Omaha: Monsignor Wm. T. Roach's Recollections of Father Flanagan & the Sporting District - Paperback

by Fletcher Reel (Author)

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.

The 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.

Stemming 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 protégé of the infamous Tom Dennison, one of the most powerful political bosses in American history and lord of the underworld.

In 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.

It is a story juxtaposed between the dangers of political power on one side, and a spiritual journey of miracles on the other.

In 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.

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"I grew up with these stories and many of the people who were mentioned in Omaha 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."
Steve Rosenblatt
Son of Mayor Johnny Rosenblatt
Former City Councilman & County Commissioner

"This tapestry of politics, history and humanity that Fletcher has created is an epic work of art. Like life, Omaha 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!"
Hal Daub
Former Mayor, Congressman & Nebraska Regent

"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!"
Michael Scott
TV News Anchor and Entertainment Tonight Correspondent

"Omaha 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, Omaha is also a spiritual journey in which we can all relate.
Father Lloyd Gnirk
President Emeritus, Roncalli Catholic High School