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The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican (1967)

by J. P. Gallagher

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1154235,536 (3.75)5
The Scarlet and the Black tells the astonishing and heroic true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, the man dubbed "The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican" during World War II. Born in Killarney, Ireland, Hugh O'Flaherty was an avid athlete-becoming a formidable boxer, handball player, hurler, and golfer. From an early age, however, he knew his calling was to the priesthood. After his ordination, he served first as an Apostolic Delegate in Egypt, Haiti, Santo Domingo, and Czechoslovakia, then in Rome at the Holy Office (now the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith). It was here in Rome that his greatest work began. After the surrender of Italy in 1943, Rome came under the command of Nazi Colonel Herbert Kappler of the dreaded SS, who began the deportation of Italian Jews to Auschwitz. Kappler was a notorious hater of the Jews, persecuting them at every turn. As a top man in the Vatican Holy Office, Msgr. O'Flaherty sprang into action, organizing a sophisticated team that included men and women of many nationalities, religions, and political views. There was one goal-to save Jews and POWs from the Nazi machine. Despite Kappler's numerous attempts to assassinate him, O'Flaherty persisted, and his efforts saved thousands of Jews and POWs. Using private homes and apartments, churches and monasteries, the effort was all orchestrated by Msgr. O'Flaherty. Each day his familiar figure would stand on the steps of St. Peter's -neutral ground that even the Nazis wouldn t violate - to welcome any fugitives who might be sent his way. All told, of 9,700 Roman Jews, most were saved, with 1,007 shipped to Auschwitz. The rest were hidden, 5,000 of them by the official Church - 3,000 at the Pope s Castel Gandolfo, 200 or 400 (estimates vary) as "members" of the Palatine Guard, and some 1,500 in monasteries, convents and colleges. The remaining 3,700 were hidden in private homes, including Msgr. O'Flaherty's network of apartments. After the war, O'Flaherty was honored by various Allied countries with awards and decorations for his heroic acts to save Jews and POWs.… (more)
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English (3)  Italian (1)  All languages (4)
Showing 3 of 3
Another fantastic WWII book about how a Catholic church helped hide and save thousands of Jewish people, Allied POW's and others from the Nazis, The Scarlet and the Black is a tale full of riveting suspense and intrigue. In this gripping tale, Monsignor O'Flaherty's calling is in the Vatican during the war. Through elaborately laid-out plans, he quietly smuggles political refugees into the Vatican, successfully hiding them and thus saving their lives. Since the Vatican is considered neutral territory, the Nazis could not enter the Vatican to pursue anyone who decided to seek refuge there.
The Nazi officers know that Father O'Flanherty is involved in smuggling people into the Vatican and sending them to safe places of refuge like America. To keep the priest in check, the Nazis paint a white line around the Vatican, and the Nazi soldiers are given the orders that if the Monsignor is caught on the other side of the line, he will be shot. Many times, O'Flaherty tempts fate and walks inches beside the line with sharp shooters aiming at him. In order to avoid capture, he employs various clever disguises, such as a mailman, a nun, and a chimney sweep, and he often operates under the cover of darkness, leaving and reentering the Vatican at night. Finally, he is caught. The most incredible and astonishing part of the story happens after the war, when the Monsignor faithfully visits the Nazi general who tried so hard to orchestrate his capture and subsequent death, and after a period of time the former Nazi general (now in prison) converts to Catholicism.
The story itself is exciting, but the writing is a little difficult to follow. This uplifting, but suspenseful story of intrigue and adventure portrays the great risks and the depth of heroism displayed a Catholic priest during World War II. ( )
1 vote Stsmurphy | Jun 7, 2014 |
An excellent recounting of resistance work during Nazi occupation of Rome. Centers around a marvelous character - Hugh O'Flaherty, fearless and audacious. Fleshes out some of the subsidiary roles merely noted in the Gregory Peck film based on the book.
Better than fiction! ( )
  2wonderY | Aug 10, 2013 |
Tells the story of Hugh O'Flaherty, an Irish priest who saved many refugees from the Nazis.
  stmarysasheville | Apr 14, 2008 |
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J. P. Gallagherprimary authorall editionscalculated
Herreid, JohnCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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One way or another, this story has been nine years in preparation.  (Preface)
Just after eight o'clock on one cool March morning in 1944, during the German military occupation of Rome, a large black sedan drove swiftly and smoothly up the Via della Conciliazione toward St. Peter's Basilica.
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Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican was reprinted by Ignatius Press as The Scarlet and the Black. They are the same book.    "Originally published by Coward-McCann, Inc. as: Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican " t.p. verso (1967)
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The Scarlet and the Black tells the astonishing and heroic true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, the man dubbed "The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican" during World War II. Born in Killarney, Ireland, Hugh O'Flaherty was an avid athlete-becoming a formidable boxer, handball player, hurler, and golfer. From an early age, however, he knew his calling was to the priesthood. After his ordination, he served first as an Apostolic Delegate in Egypt, Haiti, Santo Domingo, and Czechoslovakia, then in Rome at the Holy Office (now the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith). It was here in Rome that his greatest work began. After the surrender of Italy in 1943, Rome came under the command of Nazi Colonel Herbert Kappler of the dreaded SS, who began the deportation of Italian Jews to Auschwitz. Kappler was a notorious hater of the Jews, persecuting them at every turn. As a top man in the Vatican Holy Office, Msgr. O'Flaherty sprang into action, organizing a sophisticated team that included men and women of many nationalities, religions, and political views. There was one goal-to save Jews and POWs from the Nazi machine. Despite Kappler's numerous attempts to assassinate him, O'Flaherty persisted, and his efforts saved thousands of Jews and POWs. Using private homes and apartments, churches and monasteries, the effort was all orchestrated by Msgr. O'Flaherty. Each day his familiar figure would stand on the steps of St. Peter's -neutral ground that even the Nazis wouldn t violate - to welcome any fugitives who might be sent his way. All told, of 9,700 Roman Jews, most were saved, with 1,007 shipped to Auschwitz. The rest were hidden, 5,000 of them by the official Church - 3,000 at the Pope s Castel Gandolfo, 200 or 400 (estimates vary) as "members" of the Palatine Guard, and some 1,500 in monasteries, convents and colleges. The remaining 3,700 were hidden in private homes, including Msgr. O'Flaherty's network of apartments. After the war, O'Flaherty was honored by various Allied countries with awards and decorations for his heroic acts to save Jews and POWs.

