Book Review: Tried by Fire by Anna Lee Stangl

The subtitle of this book is “Testimonies of Courage and Hope from Peru’s Christians Prisoners.” It’s a short book with seven stories about Christian individuals who were unjustly imprisoned by the Peruvian government, who was fighting against the Shining Path guerrillas in the 80s and 90s. The individuals share candidly about what they experienced in the prisons, how their faith kept them going and was strengthened by the ordeal, and how God provided for them in so many ways even as they were imprisoned. It’s not as graphic as I thought it would be, but it definitely does not skirt around the reality of unjust violence, torture, and brutality on the part of the government. I learned more about the Shining Path and situation in Peru than I had previously known, and obviously from a little different perspective than many historical articles might give. I also found it interesting and encouraging to read of individuals who faith was strengthened under such great trial, and man, it makes never want to complain about anything. Ever again.