Autumn 1944: For the folks of Brownwood, Texas, the only thing more important than winning the war is football!

It's a man's game, until now...

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 its 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 men over eighteen and under forty-five are off fighting, including the Brownwood Lions' football coach, 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, Tylene remains resolute. And when her boys rally around her, she leads the team and the town to a Friday night and a time they will never forget.

Based on a true story, When The Men Were Gone is a powerful and vibrant novel of perseverance and personal courage.