A recent Broderick review
A few reviews followed the publication of my biography of Bishop Bonaventure Broderick 18 months ago — then zilch.
But last month Canadian book-reviewer Steven McAvoy published a review that expresses what I hoped for in making known the obscure bishop’s life: From the Review by Steven R. McAvoy at Book Reviews and More
“This book had been on my radar for a while. But I was awaiting the release of the eBook before picking it up. I have a dual form of dyslexia and greatly prefer eBooks. I kept checking for the eBook and picked it up the day it released. Wow what an incredible story. I read this volume, and then started almost immediately and read it a second time.
“This is an incredible story. The story of a rising star within the church and episcopate. A man with great faith, learning, passion, skills in managing church personalities and political personalities. And then because of the pettiness of two men, his whole life and career were put on ice. And for decades he was a bishop without a seat. And A man set adrift from the church. And yet he kept his faith, did mass in private. And worked various jobs. Supported ministries and social programs. He was an apartment building owner. He owned a large property, which yes did have a gas and service station at the front. He wrote columns, gave lectures. But was ignored by the higher ups in the church for ages.
“And just as quickly as his favour was lost, so it was returned, this time by the voicing of the injustice by one man and the investigation and remediation of that wrong by another.
“I could hardly put this book down. And as mentioned I even read it a second time. The letter he wrote to Archbishop Francis Spellman, after his first visit nearly moved me to tears. And all because Donato Sbarretti, mentioned to Spellman the injustice on the night of his elevation to the chair himself. This book leaves you wanting more and Hanna has already answered that call, He has edited and released a second volume: The Wit and Wisdom of Bishop Bonaventure Broderick: His Millbrook Round Table Columns, which I eagerly await an eBook edition of.
“This was a deeply moving read. The events take place all over the globe. But it is the story of man from the states, who studied in Rome, was at the top of the field in archaeology. Became an auxiliary bishop, and then was set aside. But his faith remained and when the call came he was willing to step up and serve again. A story of faith, good friends, and fortunes won, lost and then finally re-established. A fascinating read as History and history of the Church. I can easily recommend it.”
NB: By the way here is what others have said about the follow-up book The Wit and Wisdom of Bishop Bonaventure Broderick: His Millbrook Round Table Columns:
"I really loved getting to know the mind of Bishop Broderick, in his cranky moods as well as his pleasant moods." - Christopher Bailey
"The Catholic Church of the United States owes a debt of gratitude to James Hanna, for introducing us to this churchman." - Fr. Edward Looney, of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin on LinkedIn
"I've very much enjoyed reading Bonaventure's wise and humorous thoughts, rendered with appealing brevity." - Ron Hansen, novelist, author of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Congratulations Jim!