Product Description
Millions of Blackie Ryan fans will be thrilled with his return in this exciting novel of mystery and suspense. Bestselling novelist Andrew M. Greeley has captured the imagination of the mystery reading public with the improbable Bishop Blackie Ryan, who works for the aristocratic, haughty, sometimes arrogant but often slyly good humored Sean Cardinal Cronin, the Archbishop ofChicago.

The Vatican has just assigned auxiliary Bishop Gus Quill to the Archdiocese of Chicago over the violent protests ofArchbishop Sean Cronin, and the not so silent protests of Bishop Blackie. Bishop Quill is under the illusion, one might say delusion, that he has been sent from Rome to replace the good Cardinal when in fact Rome was dying to get rid of him because of his incompetence. Immediately on arriving in Chicago, he manages to disappear while riding the L Train and it is up to Blackie to find him. As the Cardinal says, "The Vatican does not like to lose bishops, even auxiliaries."

And thus begins the search for the missing bishop who no one really wants to find.

Of course, none of this is too much for the intrepid little Bishop Ryan. He faces these problems squarely and, with the kind of deductive mind reminiscent of G.K Chesterton's Father Brown, manages to find solutions to some of the most baffling mysteries he has ever encountered.
Amazon.com Review
The Bishop and the Missing L Train is the ninth entry in Andrew Greeley's deservedly popular Father Blackie Ryan series. Auxiliary Bishop Augustus Quill, recently posted to the Chicago Archdiocese, could not be described as a loved man.His nickname, bestowed upon him by fellow seminarians, is "Idiot." Despite his relatively high position, one that implies significant intelligence, wit, piety, and compassion, the man seems lacking in all departments save piety. In fact, so disliked is Quill that someone is willing to stop at nothing--at least nothing short of absconding with an entire subway car, bishop included--to keep him from his appointed rounds.

Sean Cardinal Cronin, the Archbishop of Chicago, is no more a fan of Quill's than anyone. Still, the act of losing a bishop (or, more precisely, not retrieving an absconded-with bishop) would not be smiled upon by Rome.Fortunately for Cronin (and fans of humorous, clever, well-written amateur-sleuth mysteries everywhere), Bishop Blackie Ryan is on his side.

"We cannot permit this, Blackwood!"

"Indeed."

"Auxiliary bishops do not slip into the fourth dimension, not in this archdiocese."

"Patently."

"Especially they do not disappear on L trains that also disappear, right?"

"Right!"

"You yourself have said that we will be the prime suspects, have you not?Don't we have powerful reasons for wanting to get rid of him?"

"Arguably," I sighed."However, as you well know, in the best traditions of the Sacred College we would have dispatched Idiot with poison."

Customer Reviews (13)

Just as good the fourtth time read!
I love the people who Greeley created to live in Bishop Blackie's world--the Megans, the Lioness and her teammates, Blackie's remarkable siblings, the Cardinal and his sibs--so much that I re-read these stories for the delight of re-experiencing them afresh.What baffles me is how Greeley is snagging my copies and changing them so I find a fresh delight in each readng.Must be magic!AY

Speaks truth disguised as fiction
I love Andrew Greeley's novels because he lets us laity know that someone else recognizes the broken way the institutional church behaves ~~ and yet somehow encourages us to keep trying and loving our damaged mother. Others have explained the plot well so I'll just add the special insight Greeley slips into this book at the end. Cliche would say "its not over until the fat lady sings". I think Greeley says that one's chances to be a decent human being ~~ no matter how damaged~~ isn't over until God gives up [which God never does].
I pray Fr Greeley recovers completely from his injuries.

Love and Annulment
On its face this narrative appears to be a mystery about the disappearance of a newly appointed auxiliary Bishop and the "L" train upon which he rides.The novel, however, is more about the Bishop than his disappearance. The book focuses on the lives and foibles of its characters and the joy of living.Since I enjoy people, I like this book.

The Bishop and the Missing "l" Train covers three general themes.The first topic is the human suffering that is caused by a pedantic and often almost inhuman annulment process in the Roman Catholic Church.The second is the love stories of developing romance between Tommy Flynn and Christy Logan, and Jenny Carlson and her and Ned.The third thesis is the overwhelming unconditional love of God for "Her" beautiful creatures (Greeley insists that God is female and I tend to agree).

