The Play That Won (Edition1) - Softcover

Barbour, Ralph Henry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9371139218 ISBN 13: 9789371139212

Publisher: Double 9 Books LLP, 2025

Synopsis

The play that won explores the intense pressure of adolescent expectations in a competitive environment, where students balance athletic responsibilities with personal ethics. The narrative examines how loyalty and disappointment coexist, reflecting a deeper search for identity and fairness, especially when authority figures impose limitations shaped by institutional values. Decisions made under stress highlight the tension between ambition and principle, as characters confront unresolved dilemmas. The athletic setting reveals a struggle between the need to belong and the cost of victory. Internal challenges and public performance intersect, showing how judgment, envy, and trust unfold under scrutiny. In the face of personal setbacks and group demands, the tension between self-interest and collective responsibility becomes central. Through meaningful conflicts, the story portrays the complexity of youth navigating rules, consequences, and emotional growth. What appears to be a sports narrative ultimately portrays moral crossroads and the quiet growth that emerges from learning when to act, speak, and listen. Competition becomes a backdrop for deeper emotional truths and the delicate choices that shape character.

About this title

About the Author

Ralph Henry Barbour was an American author best known for writing sports fiction targeted at young male readers. Born on November 13, 1870, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he was the son of George W. Barbour and Frances A. Barbour. He developed a strong interest in storytelling early on and later became particularly known for capturing the ideals of youth, teamwork, and sportsmanship in his writing. Much of his work centered on school and college life, especially through stories that revolved around athletics such as football, baseball, and track. In addition to his solo efforts, Barbour collaborated with L. H. Bickford under the pseudonym Richard Stillman Powell, producing works that included light romantic adventures like Phyllis in Bohemia. While he focused largely on sports fiction, he also ventured into writing lighthearted romances and general adventure stories. His style often celebrated the virtues of character, friendship, and perseverance, traits that resonated deeply with his young audience. Barbour's writing left a lasting impression on early 20th-century juvenile literature. He passed away on February 19, 1944, at the age of 73, leaving behind a body of work that continued to influence the genre of youth-oriented sports fiction.

Edition details

• Publisher: Double 9 Books LLP
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9371139218
• ISBN 13: 9789371139212
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 116