The Scarlet and the Black: The True Story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, Hero of the Vatican Underground

J. P. Gallagher wrote the book titled THE THE SCARLET AND THE BLACK which could be described as "a page turner." While the book focused on Msgr. Hugh O'Flaherty (1898-1963), Gallahger was not remiss to include those who worked with O' Flaherty. These men and women literally risked certain death in rescuing prisoners of war, Jewish people, and poltical fugitives. Gallager's book gave detailed descriptions of heroism, apathetic cowardliness, and tragedy. The setting of the book was war time Italy when the Vatican and Catholic officials were caught between Italian Fascist authorities and the German Gestapo.Msgr O' Flaherty lived in Ireland during the time of British attempts to crush Irish independence movements (1916-1923).Gallagherty related that O' Flaherty witnessed wanton murder by the British "Black and Tans" who were essentially recruited murderous thugs who shot unarmed innocent women and children. While O' Flaherty had a strong dislike toward the British, he was later highly respected by British POWs whom he helped to rescue in war time Italy.The book began with a Gestapo plot to kidnap and assassante O' Flaherty as he was leaving Mass and the Vatican. The plot was easily detected, and the Swiss Guards sternly ushered the SS to a group of Yugosalvian partisans who mugged the SS men. This was not the only time that O' Flaherty frustrated the Italian and German SS, but the anecdote was in invitaion to further read of other plots, narrow escapes, and guile to outsmart the Italian and German secret police and intelligence officials. Given how often O' Flaherty & co. outfoxed the German and Italian intelligence operatives, one may rhetorically ask who had more intelligence.O' Flaherty was quickly recognized as an intelligent Catholc priest and was quickly transferred to the Vatican to work in the Holy Office. His duties included handling anullment cases, theological disputes, and other disgreements re the Catholic Church. However, once O' Flaherty visited British POWs, he quickly assumed a new unofficial vocation to help prisoners and to assist escapees. His efforts expanded to assist political dissenters and fugatives as well as Jewish people. O' Flaherty's passion to help those in distress was matched by intelligence and clever organization. In spite of death threats and risks, O' Flaherty & co. remained undaunted and courageous.One of the many characters that Gallagher mentioned in this book was Henrietti Chavalier who used her residence to shelter escapees and refugees. She worked very closely with O' Flaherty, and she knew very well that she would be executed along with her daughters if caught. Gallagher wrote about narrow escapes and clever ruses used by this brave woman and her daughters. After one German search, the commander complimented Mrs. Chavaliers efforts to thwart his investigation.Obviously, O Flaherty also experienced narrow escapes. He posed as coal delivery man and was able to sneak past German police efforts to capture and assassinate him. Fortunately for O' Flaherty's network usually got notice of SS (both German and Italian) plots, and when some plots were not discovered, O' Flaherty had enough wits to avoid capture. While many Italians collaberated with O' Flaherty and Vatican efforts to rescue fugitives including Jewish fugitives, some Italians betrayed O' Flaherty's aides, and some were martyured.One of the tragic incidents was the "allied" bombing of the Castle Gondolfo where Pope Pius XII had housed many Jewish refugees. Another tragic blunder that Gallagher cited was the allied bombing of the monastary at Monte Cansio. The latter was unnecessary and a blunder as Churchill lated admitted. The destruction of Monte Casino gave the Germans protection because of the broken construction pieces from which they could stop any allied advance. The Ardeantine executions were yet another tragic incident. Partisans ambushed a German unit resulting in 32 deaths plus wounded. The German commander, Col. Kappler, ordered the excution of 320 civilians plus five partisans as reprisal. Readers should note that guerrilla war was outlawed by international law and permitted civilian executions. This was a tragic case of "violence begets violence." The partisans knew their action could inflict harm on innocent civilians.Gallagher closed this book with the awards and praise that Msgr. O'Flahety & co. were given at the end of the war. Gallagher also noted that O' Flaherty helped those "on the wrong side of the war" escape. In other words, the good Msgr. O'Flaherty helped anyone in distress. Readers should note that both Catholics and non-Catholics highly repected and honored O' Flaherty who made a favorable impression on those whom he helped.Readers should find THE SCARLET AND THE BLACK an exciting and, at times, humorous read. A good companion book is titled BAD TIMES: GOOD PEOPLE. Readers should be encourged that during dark times, courageous people can emerge and make a difference for the better. This book is a good antidote to apathy and despair and is even "uplifting."James E. EgolfApril 13, 2014.