The annulment question focuses primarily on the handling of appeals.Bishop "Idiot" Quill, when he served with the Sacred Roman Rota, an appeals panel that is the third level annulment court, reversed every annulment he adjudicated.This extremely conservative approach angered the tribunal above him (The Apostolic Signatura, which is like the Supreme Court of the Church), the priests who had helped couples process the annulments, and some ofthe married persons who were denied annulments.

The romantic love stories are also curative cases where the participants need to be healed to love.Tommy must overcome his fear of women.Beth needs to feel accepted by her new family.Jenny struggles with her sexuality.

God's unconditional and forgiving love is clearly displayed by both Bishop John Blackwood Ryan, call him "Blackie", and Mary Kate Ryan Murphy, a psychiatrist who isBlackie's sister.When handling sufferers in their respective ministries these wonderful characters willingly listen, care for the people, and share a healthy and loving view of God's kingdom.

I enjoyed the simple mystery of the missing "L" and the discoveries about the missing Bishop.I reveled in the marvelous characters and their psychological and spiritual growth.Most of all I celebrated God's expression of unrelenting love for Her children.

Very Entertaining
This was a very entertaing read; I recommend it to new and old fans alike. I had no clue as to the mastermind but all the clues were there.

Predictable
A predictable, if original Father Blackie book.Although this story strays from the traditional "locked room" types of cases that Blackie is famous for, it is very similar in that one knows that an "L" train cannot simply disappear.The secret of its disappearance and the perpetrator of the evil deed in kidnapping the disliked auxillary bishop were transparent from an early point.Not one of Greeley's better efforts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I've read many . . .
. . . if not most of Fr. Andrew Greeley's "Father Blackie Ryan" mysteries -- and I liked "Happy are the Clean of Heart" the best -- by far.

This series of mysteries was originally based on the Beatitudes.Each book featured a main character who exemplified the characteristics of that particular beatitude.The mysteries almost always involve a murder (or attempted murder), a rather obvious (and usually innocent) suspect -- and a host of characters with varying degrees of motive.

In addition, Fr. Greeley uses these books as theological teaching tools, also frequently linked with Beatitudes, expressing the many unique ways that God expresses His love.

Finally, for those fans of Fr. Greeley's "Time Between the Stars" characters, each of these mysteries "fleshes out" the character of one or more of the Ryan clan and their many friends, in this case, the singer/actress Lisa Malone and her husband George "the bean counter".

I recommend this book.

Theological mystery better for its meditations
In my view, the best part of this book are the meditations of Father Blackie, who is a likably honest character who seems to genuinely believe in the pursuit of religious faith. That makes him for most of us heroic at best, and authentic at worst, which is in itself compelling. Greeley layers theological contemplations onto this very basic story, creating most of his detail in character backfill and conversation, sparing us too much complexity of plot. Fundamentally a character study, the book highlights the decisions of its characters with some fairly advanced philosophical and religious concepts explained over a series of interactions. It does not feel manipulative, although to one opposed to these beliefs it might be repellent. It might be said that a mystery is going on in the background here, since it is a very simple one, with mostly false clues to keep us from seeing directly into the motivations of these relatively simple characters. That is not a problem since the focus of the book is explaining the learning undergone by Lisa Malone, its actress heroine, and her balancing of love of the spiritual with love of the flesh. I would recommend this for general readers with a flair for abstraction; for mystery readers, it may not offer enough of a challenge. ... Read more

Product Description
The bestselling priest & novelist Andrew M. Greeley continues the tales of the intrepid Bishop Blackie Ryan with this absorbing & suspenseful mystery, set in France, of a missing beloved television priest.

Not just an ordinary priest but a priest/television superstar, idolized by the people of France, loved by everyone except, of course the French hierarchy, the church, state and the Paris television community.

The Archbishop of Paris, familiar with Bishop Blackie Ryan's impressive sleuthing skills, asks Blackie's boss, the Archbishop of Chicago Sean Cardinal Cronin, for help in finding this missing priest. As usual, Cardinal Cronin resolves the matter with a brusque "See to it, Blackie."

In Paris, Blackie meets a young and beautiful woman begging for money at the door of the church of St-Germain-des-Prés. When he hires her as a translator, she turns out to be an excellent Dr. Watson and a brilliant musician as well. She is at his side as Blackie learns that neither the Church nor the police are eager to have the saintly priest returned, and once the public discovers the disappearance of their beloved priest, the miracles start-and nothing scares the Church more than miracles.

