THE SHOT CALLER, by Casey Diaz with MIke Yorkey

This is a memoir about one man's experience and his ultimate redemption. Nicky Cruz writes the Forward for this book. Casey, the author, writes a short note. Casey spreads his actual content throughout 16 chapters. Casey includes a section which lists Bible verses that speak to him personally. He follows this with Acknowledgements. This is followed by bios of Casey and Mike Yorkey, his "ghost writer." Finally, Casey ends all this with an invitation to have him speak at events, and information about how to book him at these events. Casey Diaz was born in El Salvador and is the son of immigrant parents. He is a former gang member. Now he owns his own company and teaches at his local church. He shares his story all over the United States. Mike Yorkey is a the author, co-author, editor, or collaborator of one hundred books.

We are dealing with the issue of immigration. This book brings that issue to mind for me, though the trust of this book is not on any issue but on the author's life experience. I found the book exciting, inspiring and challenging. I felt badly about the author's childhood experiences, his lack of a father figure and the hellish abuse he and his other experienced. The author, a son of immigrants, is a former leader of a stereotyped MS-13 gang. I was happy for the author, as he experience a miraculous conversion to Christ in prison. Following that, his Christian life reads like the modern book of Acts. I find myself wishing that God would reveal Himself like this to more people. But I know better. While the author was able to lead multiple gang members to Christ, it seems that his father never came to know Christ. Sadly, the author is unclear if either his mom or dad came to know Jesus. And it's also unclear if the author came to experience a close relationship with his mother, let alone his father. Sadly, though the author may not intend it to do so, this book plays into the "far right" narrative that immigrants are typically violent thugs.

I recommend this book for any prison inmate. It should be in every prison library. Though racism is not the focus of this book, I recommend this book for all pastors, church leaders, and Christians who want to confront the issue of racism and the church.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review of this book. I was not required to give this book a positive review.