Hugh O'Flaherty is an Irishman who joins the priesthood. With the world being what it was at the time, he also had a somewhat anti-British streak that ran through his blood. When WWII broke out, something more important took over: his need to protect and look after others.Hugh starts off by visiting prisoner-of-war camps and getting messages out. Eventually, this grows into a vast network of priests, civilians and escapees working together to thwart the Germans in Rome. Eventually, the Germans see how valuable he is to the organization, and they try to capture him on more than one occasion. He remains out of their reach, and saves many lives in the process.This book in particular is okay, and it does tell Hugh's story, but it also focuses a lot on other aspects of the organization. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but if you're looking for a total focus on Hugh, it's not what you're getting here. I did discover that one of the top men of the organization, Sam Derry, has written a book about this as well, and I plan on reading it for his opinion.I believe that Hugh O'Flaherty was a genuinely humble and wonderful man. The fame and fables that surrounded him after the war didn't do him any favors apparently, and that's unfortunate. It seems like he just wanted to go about his business of helping people without being bothered. On the other hand, it's a wonderful story that needed to be told, and these men needed to be recognized for their work. Overall, I liked it, but I wish it had focused more on Hugh himself.

This is an adventure story of a little-known figure who made a big impact on the lives of many in World War II in Italy. This story of the Irish Catholic priest Msgr. Hugh O'Flaherty working in the Vatican's Holy Office relates his extensive efforts to find hiding places in areas around Rome for Allied soldiers and flyers on the run from the Nazis. It is quite a story, easy to read, and very engaging. (As one who is currently teaching middle school history, I think it might even be a good book for teens. And for adult readers as well, of course.)My only disappointment was that there are no footnotes identifying the sources of the information in the text and there is no Index to help the reader find information in the book. I would also have found it helpful to have a "Cast of Characters" to help keep the people straight in my mind. (For readers wanting a more scholarly approach to the same topic, perhaps Stephen Walker's "Hide and Seek" would be an option, which I have also read and reviewed.) And I do like a few more photos than were included here as they help to make connections. But all considered, I highly recommend this book as it sheds light on a little-known aspect of World War II.I read this book after viewing the DVD by the same name on the same subject. Gregory Peck plays Msgr. O'Flaherty in the movie and is a much more dashing figure than Msgr. O'Flaherty in real life, but such is Hollywood!

What a remarkable man this was. Many will be familiar with the story through the portrayal of this Monsignor by Gregory Peck. Typically, as remarkable as the movie is, the true story is even moreso. The book makes a great companion to the film to sort out fact from fiction and fictionalized facts.This is the story of a Catholic priest, more, about one man's personal campaign against evil and he did not care what uniform it wore. He was not in partnership with any nationality. His first loyalty was to Rome and the Vatican. But, he waged his campaign knowing that the system could only go so far in sheltering him and those who worked with him and unselfishly, he never let personal risk deter him from doing what he saw as right.One need not be a Catholic or Christian to appreciate the lengths he went to and risks he took in opposing the greatest evil of the last century. Do not let religious bias stay you from reading this. As the man himself was big, his story is bigger than that.

Great piece of untold true events in the Vatican during the war

I bought this as I had seen the film several times with Gregory Peck. as Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty. I thought he resembled the true Monsignor. This book was so good I could barely put it down. A true story which also contained photographs and diagrams.Well worth reading.

A gripping record of how an Irish priest and brave Italians outwitted the German army occupying Rome in WW2.

a1

brilliant true story the man was a real hero his life story had to be told what HE DID WAS FOR THE GOOD OF MAN KIND