Undaunted, Blackie and his beautiful sidekick defy uncooperative Paris police, an unbending church, and reluctant witnesses to find the bizarre solution to one of the most fascinating puzzles he has ever encountered.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

food for thought
An earlier review called this book a sermon, and I agree. However, Greeley tells us his views of a benevolent and loving God in the context of fine stories. He doesn't shy away from the problems of the church, but its clear to me that he loves the Church and people.One theme I sense from Greeley is that 'people are often better than the institutions which are charged with their care'.
Watch in his books how he repeats over and over how much God loves each of us. Its great to keep getting that message.
And I hope he recovers from his injuries completely.

Unremarkable and Repetitive
This was the first Andrew Greeley book I've read and I was less than impressed.The plot was extremely repetitive.Except for Frere Jean-Claude, the characters were one dimentional and boring.The repetition of certain words and phrases made me nauseous half-way though the book.I never want to read "patently", "arguably", or "Father Blackie always solves his mysteries" again.The plot twist at the end was the only unpredictable part of the book, and that only because it was utterly implusable.There was suspense in the first few chapters, but that was killed by drawing out the story for page after page without gaining any ground in the plot.

Still, I'm glad I read this short novel.It's single saving feature is an inside look at the Roman Catholic church and its cultural distinctives. As a lifelong Baptist, I found it interesting to learn such things and can better understand my Catholic friends.I'm glad it was a short book or else the lack of other redeeming qualities would have ruined it completely.

Father Mary Sue?
I'm trying to give this work four stars, but it's not showing up for some reason.Anyway, that's my rating.

I suspect the Mary Sue factor is pretty great for Greeley in the witty, irreverent Blackie Ryan.(In fact, I've just about decided that at least half contemporary mystery writers are pulling Mary Sues, that is building their stories and series around idealized fantasy versions of themselves.)If this is true, then one can easily understand why Greeley is considered by many traditional Catholics to be the epitome of everything that's wrong with the contemporary Church.However, all of the things about Blackie Greeley they would find objectionable are what makes this book such a fun read.And it's a fine mystery as well.The twist ending caught me totally off guard, but looking back through te book I could see where everything was laid out for us (me and Blackie) to see.Only I missed most of it.Well done.

Parisian "locked crypt"
Andrew Greeley takes us to Paris.In the Beggar Girl of St. Germain Auxiliary Bishop John Blackwood Ryan travels to Paris, France to act as chaperone for Cardinal Sean Cronin and his widowedsister-in-law Nora.The Cardinal decided to give her the Paris trip for her birthday. While in Paris, the Cardinal asks Bishop "Blackie" to investigate the disappearance of a famous TV celebrity priest.The priest, Father Jean-Claude, vanished in an underground crypt with only one exit.The exit was guarded and the guards claim the priest never left the shrine.

The disappearance of the priest is rather complicated.The priest was a beloved preacher who had become very renowned for his televised sermons that talked of hope and love.Blackie must consider who might wish for this priest to vanish:the French government who fear popular clerics; the Church who is skeptical of his "holiness" and fame; the Dominicans (his order) many of whom feel envy of his success; the television station who sees him as an uncontrollable amateur; political royalists who may be upset that he is not leading a cultural political revival; the students at the university, many of whom distrust clergy; or himself as a way to avoid further emotional distress.

Blackie, in need of a translator, discovers a graduate student who is so poor she begs on the steps of a church, St-Germain des Pres, to survive.The girl, Marie-Bernadette, who speaks excellent English, is a talented cellist who is studying Celtic music with her boyfriend Jacques-Yves.

Blackie and Marie-Bernadette roam around Paris interviewing everyone they can find who might know anything about the priest.We meet some intriguing characters, from a fellow priest who is burdened with anger toward Father Jean-Claude and police officer who is patronizing to clerics, to the Mother Superior of a Convent who is inspired by Jean-Claude'sspirituality. However the most entertaining scenes involve Cardinal and Nora Cronin, and the innocent young lovers Marie-Bernadette and Jacques-Yves.As is his habit, Bishop Blackie influences the young people to recognize and solidify their love.

