This Love Is Not for Cowards

Salvation and Soccer in Ciudad Juárez

By: Robert Andrew Powell

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

More than 10 people are murdered every day in Ciudad Jurez, a city about the size of Philadelphia. As Mexico has descended into a feudal narco-state - one where cartels, death squads, the army, and local police all fight over billions of dollars in profits from drug and human trafficking - the border city of Jurez has been hit hardest of all. And yet, more than a million people still live there. They even love their impoverished city, proudly repeating its mantra: "Amor por Jurez." Nothing exemplifies the spirit and hope of Juarenses more than the Indios, the city's beloved but hard-luck soccer team. Sport may seem a meager distraction, but to many it's a lifeline. It drew charismatic American midfielder Marco Vidal back from Dallas to achieve the athletic dreams of his Mexican father. Team owner Francisco Ibarra and Mayor Jos Reyes Ferriz both thrive on soccer. So does the dubiously named crew of Indios fans, El Kartel. In this honest, unflinching, and powerful book, Robert Andrew Powell chronicles a season of soccer in this treacherous city just across the Rio Grande, and the moments of pain, longing, and redemption along the way. As he travels across Mexico with the team, Powell reflects on this struggling nation and its watchful neighbor to the north. This story is not just about sports, or even community, but the strength of humanity in a place where chaos reigns.

©2012 Robert Andrew Powell (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Absolutely loved it

If you could sum up This Love Is Not for Cowards in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, Fascinating, Different

Who was your favorite character and why?

Marco Vidal, his tales of being a player were fascinating

What does Fred Sanders bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Sets the scene really well, very smooth and never feels boring

great read, soccer is just the vehical

Where does This Love Is Not for Cowards rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

great book, if you enjoy soccer, and love Mexico, and wonder what it's like down there, this is a great book. Growing up in Texas I've traveled to all parts of Mexico many times, but in the current era of violence it's off limits, and I wonder what day to day life is like. This book gives insight into that.

Really, this love is not for cowards

What did you love best about This Love Is Not for Cowards?

The story captures a life in the crucible of Ciudad Juárez. How does one live in a city so full of homicides? The worries of death give way to joys of not just being a fan of the city’s team, but also joys of knowing the people. This is just not some book giving facts about a violent city as drug cartels fight over turf, but paints a vivid picture of life of people living life.

Loved it

Having lived in Juarez from 1998-1999 and being a soccer fan, I was intrigued to read this. It is well written, well narrated, and oddly enjoyable for how heavy the material is. The author does a great job of intertwining his life, the soccer team, and the goings on of the city. I highly recommend it.

great contextual story

I really enjoyed this book and was at first blown away by the scale of the murders that occur in the city, however like the author I began to feel numb to the stats. Subtlely shocking is a good way to describe it.