Deacon Tom Bradley joins the Catholic Morning Show to discuss his new historical novel, Dancing Without Applause: The Land Remembers, the story of two Catholic families, one German and one Irish, growing up in central Iowa from 1915 to 1962. Drawing on stories from his own family, he explores the little-known friction between Irish and German Catholic immigrants and the quiet, unrecognized faith of ordinary Iowans. Deacon Tom also shares why honest stories about poverty, addiction, and family secrets can open the door to healing and hope.
Deacon Tom Bradley — permanent deacon of the Diocese of Des Moines, retired U.S. Army colonel, and author — talks with Bo Bonner about his new novel, Dancing Without Applause: The Land Remembers. The book follows Lawrence and Irene, born around 1915 into a German Catholic family and an Irish Catholic family in central Iowa, as they grow up, fall in love, and marry despite the tension between their two communities.
Deacon Tom explains the history behind that tension: Irish immigrants often arrived first but with fewer resources, while German immigrants later bought up farmland more quickly, breeding resentment on both sides — a reminder that ethnic friction in America is nothing new. Spanning 1915 to 1962, through World War I, World War II, and Korea, the story tackles serious themes including poverty, alcoholism, abuse, and the secrets families keep, while showing a simple, steadfast faith: God is present in every family's struggles.
The book continues the "without applause" theme of Deacon Tom's first novel, Marching Without Applause: The Officers Who Defied a Nation's Doubt, about the 1917 training camp for Black Army officers at Fort Des Moines — stories of people living faithfully without recognition.
Meet Deacon Tom at his book launch on Saturday, October 17, at Holy Trinity, from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. for signed copies and a reading. Order both books at TomBradleyBooks.com or on Amazon.
Heard on the Catholic Morning Show, weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio. More at IowaCatholicRadio.com.
#DancingWithoutApplause #DeaconTomBradley #CatholicBooks #HistoricalFiction #IowaHistory #CatholicFamily #CatholicAuthor #CatholicPodcast