Andrew Greeley often includes bits of wisdom in his stories.In this book he first suggests that sometimes people delay helping others because they do not want to "play God".He ponders that maybe "if you can help people who need help, then you help them" and leave matters to them and to God. He later offers that women become "more attractive every day as hope deftly" slips into their life.Finally he says, "women should know that the things they would like to do with their men, but are afraid to, are those things that men like the most."Some vital tips from a celibate priest.

I recommend this fine book.The novel is full of human understanding,God's love and forgiveness.It is an enchanting mystery and a precious love story.

Great read
This is the first Father Blackie Ryan Mystery I've read. I've read most of Greeley's Nuala Anne stories and found them wonderful. This won't disappoint, it's an entertaining mystery well worth your time and money, especially if you like Paris. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I've read many, if not most . . .
. . . if not most of Fr. Andrew Greeley's "Father Blackie Ryan" mysteries -- and "Happy Are Those Who Thirst for Justice" is certainly one of the better ones.

This series of mysteries was originally based on the Beatitudes. Each book featured a main character who exemplified the characteristics of that particular beatitude. (And sometimes -- like in this book -- a character who seems to exemplify the exact OPPOSITE of the beatitude in question!) The mysteries almost always involve a murder (or attempted murder), a rather obvious (and usually innocent) suspect -- and a host of characters with varying degrees of motive.

In addition, Fr. Greeley uses these books as theological teaching tools, also frequently linked with Beatitudes, expressing the many unique ways that God expresses His love.

Finally, for those fans of Fr. Greeley's "Time Between the Stars" characters, each of these mysteries "fleshes out" the character of one or more of the Ryan clan and their many friends, in this case Fr. Blackie's sister, "Mary Kate the Shrink".

I recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1879.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

Product Description
One hundred years after the wife of tycoon Peter Paul Cardin is brutally murdered, Mrs. Peter Paul Cardin V realizes that she is destined to share the same fate unless Bishop Blackie Ryan is able to solve a mystery from the past. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

the ice princess
Yes, Andrew Greeley once again finds a way to make me look at my fellow creatures quite differently than my socialized prejudices.Who would think that a beautiful billionaire wife who works our daily with her personal trainer is actually oppressed by her mother-in-law and in need of Father Blackie's immediate attention to prevent her murder?I did not figure out the culprit until the end -- a sign of an able mystery!I read the book in two days, because I wanted to know who did it!Worth your time.:-)

Happy are the Opressed
I have never read anything that Father Greeley has written that was not excellent.

His reach exceedeth his grasp
Father Greeley's meager literary talents are strained past the breaking point in his attempt to recreate the voice of a nineteenth century Irish servant girl.Never would she have used the English language the way this author makes her write. Unfortunately, her hard-to-believe "letters" are a very large part of the book.However, I found the Chicago history bit fascinating, and the book as a whole is a good sentimental yarn with a (for me) hard-to-guess denouement and lots of tongue-in-cheek Irish blarney. And Auxiliary Bishop Blackie Ryan is a treasure!

Happyare the Oppressed
I Have just discovered Andrew Greeley and I am busy devouring everything I can get my hands on. I throughley enjoyed the book, I thought it was interesting and informative, it kept me on the edge of my seat.

HE'S WRITTEN BETTER!!!
Hated the history lesson.One whole chapter of letters irritated me to no end.I almost fell asleep on the treadmill.I did finish it, because I just can't buy a book and not read it.The final chapters are what made me rate it a 3.They were OK but uninspired and not very creative ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Poet of the Lost Cause is a superior study that delves deeply
I agree with the highly favorable reviews of this book in academic journals, such as the Journal of Southern History [Dec. 09], which states that the authors (Donald Robert Beagle and Bryan Albin Giemza) "delve deeper into Ryan's life, providing a more complete narrative and addressing...events and controversies not noted by previous biographers...the authors weave into the narrative a critical analysis of the artistry, rather than just the content, of Ryan's poetry." The review states that Poet of the Lost Cause catalogs Father Ryan's participation in the Civil War, and "convincingly establishes" the case that Ryan was at the battle of Lookout Mountain. The review concludes "This highly readable volume should be perused by anyone interested in the Civil War, the Lost Cause, the experiences of the Irish in the South, southern Catholicism, or southern literary history." Meanwhile, the Religious Studies Review [Dec. 09] states that this book "...is a welcome addition to the increasing interest in examining the nexus between religion and the Civil War...the authors provide students in history, literature, and religious studies a comprehensive account of a complex individual whose influence resonated with a host of later southern writers...this is a superior study that resurrects the leading architext and apologist of the Lost Cause." I would add that the book's thirty illustrations and numerous excerpts from Ryan's poetry add greatly to its impact. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fr. Ryan's Poems
I am looking for a poem by Fr.Ryan. I do not know the name. It is a poem about a man and a woman in love, but one becomes a priest and the other a nun. Years later, the priest finds her cemetery marker, and goes to a convent to inquire about it. In the poem, he says white roses die first. I have a book of his poems, but that one is not in it. Can someone help me? it is a beautiful love poem. (...) ... Read more

