The first volume of Monk Malloy's memoir is more than a collection of personal reminiscences of the early decades of his life by a retired Catholic university president. At its heart the volume is also a detailed chronicle of the formation of a son who, from his youth during the second half of the last century, absorbed the religious faith and convictions of his representative middle-class Irish American Catholic family. It is the influence of that faith and cultural heritage throughout his personal and professional formation that grounds Monk's aspirations and achievements as priest, religious, and educator.” —Ernest Bartell, C.S.C., Faculty Fellow, Kellogg Institute for International Studies, University of Notre Dame
"Time has taken Monk and me in totally different directions from our high school days together at Archbishop Carroll High School. It was enjoyable getting reacquainted through this book. I found his very accurate description of his shooting ability most amusing!" —John Thompson, Basketball Coach Emeritus, Georgetown University
"As one of the many fans of Father Ed 'Monk' Malloy, I was delighted to peruse his new autobiography which he has graciously written. It brings to life many of the highlights of his life and explains many of the great characteristics that have lead him to be much admired in our world. I trust many others will share in this delight. I congratulate Monk on this wonderful account." —Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., President Emeritus, University of Notre Dame
"It's great to see that basketball should be such an important part of such an important life. I really enjoyed reading this book and I'm sure other people will also." —Lou Carnesecca, Basketball Coach Emeritus, St. John's University
“Father Monk gives an insight into his life by sharing success, challenges, and a destiny of response to a call to be a Holy Cross religious-priest. It is a journey of a soul!” —Rev. Thomas E. Chambers, CSC, President Emeritus, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, New Orleans
"One of the greatest blessings in life is the opportunity to touch people's lives. Father Malloy has done that as a player, teacher, priest, and President of the University of Notre Dame . . . and he has done it again in this inspiring and motivating book. Be prepared to laugh. Monk can really spin a tale." —Morgan Wootten, coach Emeritus, DeMatha High School
“ ‘. . . my story is in some ways the typical American success story,’ Monk Malloy says. ‘My parents were both high school educated and I was the first member of our extended family to go to college.’ . . . Malloy says that he wrote the first volume [of his memoir] in a way that shows how his personal story was transformed by the changes taking place in society and within the Catholic Church.” —South Bend Tribune
"The president of the University of Notre Dame from 1987 to 2005 provides an informative and readable memoir starting from birth to completion of graduate studies. Readers from Notre Dame's constituency, such as this alumnus, will find Monk's formative experiences and perspectives on Notre Dame persons and issues especially interesting. For historians and others, Monk reveals the early years of a major figure in higher education and a rich personal account of a Catholic priest's formation in an era of rapid change." —The Catholic Historical Review
"Monk's Tale offers a clear testimony to the formative years of one of Indiana's most solid university administrators. The book will appeal to those with a connection to Notre Dame. Other readers will appreciate Malloy's meticulously reconstructed cultural and religious history. . . . Monk's Tale is an important addition to understanding the dynamics within one of the best-known universities in both the state and nation." —Indiana Magazine of History
