The Devil and Bella Dodd: One Woman's Struggle Against Communism and Her Redemption
By Mary Nicholas · Published by TAN Books
Overview
Bella Dodd's life traces a dramatic arc from the heights of political subversion to the humble foot of the Cross. As a top organizer for the Communist Party USA, Dodd was instrumental in the "long march" to infiltrate American institutions—including the Church herself. The Devil and Bella Dodd explores the spiritual and ideological seduction of atheistic communism through the eyes of a woman who lived its lies from the inside. Rooted in documented testimony and historical record, this biography reveals how Dodd eventually broke free from the "extorted price" of diabolical companionship. Under the spiritual direction of the venerable Bishop Fulton Sheen, her journey culminates in a public, repentant Catholic witness that remains one of the most significant conversion stories of the 20th century. It is a chilling look at the tactics of the enemy and a glorious testament to the power of redemption.
- Inside the Infiltration: Gain first-hand insight into how communist agents were trained to subvert academia, labor unions, and religious hierarchies.
- The Sheen Connection: Follow the intimate details of Dodd’s conversion process under the mentorship of the legendary Bishop Fulton Sheen.
- Spiritual Awakening: Witness the moment Dodd realized that the "world, the flesh, and the devil" offered only a hollow promise of justice.
- A Witness for Our Time: Understand the modern relevance of Dodd’s warnings regarding ideological subversion and the erosion of the family.
- Redemption in Real-Time: Find hope in a narrative that proves no soul is too far gone for the reach of Catholic grace and the Sacraments.
Highlights of this Dramatic Biography:
- The CPUSA Inner Circle: Dodd’s rise to prominence and her eventually terrifying discovery of the Party’s true masters.
- The Strategy of Chaos: How Dodd utilized her legal and organizational skills to dismantle traditional social structures.
- The "School in the Shadows": A look at the secret education of communist cadres in America.
- Public Testimony: Her courageous decision to speak before Congress and the Church to right her past wrongs.
From the Book
“Step by step, I retreated from God and went forth to meet the world, the flesh, and the devil. . . . There is no doubt that I traveled with him at my side and that he extorted a great price for his company.”
— Bella Dodd
Intended Audience
This work is highly recommended for clergy, seminarians, and lay Catholics concerned with the spiritual roots of modern political ideologies. It is an essential read for those interested in the life of Fulton Sheen, 20th-century history, and powerful stories of conversion from darkness into the Light of Christ.
FAQs
Did Bella Dodd really claim that communists infiltrated the Catholic Church?
Yes. Her testimony regarding the placement of thousands of radicals into seminaries and religious orders during the mid-20th century is a central and sobering part of her historical witness.
Is this book a sequel to "School of Darkness"?
While it covers much of the same ground as Dodd's own autobiography, Mary Nicholas provides deeper historical context, spiritual analysis, and details of her life following her return to the Church that were not present in Dodd's original work.
How does this relate to other "The Devil and..." titles?
This volume focuses on the personal, human dimension of the struggle—showing how the ideologies discussed in books like The Devil and Karl Marx play out in a single soul's battle for salvation.
Key Themes
- Conversion: The movement from atheistic despair to Catholic hope.
- Infiltration: The subversion of society through institutional capture.
- Spiritual Warfare: Recognizing the demonic influence behind totalitarian systems.
- Redemption: The infinite mercy of God for even the most ardent persecutors of the Faith.
- SKU:
- 3193
- Publication Date:
- 11/17/2022
- Format:
- Hardcover
- Pdf:
- https://tanbooks.com/content/DevilAndBellaDodd_Preview.pdf
- Pages:
- 440
- Height:
- 9.00
- Width:
- 6.00
10 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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This is an interesting book .
All should read this book about Bella's life, to learn about communism and how it has a devastating effect on society & the Catholic Church!
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READ THIS BOOK!
If anyone wants to understand why our country is going down the toilet, read this book and you'll understand why! Also, for anyone sending their kids to any school, Catholic, or public, you'll also benefit from reading this! EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!
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book
Well researched and written.
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Communism
Prophetic book
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The Devil and Bella Dodd
Wow! Both my husband and I have learned more than we expected - especially facts about our own childhood in the 50s and 60s. VERY informative book. It has adjusted our thinking on the subject matter, and we are only halfway through...
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hidden truths come to light
what a vindication of sen joe mccarthy;s efforts and evidence of so many americans willful ignorance - all of kengors books are worth reading
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If you want to truly
If you want to truly understand the times we are living in, read this book. When your finished, read The Secret of the Holy Face. Then light a candle before His crucified Face, and tell Him thank you for those who have brought these books messages to us.
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The devil and Bella Dodd
How great thou art. Paul Kengor and Mary Nicholas have produced truth in words. What more can I ask? May the Good Lord Jesus bless this work.
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Great Book!
It makes perfect sense why communists would have wanted to and did infiltrate into Catholic Church holy priesthood. If the Catholic Church hadnt been founded by the Lord Jesus itself upon the rock of Peter, it would have been long destroyed. I think you would have to have blinders on not to see the ideology and wicked doctrine not a few infiltrators it seems at all levels in the Church (yes even and especially at Vatican) are continuing to try and destroy the Catholic Church by watering down the teaching or even trying twisting it to their whacked persuasion. We need much prayer and sacrifice !
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A Biorgraphy Long Overdue
Professor Kengor;s book is a sobering complement to Bella Dodd;s autobiography, "School of Darkness". Both shoud be required reading for every public school student prior to graduation. Unfortunately, within the current political climate of the United States, neither book ever would be.
