God's Favorite: A NovelIn this fascinating work of historical fiction, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright captures all the gripping drama and black humor of Panama during the final, nerve-racking days of its legendary dictator, Manuel Antonio Noriega. It is Christmas 1989, and Tony Noriega's demons are finally beginning to catch up with him. A former friend of President Bush, Fidel Castro, and Oliver North, this universally reviled strongman is on the run from the U.S. Congress, the Justice Department, the Colombian mob, and a host of political rivals. In his desperation, he seeks salvation from any and all quarters -- God, Satan, a voodoo priest, even the spirits of his murdered enemies. But with a million-dollar price on his head and 20,000 American soldiers on his trail, Noriega is fast running out of options. Drawn from a historical record more dramatic than even the most artful spy novel, God's Favorite is a riveting and darkly comic fictional account of the events that occurred in Panama from 1985 to the dictator's capture in 1989. With an award-winning journalist's eye for detail, Lawrence Wright leads the reader toward a dramatic face-off in the Vatican embassy, where Noriega confronts his psychological match in the papal nuncio. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Americans Barletta began believe canal Carmen César Chorrillo Church Colombians Comandancia Contreras coup cried Delvalle Demos Digbats door Escobar eyes face Father Jorge feel Felicidad felt Fidel Fort Amador Fort Clayton friends fucking Gilbert Giroldi Gloria going gringos hair hand head hear helicopter Honeycutt Hugo Hugo Spadafora Hugo's Jorge's kill knew laughed Lucho Manuel Antonio Noriega Manuelito military Monseñor Nachman never Nicky nunciature Nuncio Okay Omar Torrijos opened Pablo Escobar Panama Panama Defense Forces Panamanian Perhaps political president priest realized Roberto Roberto Díaz Herrera Rollins Santería Scar Señora Morales Sister Sarita soldiers sound Spadafora stared stood street supposed sure talk tell there's thing Tony asked Tony looked Tony Noriega Tony thought Tony's took Torrijos trying turned Vatican voice waiting walked watched weapon window woman Yaviza young