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It has all the hallmarks of a best-selling fictional thriller: espionage, conspiracy, a struggle against evil powers, undercover work by dark of night... but it's all true. The Scarlet and the Black tells the astonishing and heroic true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, the man dubbed "The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican" during World War II.

Born in Killarney, Ireland, Hugh O'Flaherty was an avid athlete-becoming a formidable boxer, handball player, hurler, and golfer. From an early age, however, he knew his calling was to the priesthood. After his ordination, he served first as an Apostolic Delegate in Egypt, Haiti, Santo Domingo, and Czechoslovakia, then in Rome at the Holy Office (now the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith). It was here in Rome that his greatest work began.

After the surrender of Italy in 1943, Rome came under the command of Nazi Colonel Herbert Kappler of the dreaded SS, who began the deportation of Italian Jews to Auschwitz. Kappler was a notorious hater of the Jews, persecuting them at every turn. As a top man in the Vatican Holy Office, Msgr. O'Flaherty sprang into action, organizing a sophisticated team that included men and women of many nationalities, religions, and political views. There was one goal-to save Jews and POWs from the Nazi machine. Despite Kappler's numerous attempts to assassinate him, O'Flaherty persisted, and his efforts saved thousands of Jews and POWs.

Using private homes and apartments, churches and monasteries, the effort was all orchestrated by Msgr. O'Flaherty. Each day his familiar figure would stand on the steps of St. Peter's -neutral ground that even the Nazis wouldn t violate - to welcome any fugitives who might be sent his way. All told, of 9,700 Roman Jews, most were saved, with 1,007 shipped to Auschwitz. The rest were hidden, 5,000 of them by the official Church - 3,000 at the Pope s Castel Gandolfo, 200 or 400 (estimates vary) as "members" of the Palatine Guard, and some 1,500 in monasteries, convents and colleges. The remaining 3,700 were hidden in private homes, including Msgr. O'Flaherty's network of apartments. After the war, O'Flaherty was honored by various Allied countries with awards and decorations for his heroic acts to save Jews and POWs.

This classic account by J.P. Gallagher was adapted into the acclaimed television movie, The Scarlet and the Black, starring Gregory Peck as Msgr. O Flaherty and Christopher Plummer as Colonel Kappler.

[retrieved 10/6/2014 from Amazon.com]
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