Father Flanagan of Boys Town: A Man of Vision

By Hugh Reilly, Kevin Warneke

A biography of Father Edward Flanagan's birth in rural Ireland, the founding and growth of his world-famous Boys Town, and his global travels following World War II to advocate for youth.

This is the tale of Edward Flanagan, a young Irish lad shepherding a flock of sheep on a farm in Ballymoe, who became the famed Father Flanagan, founder of America's Boys Town, guardian of thousands of orphaned, neglected, and abandoned boys, and adviser to presidents.

From a large Irish family, Flanagan suffered through ill health and setbacks to pursue his desire to join the priesthood. Following his older brother and fellow priest to the plains of Nebraska, he served several parishes and opened a hotel for homeless men before finding his life's mission to care for and give a voice to young boys whom society had despaired of and cast aside. Father Flanagan opened his home in 1917 for boys of any race and creed. In this definitive biography, the authors recount his struggles with drought, fire, lack of funds, and skeptical citizens to create a safe haven for these boys.

Boys Town Press, 2008, 347p.