On a Sunday in May 2008, an F-5 tornado struck the town of Parkersburg, Iowa, killing eight people and destroying 250 homes and businesses within 34 seconds.
The next day, Parkersburg's beloved football coach, Ed Thomas, made a stunning prediction: "God willing, we will play our first home game here on this field this season." One hundred days later, the home team scored a victory on the field they dubbed "The Sacred Acre," serving as a galvanizing point for the town to band together and rebuild.
But just as Parkersburg was recovering, another devastating tragedy struck. While working with a group of football and volleyball players early one morning, one of Ed's former students walked in and gunned him down point blank. Ed Thomas was 58.
The murder of this hometown hero spread across national news headlines. Ed's community and family reeled from shock.
Yet the story doesn't end here.
What happened next proves that even a double tragedy is no match for faith, love ... and the power of forgiveness.
My Thoughts: The Sacred Acre is an amazing story about an equally amazing man who managed to do great things when all odds were against him. He was able to because he never stopped believing. Ed Thomas is the kind of man you would want on your team. He was an incredible football coach but more importantly a great man in his community. He was loved and respected by all and was always able to look on the bright side.
I am not a football fan but still loved this book. Our community was recently hit by an F-5 tornado - its path was only 5 miles from my own home. I am seeing how long it takes to recover so I find it incredible that Thomas was able to get his football field and players ready for the new season.
If you want to be inspired (and don't mind shedding a few tears or more) this is the book for you.
To read an excerpt, click here.
I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy of The Sacred Acre available via NetGalley.
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