Radio priest
Book Description
In the late 1920s, a Catholic parish priest began broadcasting simple biblical stories to children from his small Michigan church. What started as innocent religious programming would evolve into one of America's most controversial and influential radio shows, forever changing how spiritual authority could be wielded through mass media.
Donald Warren presents a meticulously researched examination of Father Charles Coughlin's transformation from humble clergyman to powerful political figure. Drawing on decades of investigation and previously restricted archives, this biography reveals how Coughlin built his Shrine of the Little Flower into a profitable empire while using radio waves to reach millions of listeners across the nation.
The story traces Coughlin's journey from delivering gentle children's sermons to broadcasting inflammatory political commentary that would eventually inspire extremist movements and violent actions. Warren explores how religious messaging became intertwined with political manipulation, showing how spiritual platforms can be corrupted when personal ambition overshadows genuine service.
For readers interested in understanding the intersection of faith, media, and political power, this work offers valuable insights into how charismatic religious figures can influence public opinion and social movements. The book serves as both historical documentation and cautionary tale, examining the responsibility that comes with spiritual leadership and the potential consequences when that trust is misused.
Warren's thorough research provides a foundation for understanding how populist religious movements develop and spread in American culture.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~10 hours)
📄 Length: 376 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Radio in politics
- ✓ Explore Catholic Church
- ✓ Explore Radio in religion
- ✓ Explore Clergy
- ✓ Explore Politics and government
- ✓ Explore Right-wing extremists
- ✓ Explore Coughlin, charles edward, 1891-1979
- ✓ Explore Biography
