God, Country, Notre Dame: The Autobiography of Theodore M. Hesburgh

by Theodore M. Hesburgh

God, Country, Notre Dame The Autobiography of Theodore M. Hesburgh

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Religion, Autobiography, Memoir, History, Catholic

360 pages, Hardcover

Published December 3, 1999

About the author

American Catholic priest and President of Notre Dame University in Indiana.
Born: May 25, 1917, Syracuse, NY
Died: February 26, 2015, Notre Dame, IN

Reviews

[Paul Pessolano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This an autobiography of Father Theodore Hesburgh. He was the president of Notre Dame University for 35 years and during that time changes were made that put it into the higher echelon of education, including going from a male school to a coeducational school.

Hesburgh, born in Chicago knew he wanted to be a Catholic priest since age 6. Little did he know what life had in store for him. One must keep in mind that Hesburgh was a liberal, well in my mind a Ultra Liberal. He admits that he wanted certain things in life but when it was within grasp it slipped from him, only to return later in life. He was a confidant oh President, Popes, and any number of high ranking officials. He championed movements such as civil rights, academic freedom (a chapter you may want to skip), nuclear disarmament, and many others. He was a true man of the world in a clerics clothes.

An excellent read, whether you are Catholic, Protestant, an Atheist or an Agnostic.

[Jack T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

a masterpiece. Ted was master of networking and modern political influence. a visionary. underrappreciated even in his own circles. a most Holy man.

[Kris Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I'm now faculty at Notre Dame, I was gifted this book and invited to a book club. Father Ted, as he was known, was a fascinating individual. He became president of Notre Dame at the age of 35, transforming the school from an above-average Midwestern Catholic institution to a premier university. He doubled the student enrollment and tripled the number of faculty in his 35-year tenure as president. His proudest achievement was admitting women to Notre Dame in 1972, alienating many of the old guard alumni but certainly moving the institution into alignment with modern society. He also gave counsel to 3 (or maybe 4) US Presidents, even dedicating himself for 15 years on a 6-member Civil Rights Commission in which 70% of their recommendations became federal law (all of which makes me wonder why I'm accomplishing so little with my life). An optimist at heart, Father Ted's story rests on his dedication to his spiritual beliefs, to social activism and to human rights.

[Nick W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr. Ted's life reads like the movie Forrest Gump. There's no way one person could be directly involved with so many important people and events. But it is true. The fact that he was able to turn a back-water football school into one of the finest universities the US without compromising the Catholic identity is a tremendous achievement. But it is just one amongst many when you look at the world events he participated in. The sheer scope of this man's life is absolutely incredible. The fact that he said mass everyday of his life is one of the main things that stuck out to me. He saw it as a gift to be used and never to be taken for granted. As an airplane guy, I loved the part about the SR-71. Still my favorite random moment. Note to self, get a US president in your debt and ask for something ridiculously awesome...

A must-read for any Notre Dame alumni/student/friends.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely fascinating book. Father Ted is not only an inspirational man, he is an American Hero. Throughout the course of his career, Father Hesburgh has been involved in every turning point in recent American History. Religion aside, his work can be part of any Recent U.S. History Class at any college/university.

His dedication to improving the world is paramount in this book. He cared, genuinely, about bettering this world. Through his work, he was able to be instrumental in making and impacting decisions that have changed the course of history.

Whether you are Catholic, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, Mormon or not even Christian - this is worth the read!

[Brian S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I consistently find that hearing about the things that make a person the kind of person about whom you would read a memoir are the dullest part of the memoir. Fr. Ted was involved in lots of important matters like the Civil Rights Commission and the Atomic Energy Commission, representing presidential administrations and the Vatican all over the world, man he was involved in everything, but the most interesting parts of his memoir are about when he was a child and a young priest. The book was not as much about the University as I expected either.

[Christina Brandsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not expect to enjoy the book as much as I did. Reading about Hesburgh's fascinating life was inspiring, challenging, and engaging. His stories ranged from random and interesting to applicable and refining in my own leadership. Hesburgh lived with great consistency, humility, and faithfulness. While the book is not set up as a 'how-to' book on leadership, it is a great resource to grow as a leader, and more specifically as a servant leader with rightly aligned daily patterns.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Hesburgh is pretty awesome and has done everything awesome (or at least a lot of things) but this book might not appeal to you if you aren't already ND obsessed. But maybe you will. Many of the things aren't really ND-related. It was just super cool to think about all these things done my the man in the library.

[Matt Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this gem up at a yard sale with the intent to gift it to a friend. He is in campus ministry at Notre Dame. I thought he would enjoy this book. I picked it up one day and read the first few paragraphs. The next thing I knew I was finishing the book. It is a very well written easy read with a lot of information that I never knew I needed to know.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read select parts of this one before I met with Fr. Ted. Fr. Ted is an amazing man. I was so impressed reading this and then meeting with him to talk about the lakes. I could have listened to him tell me stories about his life for hours.

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiography of a "super priest" is an amazing story. Father Hesburgh touched so many lives and played a major role in so many history-making events --- that the reader cannot come away from this book without thinking "He is one of those who truly made a difference".

[Beth Neu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Fr. Hesburgh for what you contributed to make Notre Dame a fine institution of higher learning. What I really enjoyed about this book was learning about Fr. Hesburgh's early years... what it was like growing up and what inspired him to consider becoming a Catholic Priest.

