Faith Among Shadows

By Malcolm Leal

Book Overview

Florencia Martinez Hernandez always taught her grandson to rely on her God for everything, and that the true gospel of Jesus Christ was indeed on the earththey just hadnt found it yet. While on special assignment with the Cuban Special Forces, Malcolm receives a blow from a sniper rifle that almost ends his life. It is in this moment of darkness that Malcolm calls upon this God in faith, thus beginning his miraculous journey in search of truth, and his eventual discovery of and conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1599552264
• ISBN13: 9781599552262
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Cfi
• Length: 322 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Great read

When I heard about this book I figured it would be an inspirational story about this man's journey to the LDS church... well it is, but it focuses on the journey. It reads like a spy novel, giving account after account of missions with flashes back to his grandmother while he was growing up and wisdom she learned from the Bible. If you are LDS, it might not be for you... he sees some 'crazy brain-washed' Elders through a sniper rifle scope, then you don't hear about the LDS church again until the very end of the book and then it's just a brief mention with a few pages of testimony to end the book. Great read either way!

AMAZING!!!! Couldn't put it down, and didn't!

This is an amazing autobiography by Malcolm Leal, who was born in Communist Cuba during the cold war, raised in a fishing village by a very religious and wise grandmother who instilled in him faith, values, and honor, served in the Cuban Special Forces throughout Central America (against US-backed militias)where he survived numerous battles and events that he shouldn't have, became Cuban Intelligence and was posted in East Berlin and was there when the Berlin Wall came down, defected to the U.S. via a harrowing escape as he was being transferred back to Cuba, and finally settled and accomplished the things, both religious and personal, that had been taught to him by his grandmother as a youth. You may think I just gave away the story, but you would be wrong!!! There is so much to this man's history that you simply must read the book and be amazed. And he will not be the only one to amaze you--I promise!! Read this book if you like edge-of-your-seat adventures, larger-than-life characters (all real!), and miraculous, rags-to-riches, feel-good outcomes! My copy is now making the rounds of my family and co-workers, all of whom have LOVED it so far. READ THIS BOOK!!

A must read...

This book pulled me in and wouldn't let me go. Forget the housework, the hungry kids, the hour at night kind of book. It was warmly written and touched my heart. Thank you to the author for sharing his story with the world.

Incredible, But True.

I would almost suspect this book to be a work of fiction if I didn't know better. This is a captivating story of an extraordinary man and his extraordinary grandmother. It is a story of how the positive teachings and role models of our youth can provide a foundation of faith and understanding that can help us through lifes greatest challenges; Of how wise counsel, born of integrity, intelligence, and a faithful life, can help us overcome the horrors of the world. It is a story of how the Spirit of God can overcome all. This book documents one man's real-life and ongoing adventure, and causes one to wonder if we all are not led through life, from one experience to the next, by a supernatural hand. I enjoyed this book on several levels and had a hard time putting it down. Even though someone of the LDS faith may enjoy this book more than those of other faiths or beliefs, I would heartily recommend this book to anyone.

Excellent Non-fiction Read

I was afraid that this story was going to be depressing and mostly about war stories. NOT SO. Most of the book is not about war experiences, but rather about the author's life and the way his wise grandmother influenced him for good. A terrific opportunity to better understand what life was like in Cuba at the time (don't think it's changed much since then), and gain an appreciation for those who can be faithful to correct principles as his grandmother was in spite of great difficulty. I liked this so much that I purchased copies for each of our five adult children and their families!