- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Whitehorse Press; illustrated edition edition (September 2001)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1884313280
- ISBN-13: 978-1884313288
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 17 x 1.7 cm
- Shipping Weight: 295 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,535,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Product Description
Spinning out the steady rhythm of the yellow line in his wake, author Notch Miyake sets out to experience the United States from the seat of his BMW GS. In intimate contact with his environment, Miyake relates his experience of contemporary America in lyrical prose, narration, and in dialogue with the people he meets. His perceptions become sharpened by lonely miles, a naturally keen eye for detail, and the splendour of the land he uncovers. Those of us who ride beyond our comfortable, safe, and familiar surroundings will nod in recognition at Miyake's narration of the many scenes familiar to solo motorcycle travel. Miyake's ride becomes an exploration of America and its people that is adventurous in its scope.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Purple Mountains,
By A Customer
This review is from: Purple Mountains: America from a Motorcycle (Paperback)
This well-crafted, literate, and beautifully edited work is a personal story that, viewed broadly, is a deeply patriotic celebration of America. No flag-waving or speeches. Just the opportunity to pursue a big dream...of a man on a motorcycle, across the United States. Massive expanse, individualism, and freedom: the combination is uniquely American. Those who need help planning and cannot think for themselves should look elsewhere. What differentiates and distinguishes this excellent work are reunions, reflections and the use of color. The reunions with family and friends often meld with the reflections (thanks to the discipline of daily journal entries), yielding the opportunity to reveal his American experience along with his Japanese roots in Hawaii (where the dream started). What could be more Japanese-American than the image of a teenage boy of Japanese parents flying low around Hawaii on a motorcycle? Bikers always feel more alive on their machines, and being alive, as C.S. Lewis puts it, we have "the privilege of always moving, yet never leaving anything behind. Whatever we have been, in some sort we are still." And he is a brave man. Mr. Miyake does not dwell on his (meritorious) Naval service in Viet Nam, but merely uses it modestly to amplify the relationship he has with those fellow vets he will visit. All this folds up neatly into a well-made origami of an American eagle, perhaps a symbol of who he is...a best-blend of Japanese and American culture and values, strong accent on American.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Who published this guy??!!,
By Robert Day (Jersey City, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Purple Mountains: America from a Motorcycle (Paperback)
I bought this book while planning my own bike trip across Canada. Bases on the previous review, I was sure it would be great. I was very disapointed. I don't mind persevering through uninspired writing if I am getting good information, but this book has none. Half way through I just couldn't take another page and had to put the book down. I am reading now, the other book I ordered, "Odyssey to Ushuaia" and it is great! Order this one, not "Purple Mountains".
5.0 out of 5 stars
No Mints on the Pillow for this Motorcycle Rider,
By
This review is from: Purple Mountains: America from a Motorcycle (Paperback)
After reading "Purple Mountains", I began planning my first long trip on a motorcycle. Up to now, I've restricted my riding to a one-day journey.This author grew up in Hawaii - where long motorcycle trips are close to impossible. But through his eyes you will see the richness of the land and people of America like you have never seen them before. Author Notch Miyake describes his three month solo journey around our country. But it is not a travelogue. Instead, Notch uses all five senses to help you feel how riding a motorcycle around our country (not our cities) can bring depth to a person's life. Four things the author avoided: cities, expressways, hotels, and fast-food. Rather, he took the crooked road - the less traveled road - to experience America like few others have. Campgrounds and mom-and-pop restaurants are the background for most of his people encounters. This way, he was able to exchange stories with local people - some motorcycle riders - but mainly people who wished they could break out - and be a touring rider. After reading Notch's revealing book, you will want to escape from the "Disney World Trail", and other top tourist destinations, and see the breadth and depth of America's people and the beauty of their land.
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