." WOW! There are countless other places throughout the book where Doster crafts the most enjoyable language to describe the events and characters. At one point I thought the only shortcoming of the book was that he had not fully developed the character of Percy Jackson, the black ballplayer. Then I realized that this was intentional as the story revolves around Percy, but is really about the other characters and how they react to an upheaval in the relationship between the races. The ending didn't let me down - no romanticized happily-ever-after or pandering tragedy. I'll buy the sequel the first day its out!

Terrific read

This is one of the best reads I've come across in years. Safe At Home appeals to both men and women, because it's about baseball, relationships among residents of a small town and a pivotal period in American history, the 1950s. The author is gifted and polished. I'm recommending the book to my friends and begging for a sequel.

This non-baseball fan loved it

Doster paints a compelling picture of small-town life, with memorable, fully realized characters and a plot that drives and builds to an untidy but satisfying conclusion. With a still-controversial issue at the center of its conflict - racisim - Doster eschews caricature or simplistic answers. His deep love for baseball was contagious for even this non-baseball fan, and the baseball games in particular proved gripping.

Safe at Home

Well written. Entertaining. Thought provoking. This book makes a great summer read. I am looking forward to the sequel.

Safe at Home is a home run!

Safe at Home As someone who grew up enjoying minor league baseball with my grandfather and in the era of de-segregation, this book vividly brought back fond and not-so-fond memories. Written with a fun style while causing us to think about serious subjects, this book is a must for all baby boomers, all who love baseball, and all who long for true racial reconciliation.