James Carroll sketches the struggle with his father, Joseph, in this autobiographical work that he subtitles, "God, My Father and the War that Came Between Us." James opens his story at age twenty-six, the day after his ordination as Father James Carroll. The Roman Catholic priest is celebrating his first Mass and preaching his first sermon. James' ordination gives him the strength to overcome his own silence and cowardice. Joseph Carroll is a domineering, Irish-American, traditional Roman Catholic father of five sons. He is a lawyer, successful FBI agent, Air Force Lieutenant-General in charge of enemy counts and targets for the Vietnam War and feels guilty from the Irish curse of his own failed attempt at becoming a priest.
The first chapter theme and title draws on a scriptural quote from Ezekiel that refers to a valley.....
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