Product Description
Bishop Blackie Ryan is feeling more than a bit out of place on the USS Langley, an aircraft carrier on duty hundreds of miles from the nearest dry land. But the ship is in trouble--several of her crew have disappeared without explanation, and one dead officer has seemingly reappeared. The captain is a relative of Blackie's boss, Cardinal Cronin. So Blackie, troubleshooter and problem-solver, has been dispatched to the Langley, where he soon finds a mystery as deep--and dangerous--as the ocean.Amazon.com Review
Bishop Blackie Ryan--who spends more time troubleshooting andsolving crimes than he does on spiritual matters--is back in action ina paperback original that's sure to delight Father Andrew M. Greeley'sfaithful fans. Sent by his boss, Cardinal Cronin, to thenuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Langley ostensibly toperform a confirmation, Blackie finds that his detecting talents aremore in demand than his devotional ones. ("Those of you who haveseen the film Pulp Fiction will doubtless remember HarveyKeitel. He was a sweeper, a person designated by God and his bettersto sweep up the mess left by higher-ups in the outfit. That's what Iam, Sean Cronin's sweeper") Disappearing crew members and otherstrange occurrences have led to talk of the new ship being haunted, asituation that dedicated debunker of demons Bishop Ryan can't resist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Happy Grammy
I just love the Blackie Ryan series. The suspense & laughter are a good combination

Locked Room Mystery at Sea
Greeley's Bishop John Blackwood Ryan is famous for solving locked room mysteries.In Bishop at Sea the room is not only locked, it is guarded by two Marines and is on the USS Langley, an aircraft carrier at sea.Blackie solves the puzzle while the reader is treated to a very suspenseful time.
Blackie comes to the ship assigned by his boss the Cardinal to conduct the sacrament of Confirmation while solving the strange disappearance of crew members.The Cardinal's nephew, Captain Dave Cronin, is Commander of the Langley. His career may be ruined by the scandal on his ship.
Greeley's talent for description shines in this book.Although I have never been on a aircraft carrier, I now feel that I have.I can picture the cramped quarters and the maze of corridors that make one lost.I also hope to avoid landing on a carrier since it is"nothing more than a controlled crash".
Blackie's humor is delightful, for example: the sailor"saluted like he was a Swiss Guard and I the Pope (at least)"; and"Congress would choke on their gin martinis".The Bishop at Sea also periodically includes Greeley's wonderful view of Christianity as having a gracious and forgiving God who understands and loves humanity.
The Bishop at Sea is beautifully written story with charming characters, and anintriguing plot.I recommend it for a rainy day escape.

Locked Room at Sea
Greeley's Bishop Blackwood Ryan is famous for solving locked room mysteries.In Bishop at Sea the room is not only locked, it is guarded by two Marines and is on the USS Langley, an aircraft carrier at sea.Blackie solves the puzzle while the reader is treated to a very suspenseful time.
Blackie comes to the ship assigned by his boss the Cardinal to conduct the sacrament of Confirmation, while solving the strange disappearance of crew members.The Captain of the Langley is Dave Cronin, the Cardinal's nephew, whose career may be ruined by the scandal on his ship.
Greeley's talent for descriptionshines in this book.Although I have never been on a aircraft carrier, I now feel that I have.I can picture the cramped quarters, the maze of corridors that make one lost, and I hope to avoid landing on a carrier since it is"nothing more than a controlled crash". Blackie's humor is delightful, for example: the sailor"saluted like he was a Swiss Guard and I the Pope (at least)"; and"Congress would choke on their gin martinis".
Bishop at Sea is beautifully written story with charming characters, and anintriguing plot.I recommend it for a rainy day escape.

