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.
Click the image to view on Amazon.comIt 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
18 global ratings
Last Updated: 10.27.26
Customers say
Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book to be a great read with an engrossing story. They appreciate its inspirational content, with one customer noting how it provides a truer sense of compassion.
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Top reviews from the United States
JAY TANJUAN
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2026
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One of the best books of the year was not written by a famous author or well known celebrity. One of the best books of not the best was written by Jerry LoCoco.
Jerry and I have tried to do business together and through this experience I've grown to like and respect him. He's a great industrial broker and I can call him a friend. What I didn't know was the incredible story behind the man.
I bought Gringo Salado to support Jerry. However I didn't expect to be blown away at Jerry's life story. Based on my interactions with Jerry I thought he was a real genuine and honest guy that I enjoyed working with on stuff. I couldn't believe the environment Jerry grew up in and the obstacles he faced as a child. Many people would understand if someone raised in those circumstances followed the same path of addiction and brokenness that surrounded them. Instead, Jerry chose a different path.
Against all odds, he graduated from college, earned a law degree, built a successful career as an industrial real estate broker, and, most importantly, found faith in Christ, built a loving family, and made his family the center of his life. …
Jerry and I have tried to do business together and through this experience I've grown to like and respect him. He's a great industrial broker and I can call him a friend. What I didn't know was the incredible story behind the man.
I bought Gringo Salado to support Jerry. However I didn't expect to be blown away at Jerry's life story. Based on my interactions with Jerry I thought he was a real genuine and honest guy that I enjoyed working with on stuff. I couldn't believe the environment Jerry grew up in and the obstacles he faced as a child. Many people would understand if someone raised in those circumstances followed the same path of addiction and brokenness that surrounded them. Instead, Jerry chose a different path.
Against all odds, he graduated from college, earned a law degree, built a successful career as an industrial real estate broker, and, most importantly, found faith in Christ, built a loving family, and made his family the center of his life. …
Valley Rancher
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.
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.
David Carman
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.
Brad Harrison
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2026
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much respect for the bravery to be honest and authentic about a difficult and heartbreaking upbringing. really appreciated his faith in God to guide him to keep going . to never give up. it's real when you have a foundation you believe in no matter how many setbacks.
B. Mozelle
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2026
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What a beautiful narrative through a book, worth the wait, as I would ask the author for the last few years about his progress, though read sporadically, what I read the days I read it, allowed me to capture a lesson, a sentiment, a feeling and last night, as I finished it, tied it all together. Grateful for the sharing his lessons, and equally grateful they allowed me time to reflect on my own 🙏
Steve and Katherine
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.
Amazon Customer
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
Christine Nagle
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.
Amazon Customer
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.
Mike Specht
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!
Megan
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2026
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Amazing story & a great read, highly recommend!
Top reviews from other countries
KiwiReader
Reviewed in Canada on October 7, 2026
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A lot of people don't know this, but poverty is colorblind.
I remember my parents pointing out that parents choose to have kids, but kids don't choose to be had. And when parents take no responsibility for their children, it's tragic.
Jerry showed that it doesn't have to turn into a tragedy.
For context, I know a lot of people had it worse than me, but still I'm not a huge fan of talking about my past. But a great book, and a well told story often changes how you think about your life. This is one of those books, and Jerry's is one of those stories.
Trouble in your childhood makes some people clam up, and it makes other people outspoken.
There's probably a better balance of the two, but first you have to heal.
To heal, I think you need to find some sort of purpose.
This is a story of someone who had every reason to run from where they grew up, but his purpose brought him back. You could easily call it divine intervention, but it could just as easily be that when you find a place that is left behind except when the property tax bills arrive, your heart just screams... Do. Something.
Don't just walk away from people who can't or won't help themselves. Actions have consequences, and people who live in comfort choose comfort over discomfort, and the people who are ignored pay the price.
You'd probably expect the person who was beat up and the target of racial slurs would be the first to leave, but sometimes, hopefully, they're the ones who actually do something about it.
I remember my parents pointing out that parents choose to have kids, but kids don't choose to be had. And when parents take no responsibility for their children, it's tragic.
Jerry showed that it doesn't have to turn into a tragedy.
For context, I know a lot of people had it worse than me, but still I'm not a huge fan of talking about my past. But a great book, and a well told story often changes how you think about your life. This is one of those books, and Jerry's is one of those stories.
Trouble in your childhood makes some people clam up, and it makes other people outspoken.
There's probably a better balance of the two, but first you have to heal.
To heal, I think you need to find some sort of purpose.
This is a story of someone who had every reason to run from where they grew up, but his purpose brought him back. You could easily call it divine intervention, but it could just as easily be that when you find a place that is left behind except when the property tax bills arrive, your heart just screams... Do. Something.
Don't just walk away from people who can't or won't help themselves. Actions have consequences, and people who live in comfort choose comfort over discomfort, and the people who are ignored pay the price.
You'd probably expect the person who was beat up and the target of racial slurs would be the first to leave, but sometimes, hopefully, they're the ones who actually do something about it.
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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