Notre Dame vs. The Klan: How the Fighting Irish Defied the KKK

A good summery of the strength and activity of the Klan in Indiana.I would not say Notre Dame defeated the Klan. A more honest appraisal would that it outlasted the Klan which defeated itself.It is an enlightening story about the clash between the two.

As a ND grad I really appreciated the insight of this era

This was very eye opening! Definitely not what you are taught in an American History class! This is a very lengthy read and at times reads like a textbook. I personally did not find that a detraction.I really think this is a must read if you are interested in either the history of The Klan or Notre Dame. I can truly say I learned many new facts about both. I have recommended this to many friends..

Fairly interesting history, more for early Notre Dame and for the KKK in Indiana. Riot itself was not really that significant in the scheme of things. ND hierarchy rightly felt that KKK would implode by itself.

I stumbled across this book by accident and because I am interested in the history of racial and religious bigotry in the US, I bought it. It was a fascinating study of a little-known encounter between the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana and the students of Notre Dame. Most intriguing, from my perspective, was the story of D. C. Stephenson, who rose to prominence with the KKK in the 1920's, and whose battle for leadership led ultimately to the collapse of the Klan during that era. The author gives us lots of historical background on Stephenson, his opposite, Fr. Walsh of Notre Dame, and the development of both Notre Dame and the Klan of the '20's.The actual clash between the Fighting Irish takes up only a small part of the book, but with the historical background, we can understand better why it was so significant, and why it is not well known today. It also reminds us of an era in which racial and religious prejudice was widely held, and is a reminder of the need to stand up against it.

Very interesting. I was unaware of much of the history presented in this book.

Wonderful story. Many lessons applicable to today

Like Like Like--lived in South Bend most of my life and had no idea about his. Knew KKK was heavy in Indiana but not here. Very interesting!

Even as an American, I never knew or heard of the 1924 combat between the KuKluxKlan and the students of Notre Dame. It was serious and bloody, and way outside the law in any case. There really was no winner here, though some might say it was Notre Dame, since that scuffling triggered a breakdown in the KKK's influence and membership, certainly nothing wrong with that destruction of bigoted nitwits. On the other hand, after the conclusion, you wind up rather disliking both parties, and the hypocrisy both exhibited.

Makes one proud to be a Catholic although not a very observant one. The Klan are I suppose the American version of ISIS. Intolerant idiots. Well they met their match in the brave students of Notre Dame.Buiochas le Dhia

This is one of those books that opens up a corner of history of which you were totally unaware, but goes on to help make sense of the world. It manages to both illustrate the evil of the KKK whilst debunking them as a ruthlessly commercial enterprise.

INTERESTING HISTORICAL INFORMATION.