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| I had the pleasure of autographing a copy of Father Ed for Keaton Douglas (right) of the Center of Addiction & Faith when she came to my talk at St. Cecilia's in Rockaway, NJ, on October 19, 2023. |
The response to Father Ed: The Story of Bill W.'s Spiritual Sponsor, my biography of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson's dear friend and advisor Father Edward Dowling, SJ, has been overwhelming, and I couldn't be more grateful. As I write, Father Ed is in its second printing and has won a 2023 Christopher Award as a work that "affirms the highest values of the human spirit."
I've decided to create a running list of Father Ed media mentions here on The Dawn Patrol and update it each time another one appears. The date of this entry will change as I update it, so that it may remain uppermost or near-uppermost. I realize there are surely some items missing from this list; if you notice an omission, please drop me a line (see my email at the bottom of my Bio page).
November 2023
James K. Hanna reviewed Father Ed on his Substack: "Father Ed is a biography and much more - this is a book about relationships, the essence of humanity - and whether you have an interest in A.A. or not, I highly recommend it as a users guide to living life on life’s terms."
Lindsay Weishar reviewed Father Ed for the Diocese of Peoria's Catholic Post: "One of the lovely things about Goldstein’s biography is that it not only highlights Father Ed’s life, but also the ways in which his life was deeply affected by those to whom he ministered."
October 2023
Mark Tarnacki wrote a review of my talk on Father Ed at St. Michael's College in Vermont, including photos: "Goldstein told her warmly welcoming Saint Michael's audience of about 50, including several Edmundites and area friends of the AA fellowship, that Bill and Dr. Bob’s Vermont connection made this talk particularly meaningful for her."
August 2023
Wes Cipolla of The Boston Pilot interviewed me in advance of my giving a Boston-area talk on Father Ed.
Parabola magazine featured an excerpt from Father Ed on Father Edward Dowling's first meeting with Bill W.
June 2023
Veronica Valli interviewed me on Father Ed for her Soberful podcast, calling him "The First Sponsor."
May 2023
Matt Kappadakunnel reviewed Father Ed for US Catholic: "Thanks to Goldstein, we meet a saint who teaches us that God can transform our weaknesses to transmit grace."
TL Putnam interviewed on Father Ed for his podcast "Outside the Walls."
April 2023
A Journey Through NYC Religion ran a two-part interview with me. The first part is above; click here to view part two.
Our Sunday Visitor included Father Ed among its list of "Exciting New Books."
David Crumm interviewed me about Father Ed for Read the Spirit.
Chicago Catholic editor Joyce Duriga interviewed me for her podcast Beyond the Headlines.
March 2023
Alessandra Harris reviewed Father Ed for the National Catholic Reporter: "Father Ed is an uplifting witness of a priest whose mission was to minister to people suffering on the margins of society and share Christ's healing love with them."
Notre Dame's Church Life Journal published an excerpt from Father Ed.
The Christophers announced that Father Ed was a winner of the 2023 Christopher Award.
Pat McMahon interviewed me on Father Ed for his radio program "The God Show."
David Dault interviewed me on Father Ed for his podcast Things Not Seen.
Barbara Hughes reviewed Father Ed in The Catholic Virginian:
Patricia Lawler Kenet reviewed Father Ed in America magazine: "[In Father Ed,] we encounter a remarkable individual whose intellect, enthusiasm and humility helped Alcoholics Anonymous burgeon into a worldwide haven for spiritual growth for those struggling with addiction."
Ruthie Gledhill interviewed me on Father Ed for The Tablet Podcast.
February 2023
Valerie Schultz reviewed Father Ed for The Californian: "Father Ed seemed to embody a human bridge between Ignatian spirituality and AA."
Msgr. Richard Antall reviewed Father Ed for Angelus: “Goldstein’s book is a portrait of a creative priest who also intersected with an important chunk of American Catholic history.”
Ruthie Gledhill reviewed Father Ed in The Tablet (UK): "[Goldstein's] thoroughly researched and profoundly moving biography of this remarkable man will be of interest to people involved with the 12-step programme, as well as to those who are curious about the pre-Vatican II priestly formation of Jesuits.January 2023
Sarah Negri reviewed Father Ed for the Acton Institute Blog: "With depth and style, Goldstein unveils the figure of Dowling and honors his tireless devotion to helping 'people with problems,' thereby offering inspiration and hope to modern readers on their own healing journey."America magazine ran an excerpt from Father Ed.
December 2022
Daniel Amiri reviewed Father Ed for Where Peter Is: "I found Dawn Eden Goldstein’s book, Father Ed: The Story of Bill W.’s Spiritual Sponsor, to present an inspiring model."
Prof. John W. Martens interviewed me on his podcast "What Matters Most."
November 2022
James P. Pinkerton reviewed Father Ed in The American Conservative: "In [Goldstein's] scholarly hands, Dowling comes to life as a man with a mission—and actually, many missions, practical and spiritual. For all his close association with Wilson, Goldstein writes that Dowling’s 'true purpose went well beyond sobering up drunks.'"
Tony Rossi interviewed me on Father Ed for a print article and podcast on Light One Candle—The Blog of the Christophers.
PBS affiliate New Jersey Spotlight News featured an interview with me on Father Ed.
September 2022
Publishers Weekly reviewed Father Ed: "This is a powerful take on an often overlooked spiritual influence on Alcoholics Anonymous."
