Gringo Salado
A Story of Faith, Hope, and Love

by Jerry A LoCoco (Author), E R (Editor), Mike Marshall (Illustrator)

By the grace of God, I survived.

I had a childhood soaked in alcohol, drugs, and violence. Gringo Salado is a raw, unfiltered story of how generational wounds became the means of healing, purpose and mission. The name "Gringo Salado" was meant to be a cruel taunt-a label meant to wound and destroy. But God redeems the things meant for our destruction and remakes them into the means of our salvation.

Through silence, prayer, reading, writing, and discovering practices of the ancient Catholic Faith, I learned to confront the generational wounds head on-not to avoid them, not to weaponize them in misguided outrage, but to transform them into instruments of healing, which became the means of salvation. This is not another self help book with promises of quick fixes, and hacks, this is the book I wished I had when I was struggling to find my way through the chaos of my birth.

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It is a testimony rooted in the truth of Christ's Cross: Our wounds, when offered to Him, become the path of salvation, strength, and true Charity. Drawing from Scripture, the Saints, and the Deposit of Faith, I show how facing the Chaos within leads to true freedom-and how God turns destruction into divine mission. If you've ever felt broken by your past, labeled by pain, judged as guilty because of where you came from, or wondered how suffering can serve a higher purpose, this book is for you. Discover how Christ will help you to forge your wounds to mission and salvation.




Customer reviews

★★★★★ 4.9 out of 5
13 global ratings

Last Updated: 6.23.26

Customers say

AI Sparkle Badge AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book inspiring, with one noting it's particularly suitable for young adults growing up in poverty. Moreover, the story is full of real-life experiences, and customers appreciate its emotional depth, with one describing it as an engrossing tale about overcoming pain. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its readability, with one customer noting it's especially good for those who grew up in small towns.
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Top reviews from the United States

Avatar Amazon Customer
★★★★★ Heartbreaking and beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2026
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Jerry’s story is compelling and inspiring, even though it was utterly heartbreaking. The unfathomable circumstances that he endured as a child, and the demons that he struggled to overcome as a young man, were gut wrenching. His perspective of living in a small poor rural community was real, and is a reminder how complicated these seemingly simple communities can be. Throughout the memoir, he shares progressive deepening of his faith - and it was beautiful to read.
Avatar Christine Nagle
★★★★★ An Inspirational Page Turner
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2026
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Gringo Salado is a page turner and an engrossing story about overcoming pain and replacing it with love. There are always lessons to learn and lessons to teach with every lifetime and in the end, forgiveness is one of the biggest life lessons of all. And if you can learn to forgive others and yourself, you are blessed. Jerry’s story is an inspiration to all, and you can’t help but cheer Jerry on through his trials and tribulations and to feel grateful if your trials are far less painful. It is a lesson in being human, being authentic, and learning to love those around you and ultimately to love and forgive yourself. You will have a truer sense of compassion after reading this book.
Avatar David Carman
★★★★★ Must Read Book
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2026
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This book is full of real-life stories about working through difficult situations and finding faith and hope along the way. It felt genuine and easy to connect with. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to put it down. Overall, a really inspiring and uplifting read.
Avatar Valley Rancher
★★★★★ A Road Map out of Poverty and Emptiness.
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2026
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This is an excellent story that touch on several themes. To start, the author dives into generational trauma and drug abuse that he witnessed as a child. Next, you have his tale of navigating poverty and negative societal pressures while trying to pull himself out of poverty via hard work and later education. He also witnesses issues in wealthy communities as some wealthy people seek drugs and alcohol as a distraction from their empty, consumer-focused lives. Ultimately, he found that the answers to both problems - the escape from poverty and consumerism - lies in God and faith.

This is an excellent book for people who grew up in small towns, for people wanting to see someone's development in their faith, and for people who need an reminder of how lucky we are to be Americans, as the author overcame a hell of a lot to build a successful life. As they say, only in America. This book is also great for young adults growing up in poverty, as it can be a road map to a way out of it.
Avatar Amazon Customer
★★★★☆ Perseverance
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2026
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Deep personal read. As the title reads, kept the book in my hand from first page to the ending. I would recommend this book as a high school read. Helping people know you can make it through life's hardships. Loved the book. S
Avatar Steve and Katherine
★★★★★ Loved this true story
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2026
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This book grabbed me in the first few pages. The authors writing style is flowing with imagery and emotion coupled with reality. If you like human interest stories about overcoming the odds, I recommend it.
Avatar Mike Specht
★★★★★ Spike
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2026
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I just finished reading Gringo Salado and really enjoyed it. I have a belief that all kids should have a "solid" upbringing that includes love, financial & spiritual support from stable parents. It was intriguing to read how Jerry overcame an extremely rough childhood to become a successful Husband, Father of five, Believer of Christ and Founder of the Causa Sui Foundation. His vision to improve the lived environment, education, mental health and youth in border communities is inspiring, especially given his journey. While it's unrealistic that all children will have a "solid" upbringing, it is comforting to know there are solutions, like Causa Sui Foundation, available to them. Thank you, Jerry, for sharing your story!
Avatar Megan
★★★★★ Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2026
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Amazing story & a great read, highly recommend!





BOOK JERRY AS A SPEAKER:

KEY TOPICS:

  • Taking a tough upbringing and still building a family and positive professional reputation.
  • Alcohol, Drugs, and other adult activities are neither victimless nor harmless.
  • Keeping and developing faith in a world that increasingly rejects wisdom and kindness.
  • Radical vulnerability in the public eye and how trust erosion will shape future professions.
  • Ancient and Classical learning to guide through an increasingly confusing world.
  • How modern problems can be tamed by ancient principles.
  • Does God listen to our prayers? Is a closer relationship possible?
  • Can neglected communities be helped, or does greed truly prevail?
  • God gives you a mission, but you struggle to map the way. What now?

Jerry lives with his family in Arizona, and is available for speaking appearances both in-person and virtually. Feel free to reach out via LinkedIn for next steps.




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