The Border Healer: My Life as a Curandero Hardcover – October 26, 2011

I loved this book. It was almost like sitting at the author's side while he told his tales of life as a cuandero, what his childhood was like, and his cultural surroundings. The detialed, personable dialogue was very tinged with common language of the Rio Grande Valley, or shoud i day, one could 'feel' his accented English; absoloutly charming. Valuable information and folklore fill the pages of this little book and it is a true treasure.I gave it 4 stars because I found part of the paragraphs were missing in the E-dowload, and I believe a little more structure and editing could have made this an easier read.Nevertheless, I greatly enjoyed it just the same and thank this author for sharing such a beautiful story. I wish there wer more books like this.The Valley is a most intriguing place full of myth and magic, and the lives of the people there may be financially a hardship, but oh how they are so very rich in the flavors of life, love and family. ...and that's really all that matters.

…at best it’s a hodgepodge of miscellaneous notes randomly thrown together without beginning or end. There’s no rhyme nor reason to bring the reader from a Point A-to-Point B understanding of anything significant. It jumps around without being well written or thought out. Surprisingly there’s next to nothing of note pertaining to Nino Fidencio’s life, ministry and mission – very much needed to set-up the rest of the story. Then there’s nothing about the Boarder Healer’s (Curandero) espiritismo practices and rituals. Meaning, how is trance mediumship induced? Is it “on” all the time or just during certain times? What about descriptions of a Curandero’s public meetings and private services? Who is and what are invoked during different sessions? I could go on… but you get my drift…I think this book needs a glass of water and a candle burned for it (it could sure use the help!)

Very well detailed , provides a lot of necessary information regarding what a curandero is and the profound in-depth of who El Nino Fidencio is all about.