William F. Jaenike is a graduate of Manhattan College with a master s from Pace University. He retired as CEO and chairman of The Depository Trust Company and is an amateur historian with a passion for telling the story of the Guarani Republic in Paraguay

Prologue 11

Foreword 21

Who Were These Jesuits? 40

The Jesuit reductions in Paraquaria were probably the most successful missionary enterprise in history, a fact still very present in the region. However, this success contributed to the downfall of the founders, and for the general reader this book impressively tells that story, little known to the English-speaking world. --W. Michael Mathes, Professor Emeritus, University of San Francisco; El Colegio de Jalisco

This sweeping story of a barely known slice of history, solidly placed in the context of world events of the times, is well-researched and entertaining replete with colorful background events involving missionaries struggling with cannibals, slavers, man-eating jaguars, fire-ants, plagues and the machinations of monarchs, politicians and prelates. I learned a lot the primary purpose of good history. --Kenneth Veit, former President of Aetna International, Inc. and current chairman of the Phoenix Arizona History Book Club

This remarkable story of the 17th and 18th century Jesuit missions in Paraguay is set in the midst of the religious rivalries between the cross and the crown in distant Europe. A great read for all Christians and others of good will. --William T. Dentzer, Jr., Former Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.