God's Middle Finger

Into the Lawless Heart of the Sierra Madre

By: Richard Grant

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Twenty miles south of the Arizona-Mexico border, the rugged, beautiful Sierra Madre mountains begin their dramatic ascent. Almost 900 miles long, the range climbs to nearly 11,000 feet and boasts several canyons deeper than the Grand Canyon. The rules of law and society have never taken hold in the Sierra Madre, which is home to bandits, drug smugglers, cave-dwelling Tarahumara Indians, opium farmers, and other assorted outcasts. Outsiders are not welcome; drugs are the primary source of income; murder is all but a regional pastime.

Fifteen years ago, journalist Richard Grant developed what he calls "an unfortunate fascination" with this lawless place. Locals warned that he would meet his death there, but he didn't believe them - until his last trip. During his travels Grant visited a folk healer for his insomnia and was prescribed rattlesnake pills, attended bizarre religious rituals, consorted with cocaine-snorting policemen, and dug for buried treasure. On his last visit, his reckless adventure spiraled into his own personal heart of darkness when cocaine-fueled Mexican hillbillies hunted him through the woods all night, bent on killing him for sport. With gorgeous detail, fascinating insight, and an undercurrent of dark humor, God's Middle Finger brings to vivid life a truly unique and uncharted world.

©2008 Richard Grant (P)2018 Tantor

Unreal

Living in south TX my whole life, I’ve heard crazy stories and folklore of the Mexican culture…but this takes it to a whole new level. Author is a great storyteller, fun read!

A peak inside a forbidden world

My parents have lived on or near the US border with Mexico for much of their lives. When I visit them or fly to some destination in Mexico I see the Sierra Madres only from a long distance. My mother and I were near Big Bend in Texas once, crossing over to Lajitas and asked a middle-aged American "cowboy" about the SM Orientals off in the distance. He said he would take us there if we wanted him to, but not go alone....no to worry. They look foreboding and countless stories suggest that they are. Richard Grant's story does nothing to dispell what I have come to believe (rightly or wrongly). It was interesting, enlightening, colorful and frightening sometimes. I loved listening to it except for the narrator's Spanish pronunciation. Sounded like Russian. I think the story is timeless except for a few silly interjections of political POV. Great story! Definitely worth a listen or read!

Exotic

Rare look into Northern Mexico, be glad he went and took the risk so you don’t have too!

great book lots of experience

crazy story and exploration into Mexico. the people and journey is crazy. almost doesn't seem real. good story telling and vivid imagery.

certainly explains the cultural gap from US

an exceptional look into a culture of government failure, twisted and distorted legal system that abuses the poor and indigenous people.