[Robert Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books showed me that age is only in our minds when it comes to getting things done. We can accomplish so much in life so long as we have a "vision" and work hard to succeed!

[Scott Nestler · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's about Father Ted. How could anyone not love it? A fascinating personality.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Hesburgh was a truly remarkable man. He led an almost unbelievably accomplished life and at times this book was almost too amazing to be true. Notre Dame was so fortunate to have him.

[Bill Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is the Forrest Gump of the Catholic priesthood. I thought this would be about Notre Dame University, and certainly some of it was, but Father Hesburgh was so much more. Commitment to Catholicism is foreign to me, but the importance to Hesburgh is the core to his existence. Although brilliant, he doesn't hesitate to become an ordained priest in addition to a PhD in philosophy. In a few years he scales the administrative ladder at the University of Notre Dame and spends 40+ years as its president. Although football and athletics are important, they are only one of many areas of excellence he promotes at the university. It is not an overstatement to say he made Notre Dame into the world class university it is today. The list of world leaders he worked with is a "Who's who" of influential people of the second half of the twentieth century. He was in the middle of the American Civil Rights movement with Martin Luther King and President Johnson. He defused some of the college protests over the Vietnam war. He was on the Atomic Energy Commission and played a role in calming relations between the US and the USSR. And he was a "good guy". He liked to fish, and drink whiskey, and eat good food. He went on vacation with life long friends hunting and sport fishing. He treated people with respect and made them feel important. He could be anyone's hero. He had character and integrity.
As I read his story I was reminded of a friend of my mothers she got to know when she was in the Navy. His name was Father Webster. While I was growing up on the farm in Hollister out of the blue father Webster would show up for a few days. He'd be visiting his friends from a time before. He turned my idea of a priest on its head. He flew airplanes, went scuba diving and had tales of places he had been that were exotic and unknown. A unique totally interesting man. There were a lot of things he had in common with Father Hesburgh.

[John Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Optimism is often thwarted, hopes dashed, and faith threatened, but we will never know what heights we can achieve unless we try."

The world could desperately use a Fr. Ted in the world today, and his book from 1990 is at least as relevant today as when it was published 34 years ago. The "memories" contained within are anecdotes everyone should read and consider, coming from one of the greatest people the modern world has been blessed to have. Again, in 1990, Hesburgh wanting to work on "five ideas I believed could change the world and profoundly affect all of humanity: Peace in a nuclear age. Human rights and justice worldwide. Human development in terms of new economic, social, and political structures in the Third World. Ecology, the next great threat to the survival and development of humanity. Ecumenism..." Those would be a pretty good five ideas to change the world for the better today, and his stories could inspire just about anyone to want to effect that change.

I found the chapter on "Student Revolution" particularly thought-provoking in the context of the world today. "Youth especially has much to offer - idealism, generosity, dedication, and service. The last thing a shaken society needs is more shaking. The last thing a noisy, turbulent, and disintegrating community needs is more noise, turbulence, and disintegration." Today's world (and especially youth) seem exceedingly anxious and restless, but I'm concerned it's only being funneled into more shaking and not enough of the bridge-building, and actual effective change engendered by Hesburgh.

[Tom Mcguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stumbled across this in a Guatemalan used bookstore and felt like I had to read it. Father Hesburgh lived a remarkable life; he recounts most of its major events in this curious book which was converted from an oral history into an autobiography. Many events don't get past the surface level; yet their sheer volume and import make the book a fascinating read. I'm now curious about and considering reading Father Bill Miscamble's biography of Father Ted.

[Lane Obringer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean it’s good but just so boring.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man has become a role model for me!!! This candid and entertaining autobiography is incredibly inspiring I highly recommend.

[Keith Padgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite part of the book was the history of Notre Dame that Father Hesburgh explained in the book. I bought this book after a trip to South Bend for a football game in October. I learned quite a bit about ND that I did not already know. Fr. Hesburgh is an incredible person who led an amazing life.

I gave the book a 3 because it is, I guess as expected, a commercial for ND. At times, it is a little hard to take. ND did this, ND did that, ND saved the world, etc.

Again, I guess that is expected. However, this book is certainly worth the read.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Ted is one of my heroes and his words are so wise! The most powerful prayer that will never fail you is "Come Holy Spirit." In times of trouble when you don't know what to do, keep praying "Come Holy Spirit," and the answer will come! This is what Father Ted preached at my 10-year ND reunion in 2002 and I never forgot it! He was right! It works! Plus, he made Notre Dame co-ed!

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up on the recommendation of our parish priest. He ran the PR office for the Cleveland Diocese when Hesburgh's autobiography was first released. In a recent homily, our priest talked about interviewing Hesburgh during that first press push and the book itself.

[Lisa Milo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly amazing and inspiring man. Certainly wish I (or better yet, my children) would have had the chance to meet him! Glad my son got to experience his funeral and the amazing atmosphere of campus that week.

[Erin Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting stories about notre dame and his life. a quick and easy read since i like the biographies

[Jackie Fancher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long but readable. Notre Dame has always interested me. This man lives it.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to believe but it's all true.

[Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Amazing autobiography of our great university president, Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh. I'm proud to have shook his hand and said Hi to him on campus.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an amazing life. How I wish I could read Fr. Hesburgh's thoughts on the world today, and how I wish we had his leadership still.

[Stephen Canham · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you went to, currently attend or wish to attend ND it's a must read.