Jim Bowman, Writer
Jim Bowman, former Chicago Tribune columnist and former Chicago Daily News reporter, writes business and local history.
He also has written books about religion, drawing partly on his tenure as religion reporter for the Chicago Daily News, 1968-1978, but also on his previous 18 years as a Jesuit, as in his latest book, Company Man: My Jesuit Life, 1950-1968, a Blithe Spirit Publication in collaboration with Little Man Press.
Recently published:
* Company Man: My Jesuit Life, 1950-1968, A Blithe Spirit Publication, 2012 -- Bowman's years as a member of the Society of Jesus, also referred to as the Company of Jesus, from 18-year-old novice to seminary student of literature, philosophy, and theology and a priest for five years before leaving, eventually marrying and with his wife raising six children. A story of personal development and at the same time a careful and respectful look at life in the world-renowned Jesuits.
Less recently published:
* A Short History of Oak Park: Volume One, 2004-2005, A Blithe Spirit Publication, 2009. This short history is an informal account based on monthly columns by Jim Bowman in the Wednesday Journal of Oak Park & River Forest (Illinois). It reports events with commentary, implied or otherwise, catching the flavor of Oak Park life. Bowman grew up in Oak Park in the 30s and 40s, He and his wife have lived there since 1970 and raised their six children there.
Corporate History and other commissioned books:
* Reach Out . . . The Story of Motorola and its People, by Harry Mark Petrakis, 2003; Bowman was an editor.
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Other:
Priests at Work: Catholic Pastors Tell How They Apply Church Law in Difficult Cases, by Jim Bowman, is on sale at Xlibris.com. $18.69 in paper. (Formerly Bending the Rules: What American Priests Tell American Catholics)
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2004-2009, Bowman did a monthly column for Wednesday Journal of Oak Park & River Forest (Illinois). Selected columns.
Blogs:
* Blithe Spirit: Conservative commentary on events and others' commentary. Chicago newspapers, churches, Oak Park (IL), politics, and the merely curious.
* Not for Attribution: Diary of a Mad (Catholic) Reader. More personal, heavier on the religious and literary.
1982-85. For the Tribune Sunday Magazine, "The Way We Were," a column on Chicago history using Tribune clips and Chicago Historical Society, Newberry Library, and Art Institute of Chicago files.
1968-78. Reporter, Chicago Daily News