Irish Heaven
Fr. Greeley sure can write a mean dectective story.This one is loaded with his trademark Irish, Chicago, Notre Dame and Catholic references.It moves quickly and keeps you guessing for just long enough.It is like a sip of the Cardinal's whiskey....smooth and full of Irish flavour.

The Bishop at Sea
Andrew Greeley is back with Bishop Blackie Ryan and his adventures.
Part detective novel, part romance, and part Catholic religion, Bishop Blackie is always one step ahead of the reader, and usually a half-step behind the criminal mind. Truly delightful reads. ... Read more

Product Description
This concise, fully referenced guide establishes the impact of fathers on children's development in problem families and looks at the complex aspects of a father's role, including the legal status of different family situations. ... Read more

Product Description
A major relic - the remains of the Three Kings - is stolen from Cologne cathedral, and Bishop Blackie Ryan is called in to track down the thief. But each lead brings increased dangers and to publicize the theft could have dire political and religious consequences worldwide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

The Magi meet the Bishop
This novel is vintage Greeley.Andrew Greeley's novels tend to share six characteristics:Dialectic dialogue using techniques made famous by William Faulkner and Mark Twain, romantic love, statements about God's unconditional love, clear descriptions of locales, humorous statements that poke fun at such targets as the Irish and the Chicago police, and in Blackie stories a locked room crime.

The Bishop and the Three Kings introduces Cindasue McCloud who clearly speaks the dialect I remember being spoken by my friends from the Appalachian hills.Cindasue is a delightful character, especially if the reader can, as Greeley notes in a preface, enjoy the" rich cultural assets of our pluralistic republic."

Often in Blackie Ryan novels the mystery is secondary to the lives of the characters.
This book tells the romantic story of the courtship of Peter Murphy and Cindasue McCloud as they assist Bishop John Blackwood Ryan, nickname Blackie, solve the mystery of the disappearance of the three king's shrine at Koln cathedral.
Greeley's convictions shine's again as he aids Cindasue to accept herself and her love for Peter.Blackie not only plays cupid, he clearly communicates God's uncompromising, forgiving love for humans.

I enjoyed discovering the meaning and symbolism of the Magi story, the celebration of the growing love between Pete and Cindasue, and solving the puzzle of the disappearance of the shrine from a locked cathedral with an electronic security system.

Loved it, mostly!
This Blackie Ryan novel was truly entertaining, and is one of my favorites in the series.It's a good one to read around the Christmas holidays.I'll admit that Cinda-Sue's dialect can be a bit distracting, but I found her quite well-rounded as a character once he developed her a bit, and learned to live with her.Let's face it, we all have dialects, but few of us recognize it because most of those around us speak in the same way.I think Father Greeley uses dialects and slang as a means of helping his readers distinguish between characters.In his mysteries, there tends to be lots of characters with the same last names or similar chracteristics, so the dialects and slang are helpful identifiers for those of us who get a little befuddled about who is who after a few days away from the book.I just wish he would drop the "Like-Ohmigod!" valley girl talk he tends to give the virtuous Meaghans and any other teenage girl in his novels.I haven't spoken with a teenager who uses speech pattens like that since 1983.Keep cranking the Blackie Ryan novels out, Father Greeley!

Good grief, Padre!
I really tried to read this book.I've read most everything the Good Father has written, both fiction and non-fiction, but I just couldn't finish this.Cinda-Sue's dialect is distracting, incorrect, and extremely offensive.I have lived in the south most of my 62 years and I have never heard anyone begin a sentence with "happen", nor have I ever heard the word "bodacious" used.The "Hollywood" / "Beverly Hillbillies" / "Hee-Haw" representation of the south and Southerners are stereotypes that need to die.
Once you get past (if you can) Cinda-Sue the plot is convoluted, cumbersome, and boring.Don't waste your time with this book.

Blackie Visits Germany
This was an intriguing plot, and the various church leaders were interesting. Frankly,I am tired of Cinda Sue! I hope she is not in future books. Her "mountain girl" talk is too much for me.I have lived in the South and known many Southerners but they do not sound like her. I especially was interested in the exsoldier priest,who mourned the death of his wife. Blackie is delightful, as usual.

I *WANTED* to love this book!
I have a shelf full of well-loved and often read Andrew Greeley. The Bishop and the Three Kings will NOT be joining them!

