Slow to Speak - Paperback

by Gene Jennings (Author)

Les Crumpler has spent decades trying to forget the past-but the past isn't done with him. At 81 years old, Les is a widower, a retired history teacher, and a man haunted by what he didn't say. As a young ballplayer, he shared the field with Jackie Robinson, witnessing firsthand the racism and cruelty his teammate endured. But instead of standing up, Les stayed silent. Now, with more years behind him than ahead, he is forced to confront the weight of his choices. Slow to Speak is a powerful entry in the genre of historical fiction books about sports, seamlessly weaving together the thrill of the game with the deeper struggles of conscience, justice, and redemption. Through memories of the diamond and present-day conversations with his grandson, Les begins the difficult work of owning his past and finding his voice before it's too late. For readers drawn to baseball fiction novels, this book captures the rhythm of the sport and the camaraderie of the dugout, but its heart beats strongest off the field. More than just a baseball novel, it's a meditation on the impact of silence, the cost of inaction, and the moments that define us. As Les reflects on a lifetime of quiet regrets, looking back on life becomes both painful and necessary. His journey speaks to anyone who has ever wished for a second chance to do the right thing. At its core, Slow to Speak is a book about regret, but it is also a story of hope-a reminder that it's never too late to change. Perfect for those seeking thought-provoking fiction about life after loss, race, and redemption, this baseball novel offers an emotional, deeply human exploration of one man's reckoning with history-and himself. Would you have spoken up? Or, like Les, would you have stayed quiet?