Edward Sorin

“This work will surely stand as Sorin’s definitive biography.” —H-Net

“Tracing the astonishing career of this remarkable man has produced not only a definitive biography but a model of how good history should be written. [H]is well crafted, sympathetic narrative is a terrific read.... O’Connell’s magnificent biography, priced reasonably, is a treasure.” —Catholic Library World

“This is a great book, extremely well written, about a great man who made an enormous difference.” —Theological Studies

“The thirty chapters of this book are thoroughly researched and beautifully crafted with rhapsodic descriptions of the place, complex character development and a fine sense of pacing. It reads like a good novel.” —American Historical Review

“Anyone interested in the origins of the University of Notre Dame will cherish this excellent biography of Fr. Edward Sorin. Edward Sorin can be highly recommended. It deserves a place of honor in any well-stocked library.” —Cistercian Studies Quarterly

“Complemented by 40 pages of photos and very through index, this biography of Edward Sorin yields endless rewards and insights for dedicated readers.” —St Anthony Messenger

“O’Connell’s theme is the tug-of-war between two complex personalities, Sorin the obstinate aristocrat and Moreau the quarrelsome peasant. This approach is instructive because their competition serves as a paradigm for a larger issue in American history: the struggle of European institutions—in this case, a religious congregation—to adapt to the American environment. It is an old story, but one to which an important chapter has been added by this excellent biography.” —The Journal of American History

“O’Connell is one of the finest story-tellers of our day, with a craftsman’s handling of the language. This work is a fine tribute to Sorin, to the university which he founded, and to the many fine men and women associated with Holy Cross over the years.” —Catholic Historical Review

“This work is well written, blending historical facts with delightful stories and the humor of human foibles.”—Catholic Southwest

“With the precision of a calligrapher and the lyrical voice of a librettist, Notre Dame professor emeritus Marvin R. O’Connell has crafted a monumental biography... of Edward Sorin. O’Connell’s biography is a respectful and balanced account of a preeminent nineteenth-century Catholic churchman. The student of higher education will find much of interest here in the anecdotal accounts of Notre Dame’s development under Sorin’s leadership...."—History of Education Quarterly