"[A] marvelous new biography." --DAN LAWTON, author of Above The Ground: A True Story of the Troubles in Northern Ireland

In his marvelous new biography of Fr. Tom Oddo, Against The Current, Tyler Bieber recounts the extraordinary life of the Catholic priest, educator, and leader, Rev. Thomas Oddo, CSC. Bieber's exhaustive and painstaking research draws heavily from primary sources, including archival material, interviews, and handwritten notes created decades ago by his subject. Bieber weaves a tale that parallels the story of Catholicism in America during times of seismic change following the Second World War and the Second Vatican Council. Bieber's through-line is Oddo's daily effort to live the Gospel and encourage others by example to do the same. Bieber's narrative never drags, and his style is vivid, direct, and plain, making for easy reading as the reader turns the pages wanting more. It helps that his subject's personal qualities include humility, loveability, athleticism, honesty, innovation, fearlessness, and passion for selfless service to people. This is the best nonfiction work about the Church's struggle to maintain relevance in times of upheaval since Charles Morris's American Catholic. --Dan Lawton, author of Above The Ground: A True Story of the Troubles in Northern Ireland

"As President of the University of Portland, Tom [Oddo] had to deal with some major challenges right from the beginning, some financial, some organizational. He took it on with great energy and enthusiasm and advanced the reality and reputation of the school a great deal." --Rev. Edward A."Monk" Malloy, C.S.C.

"I loved getting to know Tom better. Until now, he hasn't received the attention he most definitely deserves." --Brian McNaught, author of A Prince of a Boy: How One Gay Catholic Helped Change the World

"So much of Father Tom's story from decades ago resonates with our modern context--questions of peace, the meaning of faith in a changing world, and the relationship between the Catholic Church and LGBTQ+ people... Against the Current is a powerful reminder that the path I have walked is well-trodden and so many others have come before. It is a moving tribute to the enduring legacy of Father Tom Oddo and the values he stood for and courageously advanced." --Senator Marko Liias