Torn from the World: A Guerrilla's Escape from a Secret Prison in Mexico

The story of Andrés Tzompaxtle Tecpile will be familiar to those who study Latin American history—an indigenous man kidnapped by government soldiers and tortured for months. A member of the insurgent group called EPR (Popular Revolutionary Army), his nom de guerre is "Rafael." Though it sounds like something from the distant past, Rafael was abducted in 1996. Journalist and author Gibler (Mexico Unconquered: Chronicles of Power and Revolt) interviewed Tecpile, who is still living in Mexico following his escape. Gibler also includes historical and political context to help illustrate how Mexican society has evolved into one of violent resistance and conflict. The firsthand account given by Tecpile is at times difficult to read because of the abuse he experienced, but it is an important story that needs to be told.