Garcia demonstrates, through a personal and highly revealing work, how religious affiliation and belief can sustain an individual in trying social (including political) and personal circumstances. . . . .All of these situations Garcia details beautifully and extensively in his work and documents how his Mormon faith served as a bulwark against all manner of depravations and temptations. . . .In summary, I highly recommend this excellent and revealing book to individuals who are interested in Mormon biography and autobiography as well as the broad and expanding topic of Latino/Chicano biography/history. Readers will find much validation of their faith (Mormon or others) within the pages of Chicano While Mormon. . . .As Dr. Garcia notes, his worldview came into focus when ‘I remembered that life was about developing character, being tested by fire, and forgiving,’ and that is the true message presented in his life and careers, as well as in this inspiring autobiography.

BYU Studies Quarterly

Written as memoir, García's life provides readers with a fascinating experience that joins religion with civic participation, Chicano identity with surviving Vietnam, racism with reconciliation. García's book is especially poignant for Mormon Studies audiences whose vision of Mormon history must begin to include these complex and increasingly diverse voices.... García's life stories are a treasure for both Chicano and Mormon Studies scholars who are interested in engaging how someone negotiates both worlds seamlessly. Chicano While Mormon would make an excellent addition to those interested in Chicano History, Religious Studies, Ethnic Studies, Mormon Studies and Military History. It effortlessly brings the reader into a world unknown to many and might just enliven a hunger for history, stories, narrative, and lifeways that are sure to reach across various interests .

Journal of Mormon History

Chicano While Mormon will help many readers understand the intersectional nature of American ethnic and religious identities, and Garcia is to be applauded for sharing this necessarily complicated story. Garcia’s book is a welcome addition to the emergent literature by Latinos outside traditional religious (read Roman Catholic, Evangelical, Pentecostal) affiliations.

Mormon Studies Review

To some, the identities of Chicano and Mormon may seem contradictory or oxymoronic. . . .[Yet] in this deeply personal narrative, Dr. Garcia addresses the tension of navigating two seemingly contradictory social groups while growing up in a segregated barrio, fighting for America abroad, and organizing for la raza at home.

New Books Network

A unique, powerful, and inspiring memoir on the complexities of becoming a Chicano Mormon by one of the accomplished historians of his generation.

Mario T. García, University of California, Santa Barbara, author of Mexican Americans: Leadership, Ideology & Identity, 1930-1960

Think you know what it means to be Mormon? In this tough, tender memoir, Ignacio García reminds us that Mormon barrio girls with hair teased high, walkouts, grape boycotts, urban congregations run by tough-minded working-class women, soulful contemplations in the Vietnam barracks—these too belong to the modern LDS experience. His story reminds us that the Mormon faith can fuel a hunger for social justice, and that the Mormon people have a great deal to learn by turning the time over to our brothers and sisters of color. Thank you for the wisdom, Brother García. Adelante, and amen.

Joanna Brooks, author, The Book of Mormon Girl