Don't Be Afraid, Gringo: A Honduran Woman Speaks From The Heart: The Story of Elvia Alvarado [Paperback]

Elvia Alvarado (Author), Medea Benjamin (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 19, 1989

"Elvia Alvarado tells the story of her life and the life of the people of Honduras. Read it and understand the struggle against tyranny of the poor. Read it and act."--Alice Walker

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Spanish (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: HarperPerennial (July 19, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006097205X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060972059
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > History > Americas > Central America > Honduras
  • #61 in Books > History > Americas > Mexico

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars powerful, fast read, February 14, 2002

By 

Sarah (WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Be Afraid, Gringo: A Honduran Woman Speaks From The Heart: The Story of Elvia Alvarado (Paperback)

I went to Honduras on a short term mission trip last year and I've seen poverty first hand. This book has opened my eyes even further of the rural poor of Honduras. This is the story of a courageous woman who is helping her people overcome their unimaginable poverty by discovering the roots of it.
In a subtle sense she denounces short term mission projects....that we come in to countries like hers and try to put a band-aid on a skull fracture. Americans, like myself, come into these third-world countries thinking we are fixing a country's problems in a couple weeks by donating old Gap t-shirts and building a few houses and then leaving. She urges the fact that if we are to really help the poor, we need to make a long-term commitment to get at the root of the problems. Shes not asking for sympathy, but for us to join us in her struggle. Get this book if you are ready to make a difference.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INSPIRING!, November 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Be Afraid, Gringo: A Honduran Woman Speaks From The Heart: The Story of Elvia Alvarado (Paperback)

A truly great read. Luckily, this book was assigned in my sociology class or else I probably would have never read it. It gives you an accurate portrait of peasant life in Honduras. If you want to be inspired read this book. After reading this book I feel like going down there to help them in some way. Her book is put in very simple terms and it is easy to see the injustices going on in her land. If you don't read it tell someone about the book. THANK YOU ELVIA!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best looks at human rights and our own injustice., April 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Be Afraid, Gringo: A Honduran Woman Speaks From The Heart: The Story of Elvia Alvarado (Paperback)

I had the pleasure of meeting Elvia Alvarado when she visited Butler University in the Spring of 1997. Her book opens ones eyes to the oppressed life in Honduras - both the corrupt government there and our own government's envolvment. After reading this book, one wants to go out and right all the wrongs that have befallen the Honduran people. You do not need to know much about Honduras to find value in this book, it is well worth the read.