Warriors in Eden [Hardcover]

Mariano Gagnon (Author), William Hoffer (Author), Marilyn Hoffer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1993

A Franciscan priest describes how he led Peruvian Indians in their battle for survival against Shining Path terrorists, drug traffickers, and government corruption. 30,000 first printing. $25,000 ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1969 when Gagnon, an American Franciscan friar, began his missionary work among the Ashaninka tribe in the mountains of Peru, he hoped to help them become a thriving community while preserving their culture which was largely untouched by the 20th century. Two developments destroyed the mission compound--an influx of cocaine processors and attacks from the Marxist revolutionaries known as the Shining Path--and in 1990 forced evacuations of the 300 Ashaninka from their homeland. This cruel migration, led by Gagnon over unforgiving terrain and with great loss of lives, is the centerpiece of his book written with the Hoffers ( Midnight Express ). Because of his dedication to the Ashaninka, Gagnon confronted indifferent authority on every level: his religious superiors, the governmments of Peru and of the United States, which he suspects of covert activities in Peru. In a chaotic narrative that is at times confusing, we follow the inspiring steps of a "pistol-packing padre" who armed his friends for their survival. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In middle life, Father Gagnon began working with the Ashaninka Indians in Peru's mountains and jungles. Anticipating the encroachment of "civilization," he recognized the importance of introducing healthcare, education, and job training in ways that would preserve the Indians' cultural integrity. He had not, however, anticipated the violent encroachment of drug traffickers and Shining Path terrorists. In this account, he (with the Hoffers, whose books include Midnight Express and Not Without My Daughter ) chronicles his struggles with declared enemies as well as with church, Peruvian government, and American embassy officials. His efforts to preserve the Ashaninka from extinction would make good reading as fiction; as a personal narrative, it is even more remarkable. Gagnon self-consciously defies stereotypes of the clergyman and only occasionally includes reflections such as whether self-preservation justifies violence. Nonetheless, readers will discover here a compelling story.
- Cynthia Widmer, Downingtown, Pa.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 319 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow & Co; 1st edition (August 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688117961
• ISBN-13: 978-0688117962
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,368,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I have heard about the mythical Father Mariano my whole life, January 18, 2000

By 

d boisvert (Siberia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warriors in Eden (Hardcover)

I read this book several years ago and really enjoyed it. However I am biased because my father is related to Father Mariano and has talked about him for years. As a teenager I thought this adventurous relative was a family joke being played on me because his exploits sounded so far-fetched.

One day though, my excited father showed me a video-tape of a Jacque Cousteau show documenting a trip up the Amazon. In this documentary, Cousteau actually met, stayed with, and interviewed the legendary Father Mariano. There HE WAS- FATHER MARIANO in the South American wilderness! And after 30 years in the jungle, still looking like "pierre six pack"- a bit like my french-canadian dad when he goes golfing! He even sounded like he had just parachuted in from Manchester NH!

When this book came out, Father Mariano's legend was confirmed- at least in the Boisvert family. Seriously though, it is an engaging read albeit quite disturbing in places.

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, July 9, 2009

By 

K. M. Orciuch - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Warriors in Eden (Hardcover)

It's funny that you can't get a hold of people who write reviews, I notice the other reviewer mentions that his father is related to Father Mariano and so am I! He is my grandmothers cousin and she is the one who recommended the book to me. She had her copy stuffed with a bunch of newspaper articles that had been done on him. It was amazing to read such an inspiring story and know that I was somehow connected/related to this amazing pioneer. My family hasn't heard from him since he last appeared to speak at my aunt's funeral, more than a decade ago. We may never know what happened to him, but regardless of his fate, I'm sure he's been rewarded for his amazing feats.