The mystery plot line was intriguing and could have been delightful in typical Blackie Ryan style if it had not been derailed early on by the secondary storyline and the Appalachian dialect. I found both the courtship and "mountain talk" to be distracting, cumbersome, and worst of all, "too, too cute".If this introduces a new and ongoing character,let's hope she'll begin using "Standard" English in both her conversations and internal dialog.If so....we might actually care about her rather than hoping the romance doesn't flower so that we won't be subjected to her further! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (14)

Perfect Refresher Package!!!
Need to be uplifted as a father or just be reminded God is behind your fatherhood? This is a perfect lil' concise way of getting just that! Easy to read, Easy to understand, and Easy to apply!

"Snippet"
I ordered, received, and RETURNED this item.... If I had known it was a "snippet" of Wild At Heart (a book I already OWN!) I never would have purchased it...the price printed on the cover as the retail price was $2.99.... I paid $6.95 (when included with a couple of other books: I got free shipping....)

Disappointed and awaiting the refunded amount to show on my credit card...

You should just get the WHOLE J. Eldredge books -- the Wild At Heart is def. an AMAZING book and ALL fathers (and mothers, for that matter!!) should really enjoy the God-given wisdom and enjoyable stories and anecdotes in many of Mr. Eldredge's books!He is an incredibly gifted author and worth the cost of buying and reading the entire book...

Unless you are intending to give this 'booklet' to a new father to whet his appetite for the whole book, I suggest you save your money.

John Eldredge hit another homer!
Every time I read one of his books I consider it the best. He did it again with this one. A great gift for any man you know - even remotely, who is or wants to be a Dad.

Sergio
Simply a must-read! If you're a follower of Christ and a God-fearing person, then you need to read this book.

short but good
I skim read through the entire book in about 5 minutes. Good stuff. Just very short. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Baylor School, Harpeth Hall School, the Mccallie School, Father Ryan High School, Briarcrest Christian School, Christian Brothers High School (Memphis, Tennessee), Franklin Road Academy, St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School, Webb School of Knoxville, Pope John Paul Ii High School (Hendersonville, Tennessee), Montgomery Bell Academy, Girls Preparatory School, Saint Benedict at Auburndale, St. George's Independent Schools, Brentwood Academy, Webb School (Bell Buckle, Tennessee), Battle Ground Academy, Bishop Byrne High School (Memphis, Tennessee), St. Cecilia Academy (Nashville, Tennessee), Evangelical Christian School, First Assembly Christian School, Memphis Catholic High School, Immaculate Conception Cathedral High School (Memphis, Tennessee), David Lipscomb Campus School, Lausanne Collegiate School, Memphis University School, Westminster Academy, Pleasant View Christian School, University School of Nashville, Sacred Heart of Jesus High School (Jackson, Tennessee), Chattanooga Christian School, Presbyterian Day School, Nashville Christian School, Providence Christian Academy, J. Frank White Academy, Hutchison School, Pioneer Christian Academy, Bachman Academy, St. Andrew's-Sewanee School, Castle Heights Military Academy, Concord Academy, Davidson Academy, Berean Christian School (Knoxville, Tennessee), Harding Academy, Highland Academy, Washington College Academy, South Haven Christian School, Franklin Road Christian School, St. Andrew's School (Sevierville, Tennessee), Trinity Christian Academy (Jackson, Tennessee), Zion Christian Academy. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 201. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt:Baylor School is a co-educational private secondary school on the outskirts of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Founded in 1893, and at the same hillside site by the Tenn...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=1078769 ... Read more

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Order your own softcover black & white reprint of a previously owned high school yearbook. Whether you no longer have your own copy or want to surprise someone with a unique gift, the memories in this yearbook are sure to make someone smile! All the pages and images are reproduced as-is, which means your copy may show handwriting or effects of aging, and that certain pages, images, or other content may be omitted, missing, or obscured. Because this is a black & white print, any color images (excluding the cover) will print as gray. You can preview the color pages before you buy at www.classmates.com/yearbooks.Don't miss out! Bring home a piece of your history. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Journal of Southern History, published by Southern Historical Association on November 1, 2009. The length of the article is 667 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Poet of the Lost Cause: A Life of Father Ryan.(Book review)
Author: Jennifer Lynn Gross
Publication: Journal of Southern History (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 2009
Publisher: Southern Historical Association
Volume: 75Issue: 4Page: 1076(2)

Article Type: Book review

Distributed by Gale, a part of Cengage Learning ... Read more