Prince of Peace:

Prince of Peace by James Carroll is a powerful exploration of the clash between individual conscience and institutional authority. The novel follows a Catholic priest's journey from a reluctant soldier in Korea to a clergyman and, ultimately, to ex-communication and infamy as a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War. Carroll masterfully captures the deep conflicts between established authority figures who blindly support war and those who dare to challenge their misguided decisions. The novel highlights the Vietnam War and serves as a broader commentary on humanity's collective reluctance to acknowledge our errors and alter our course—whether in climate change, economic injustice, or other pressing issues. Through the priest’s story, the Prince of Peace underscores the importance of heeding the warnings of those who dare to speak out, even when their voices are few and far between. It’s a poignant reminder of the dangers of complacency and the urgent need for change.

Warning, this review contains spoilers but I don't know how to express my reaction without them! Frank and Michael grew up together in New York City just down the hill from The Cloisters. As boys they would often go to The Cloisters to sit in the garden, smoke cigarettes, and discuss life. They were altar boys together and their growing up, in the 1940s was as naive and as Catholic as my own life was a decade later. Michael served in Korea where he was a hero and spent 3 years as a POW. When he returns to America he decides to enter the seminary. Frank is an aspiring poet, aspiring beatnik, and ultimately winds up teaching at Fordham, the Jesuit university in New York. Carroll is a masterful writer and, though he spent a lot of time describing the era, the politics, the settings, it was done so well and the story was so compelling that reading it was sheer joy. As a young deacon, a year away from ordination, Michael meets the very beautiful and feisty Sister Anne Edwards and, because of her passionate commitment to trying to save the school she teaches at, he has his first taste of political activism but things do not go well. In the fallout he introduces Sister Ann to Frank, returns to the seminary, she leaves the convent and goes back to being Carolyn. She has fallen in love with Michael but, because he is unavailable, marries Frank. This was a bit of a stretch for me but, okay, I'll bite, what's up with this? But, of course, it doesn't matter because the rest of the book is about Father Michael Maguire --- it is about the politics leading up to the war in Vietnam and Michael's efforts to save the children being wounded in the war, and then his fight to stop the war, and then his life as a fugitive and an activist, and a hero to the millions who support his cause. Now, at that period of time, when I was in high school, college, and beyond, the war against the war in Vietnam was very much a part of my life. I was fascinated by and hero-worshipped the resistance. I loved Abby Hoffman. I loved Tom Hayden. And I especially loved the Berrigans, Daniel and Philip, two brother priests whom I found the most incredible people of the era. So reading about Father Michael Maguire was a delicious treat. The character of Michael seemed very close to Fr. Philip Berrigan in places but also to all the resistance-priests who became politically active. It was a volatile time for Catholics not just because of the war but also because our Church was changing thanks to Pope John XXIII's Vatican II Council. So, here I am thoroughly engrossed in the story. Throughout Michael's most intense period of activism, during his trial for destruction of Federal Property, and then while he is living underground, he is very much supported by Frank and Carolyn. They love him and admire his work and, when he jumps bail rather than go to prison, they are the ones who forfeit the $20K bail they posted. But it is worth it because they believe in him and what he stands for. T

James Carroll has created a stimulating, ultimately uncomplicated story that resonates with those whose generation was permanently scarred by Viet Nam and unexpected lies from false leaders. The characters are not surprising, but Carroll's ability to bring them vividly to life is masterful. Unsuspecting idealists are disillusioned, not a surprise in the current generation of cynicism. But in the Kennedy era of hopes and dreams it came as a terrible blow. Institutions are villains and man is imperfect, not a new theme. But the way it is woven through the story shines light on the era in a compelling way. Prince of Peace is an inspiring book, despite the sadness of its story. I feel better off for having read it.

I was awed by this novel. It is not a fast read, but a most satisfying one. With a great deal of historic detail, Carroll draws from his own experience as a priest during the Vietnam era, and the conflicts he confronted. This book is a "must read" part of Vietnam era literature, along with The Quiet American by Graham Greene. These were complicated times, the country was divided, and it wasn't until the Mai Lai massacre story was revealed that most U.S. citizens realized that our soldiers were capable of, and ordered to by their superiors, commit mass murder of unarmed civilians.

As a baby-boomer, anti-Vietnam protester, and clergy (Methodist, not Catholic), this book grabbed me where I live. While there is a culture in the Catholic Church that I will never know, the struggles with hierarchy, obedience, and the confusion of secular, political ends with spiritual "correctness" will be familiar to all who serve or served in ministry while disagreeing with our government about Vietnam. Overlaying this is the tension of the whole obedience to a sacred vow of celibacy versus true romantic love and the jealousy that such love creates between friends. The resolution of these tensions is a powerful image of redemption - both personally, politically and spiritually.

This is an intricate story of love on many different levels. Set in New York and Vietnam in the 1960's, the story revolves around two friends who grew up together and took very different paths in life. The characters are wrapped in webs of love; romantic love, love for friends, love for God, love for the church, love for their country. One by one each of these strands starts to unwind. I think this is what gripped me...how far can the love be stretched...how much betrayal can love withstand? I have been haunted by the ending of the book, wondering if it is believable. It leaves the reader examining their own presuppositions about the endurability of love and the meaning of forgiveness. I would highly recommend it.