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Father Flanagan of Boys Town
Taken from the Forward, by Monsignor Nicholas H. Wegner, Director of Boys Town.
© 1949
Now for the first time the whole story of Boys Town, the man who created and guided it, and the real stories of the boys it served, is warmly and faithfully told.
Thirty-two years ago, with a borrowed ninety dollars and five boys---there from the Juvenile Court and two from the streets----Father Flanagan founded his Boys Home in an old house in downtown Omaha. Today the home is located at Boys Town, a regular incorporated villages eleven miles from the city. it occupies nine hundred acres and, with the new buildings just completed, cares for one thousand boys ranging in age from six to eighteen.
Here you will find the stories of the boys who made Boys Town---the destitute starvelings who came without a friend in the world, the puzzled and distrustful youths who had never known a kind word or a soft bed. Here you will see the same boys emerge as responsible citizens, some with a trade, others ready for college or professional careers.
Father Flanagan died on May 15, 1948, in Germany, where, at the request of the Army, he was establishing an organization to rehabilitate war orphans, as he had done in Japan an din the Philippines at the request of General MacArthur. Boys Town is his monument, a tribute to a man who believed there were no bad boys, who believed any boy could be saved for himself and the community if given the proper understand, training, food, shelter, security, and love. This is no mere story of bricks and dollars; it is a story of a life and a devotion that is unparalleled. It is a story with humor and kindliness, pathos and grief, hopelessness and hope fulfilled---a story of human beings humanly told.
© 1949
Now for the first time the whole story of Boys Town, the man who created and guided it, and the real stories of the boys it served, is warmly and faithfully told.
Thirty-two years ago, with a borrowed ninety dollars and five boys---there from the Juvenile Court and two from the streets----Father Flanagan founded his Boys Home in an old house in downtown Omaha. Today the home is located at Boys Town, a regular incorporated villages eleven miles from the city. it occupies nine hundred acres and, with the new buildings just completed, cares for one thousand boys ranging in age from six to eighteen.
Here you will find the stories of the boys who made Boys Town---the destitute starvelings who came without a friend in the world, the puzzled and distrustful youths who had never known a kind word or a soft bed. Here you will see the same boys emerge as responsible citizens, some with a trade, others ready for college or professional careers.
Father Flanagan died on May 15, 1948, in Germany, where, at the request of the Army, he was establishing an organization to rehabilitate war orphans, as he had done in Japan an din the Philippines at the request of General MacArthur. Boys Town is his monument, a tribute to a man who believed there were no bad boys, who believed any boy could be saved for himself and the community if given the proper understand, training, food, shelter, security, and love. This is no mere story of bricks and dollars; it is a story of a life and a devotion that is unparalleled. It is a story with humor and kindliness, pathos and grief, hopelessness and hope fulfilled---a story of human beings humanly told.
302 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1949
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About the author
Fulton Oursler
124 books14 followersCharles Fulton Oursler was an American journalist, playwright, editor and writer. Writing as Anthony Abbot, he was a notable author of mysteries and detective fiction.
Aka Samri Frikell, Sandalwood the Magician.
Aka Samri Frikell, Sandalwood the Magician.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 23, 2021
"In his simplicity, Father Flanagan was harmless as a dove but in the service of his Master, he was also wise as a serpent. Over the years he won many a conflict with official and unofficial foes being as astute in tactics as he was gentle and forgiving in victory or defeat. No one who crossed swords with him ever went away without a deep respect for his qualities, and a full realization that he battled with consuming emotion for the Lord."
Reading this book on the late, Catholic priest Father Flanagan and his work among homeless and troubled American boys left me with the same warm feeling I got when I watched the film, "It's a Wonderful Life." Father Flanagan's efforts no doubt dramatically changed the lives of countless boys during his lifetime. He was an amazing man who gave all he had to love the unwanted, the neglected, and the condemned. A delightful read!
The book is full of the stories of the unwanted boys he rescued others sought to condemn. Here are two of them-
"One boy, up from a southern state, was barefoot as he stepped to the station platform.
"And what did you do with your shoes - dear?" (FF)
"Shoes?" The boy looked surprised. "I never got any shoes."
"At once Father Flanagan took the newcomer on a shopping tour. The shoes they finally selected were heavy and sturdy and the boy was vastly pleased with them; he said as much as the priest taught him how to lace them up. Not until they reached the street did the trouble start. The boy simply did not know how to walk with shoes on. He tried hopping as if he were mounted on some invisible pogo stick. In vain Father tried to show the lad how easy it was to put one foot in front of the other. All the boy can manage was the spasmodic motion of a jumping bean. The priest accepted the inevitable. Paying no further attention to the glances of passers-by, he led the way, with the boy bouncing up and down the whole way home." (169)
"Another story concerned Captain Melvin Dunn of the US Army Air force, who flew 30 missions over enemy territory in a B-17. A former Boys Towner, Dunn found himself a flyer entirely by accident. He had gone with a friend who was taking an examination to become an aviation cadet. While waiting for the friend, he was mistaken for a candidate, and presently was taking the examination. When the results were announced, the former Boys Towner found he had achieved the third-highest mark of those taking the tests. His aviation career was underway.
