{"product_id":"omaha-monsignor-wm-t-roachs-recollections-of-father-flanagan-the-sporting-district-9798345748503","title":"Omaha: Monsignor Wm. T. Roach's Recollections of Father Flanagan \u0026 the Sporting District","description":"Most people today think of Omaha as a quiet little city on the plains, home of the College World Series and Warren Buffet, but few know that during the Jazz Age, Omaha had a cultural impact far greater than cities ten times its size. In fact, it was the Godfather of modern day Las Vegas. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe narrator of our story is the fictitious Monsignor Wm. T. Roach. His character is based on Billy Roach, an African American child, who was the first mayor of Boys Town. He narrates the story of he and his white brother, Nate, growing up on the streets of Omaha as orphans before World War I. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eStemming from an arrest, Billy becomes one of the first boys in the charge of Father Flanagan in his new home for boys, and Nate becomes the prot?g? of the infamous Tom Dennison, one of the most powerful political bosses in American history and lord of the underworld. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn parallel tracks, the boys experience the rise of the Dennison Machine and Father Flanagan's home for boys. They navigate an all-out political war; one of the worst pandemics in world history; racial hatred; and the most heinous lynching in American history. Along the way, they meet Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, Daniel Desdunes a leading figure in the advent of Jazz, Coach Knute Rockne and the \"Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse\", and fellow Omaha natives Henry Fonda, Montgomery Clift and Marlon Brando. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIt is a story juxtaposed between the dangers of political power on one side, and a spiritual journey of miracles on the other. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn their final act, the adult boys meet in Europe and experience the rise of Nazi Germany and work with OSS chief, Wild Bill Donovan, to fulfil their destiny and obligation to Father Flanagan. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e+++\u003cbr\u003e\"I grew up with these stories and many of the people who were mentioned in \u003ci\u003eOmaha\u003c\/i\u003e were close family friends. Fletcher has done a fantastic job of weaving fact and fiction to bring this amazing era of our city's history to life. I'm grateful this story has finally been told even with all its stark ugliness.\"\u003cbr\u003e Steve Rosenblatt\u003cbr\u003e Son of Mayor Johnny Rosenblatt\u003cbr\u003e Former City Councilman \u0026amp; County Commissioner \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"This tapestry of politics, history and humanity that Fletcher has created is an epic work of art. Like life, \u003ci\u003eOmaha\u003c\/i\u003e is both love and hate - triumph and sorrow. People are going to love this book, and it's going spawn a whole new movement to understand the complexities from which we have risen. Bravo!\"\u003cbr\u003e Hal Daub\u003cbr\u003e Former Mayor, Congressman \u0026amp; Nebraska Regent \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"A fantastic trip back in time to the early days of Omaha. Using fact and fiction, Fletcher introduces us to the fledgling city's sinners and saints, all through the eyes of two orphan boys from the streets. Their tale culminates as adults in an ending worthy of Hollywood!\"\u003cbr\u003e Michael Scott\u003cbr\u003e TV News Anchor and Entertainment Tonight Correspondent \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eOmaha\u003c\/i\u003e is a captivating account of a captivating time. You are there as Father Flanagan creates his first home for boys, and you are there as Omaha becomes a real city ruled by a powerful man of enormous contradiction. But surprisingly, \u003ci\u003eOmaha\u003c\/i\u003e is also a spiritual journey in which we can all relate.\u003cbr\u003e Father Lloyd Gnirk\u003cbr\u003e President Emeritus, Roncalli Catholic High School \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Independently Published","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50913909571858,"sku":"9798345748503","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_0100ac80-0413-4626-9f95-19c01aef0538.jpg?v=1738800528","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/omaha-monsignor-wm-t-roachs-recollections-of-father-flanagan-the-sporting-district-9798345748503","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}