"A year later he was in England, flying with the Eighth Air Force. During months of combat service abroad he earned five Battlestars, the Air Medal with four oak-leaf clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, he came back to the states to continue his studies at Purdue University."
Reading this book on the late, Catholic priest Father Flanagan and his work among homeless and troubled American boys left me with the same warm feeling I got when I watched the film, "It's a Wonderful Life." Father Flanagan's efforts no doubt dramatically changed the lives of countless boys during his lifetime. He was an amazing man who gave all he had to love the unwanted, the neglected, and the condemned. A delightful read!
The book is full of the stories of the unwanted boys he rescued others sought to condemn. Here are two of them-
"One boy, up from a southern state, was barefoot as he stepped to the station platform.
"And what did you do with your shoes - dear?" (FF)
"Shoes?" The boy looked surprised. "I never got any shoes."
"At once Father Flanagan took the newcomer on a shopping tour. The shoes they finally selected were heavy and sturdy and the boy was vastly pleased with them; he said as much as the priest taught him how to lace them up. Not until they reached the street did the trouble start. The boy simply did not know how to walk with shoes on. He tried hopping as if he were mounted on some invisible pogo stick. In vain Father tried to show the lad how easy it was to put one foot in front of the other. All the boy can manage was the spasmodic motion of a jumping bean. The priest accepted the inevitable. Paying no further attention to the glances of passers-by, he led the way, with the boy bouncing up and down the whole way home." (169)
"Another story concerned Captain Melvin Dunn of the US Army Air force, who flew 30 missions over enemy territory in a B-17. A former Boys Towner, Dunn found himself a flyer entirely by accident. He had gone with a friend who was taking an examination to become an aviation cadet. While waiting for the friend, he was mistaken for a candidate, and presently was taking the examination. When the results were announced, the former Boys Towner found he had achieved the third-highest mark of those taking the tests. His aviation career was underway.
"A year later he was in England, flying with the Eighth Air Force. During months of combat service abroad he earned five Battlestars, the Air Medal with four oak-leaf clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, he came back to the states to continue his studies at Purdue University."
September 23, 2017
This is an excellent biography of Father Edward Flanagan, Founder of Boys Town. The book recounts a long life of service rendered to his fellow men. Most of his life was spent trying to rehabilitate and shelter boys of the ages 12 - 17, for which purpose he eventually built the giant reform school known as Boys Town.
The book is a real page turner, especially when reading about all the trouble Fr. Flanagan experienced on his way to becoming a priest. The stories of the boys with criminal records are also very fascinating. Flanagan had a strong insistence that there were no bad boys, only bad parents and environments. Unlike in the case of adults, I think that the book proves this true for children, since Flanagan was even able to help boys who had committed serious crimes.
The book is a real page turner, especially when reading about all the trouble Fr. Flanagan experienced on his way to becoming a priest. The stories of the boys with criminal records are also very fascinating. Flanagan had a strong insistence that there were no bad boys, only bad parents and environments. Unlike in the case of adults, I think that the book proves this true for children, since Flanagan was even able to help boys who had committed serious crimes.
December 15, 2025
A wonderful telling of the life of Father Flanagan and his call to create Boys Town. The writing is interesting with lots of accounts of the boys put into Father Flanagan’s care. How many lives were altered because of his love of children and his belief that there are no bad boys?
Though he lived in the early 1900’s, his story is as pronounced today - and no doubt he would face the same harsh backlash. And yet, our world could use another Father Flanagan.
Though he lived in the early 1900’s, his story is as pronounced today - and no doubt he would face the same harsh backlash. And yet, our world could use another Father Flanagan.
December 25, 2016
This is such an inspirational story, and although it tells the story of the boys back in the early fifties, some things don't change. Boys and Girls will always have problems, always need help and to have a person like Father Flanagan to look up to and emulate will make this world a better place. This is a heart touching story, not to miss.
September 30, 2017
Heartwarming story of true Christianity in action. Fr. Flanagan believed there was no such thing as a "bad" boy. There were only troubled boys who needed help and he did not give up on them, even when society and the courts did. This book tells the story of Boys Town from its beginnings and gives accounts of some of its inmates, their backgrounds and outcomes. Some of the outcomes will amaze and inspire you. It is also a detailed biography of Fr. Flanagan, a great humanitarian.
The case histories are fascinating. Most of the boys at Boys Town were law-abiding, but some had criminal records. A few were considered incorrigibles. Fr. Flanagan treated them all with love and kindness, which usually worked like magic. Baseball therapy worked well too. He wanted boys to join teams, not gangs.
A good read and absolutely non-fiction. The authors sourced Fr. Flanagan directly. Recommended to anyone who cares about children.
The case histories are fascinating. Most of the boys at Boys Town were law-abiding, but some had criminal records. A few were considered incorrigibles. Fr. Flanagan treated them all with love and kindness, which usually worked like magic. Baseball therapy worked well too. He wanted boys to join teams, not gangs.
A good read and absolutely non-fiction. The authors sourced Fr. Flanagan directly. Recommended to anyone who cares about children.
January 19, 2009
This is a really interesting true story of a man who had a dream to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged boys. He eventually created a self-sustaining city where these boys lived, worked, learned, and for the most part became good, honest young men. Really amazing!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews