Dysentery, drunken soldiers, and corrupt officials provide the background for Neil Peart's physical and spiritual cycling journey through West Africa. The prolific drummer for the rock band Rush travels through African villages, both large and small, and relates his story through photographs, journal entries, and tales of adventure, while simultaneously addressing issues such as differences in culture, psychology, and labels. Literary and artistic sidekicks such as Aristotle, Dante, and Van Gogh join Peart and his cycling companions, reminding the reader that this is not just another travel book—it is a story of both external and introspective discovery and adventure.
The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa
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Neil Peart cycles his way through West Africa and brings us along with him, dysentery and all. The Masked Rider details his physical and spiritual journey, through photographs, journal entries, and tales of adventure. Peart's "masks" are the masks that we wear--culture, psychology, labels, expectations--and his book reveals how traveling in a very foreign land allows us to peer behind them.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From the Back Cover
"Cycling is a good way to travel anywhere, but especially in Africa. You are independent and mobile, and yet travel at people speed--fast enough to travel on to another town in the cooler morning hours, but slow enough to meet people: the old farmer at the roadside who raises his hand and says, 'You are welcome,' the tireless women who offer a smile to a passing cyclist, the children whose laughter transcends the humblest home."
So begins the text of Neil Peart's extraordinary journal about riding a bicycle on the roads and off the beaten track in West Africa. The Masked Rider is about the bike trek and the people who travel along with the author, including literary sidekicks Aristotle and Vincent Van Gogh. Sometimes it's a story of a tour of hell--Dante on a bicycle--as he suffered the pains of dysentery and stares down the muzzle of a drunk soldier's machine gun. Other times it's a journey of exalted discovery and African adventure of the highest calibre.
Neil Peart is the drummer and lyricist of the rock band Rush. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback
a superbly written account of an insightful man's journey through Africa. For such an astounding musician to also be an adept writer is almost mind-boggling (and jealousy-inducing!). Some have argued that the author comes across as arrogant or condescending. I felt that any movements in that direction were nicely tempered by insightful self-reflections and assessments. That being said, I would certainly hate to be "Elsa" who comes across as old, lazy and whining - which perhaps she was - but the author sees fit to mention this at almost every turn. Maybe he's just being honest, but at times I did feel that this brilliant Canadian was dabbling in a tad too much hubris (directed at Americans and Africans).
Any complaints about this marvelous work are easily offset by an engaging, highly intelligent, but readable account, of exploring Africa by bike. Not to mention a keen sense of humor, informed by a breadth of knowledge way beyond most "rockers." We all knew that Peart could write great rock songs; but in this work he really pushes the envelope and succeeds at a literary travelogue that can hold its own against any other.
I would have liked to have seen him participating in drum rituals or sessions with African drummers. That would have added so much to the text, but perhaps he wanted to avoid that and simply write as any other journeyer. Despite his marked cynicism, which one would expect from such a great mind, a real sense of humanity shines through. He gives life to those he encounters with all their frailties, but also strengths and charms.
All-in-all this is a lively, vivid and enriching journey that is worth every drop of ink on the pages.
Very, very entertaining.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By K. Churchill
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Not only is Neil Peart an awesome drummer, he is also an awesome writer. His writing style makes you feel as if you were there with him. It was hard to put it down once I started reading. I highly recommend this book.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Don Gunn
Format:Paperback
I stumbled onto this book and had no idea about Peart's books or other job/personla history. Immediately I noticed that he has a great writing stlye, very much like the way any cyclinst ponders life as they slug away on the cranks weherever their travels find them.
I was a bit surprised at the focus of the personalities of the group, I expected more on Africa itself, but I can't say it was a totally unpleasant turn.
Great book, definately didn't convince me to pack up my roadbike and spend a month in africa though, but reading the book was a good trip.
The presentation and layout was really impressive, the book was a pleasure to go through, hard to put down really. Peart's style is pretty great, I'll check out another one some time I bet.
So if you dig on cycling trips, and stories check it out, or if you're a super nuts Rush fan, you might dig it.
I was a bit surprised at the focus of the personalities of the group, I expected more on Africa itself, but I can't say it was a totally unpleasant turn.
Great book, definately didn't convince me to pack up my roadbike and spend a month in africa though, but reading the book was a good trip.
The presentation and layout was really impressive, the book was a pleasure to go through, hard to put down really. Peart's style is pretty great, I'll check out another one some time I bet.
So if you dig on cycling trips, and stories check it out, or if you're a super nuts Rush fan, you might dig it.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book minor complaint
I read The Masked Rider after Ghost Rider. That was one of the reasons why I read this one as he caught my interest by the great details of every point on his trip. Read more
Published on Jun 21 2004 by P. Wentworth
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Engaging Travelogue On Two Wheels
Neil Peart's first book, The Masked Rider, gives life to the full reality of travelling on two wheels. Read more
Published on July 30 2003 by ron P. swegman
5.0 out of 5 stars
plesantly surprised!
I have been a Rush fan for many years, and as a drummer, a Neil Peart fan for many years. For those who actually READ Neil's lyrics, you know that he is an intelligent,... Read more
Published on May 6 2003 by John Sankey
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's the Peart that makes it good!
I've never read a travelogue before, and doubt I will again. Nevertheless, I had to buy Neil Peart's book, since it was Neil Peart, after all. Read more
Published on Mar 2 2003 by Arthem
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pre "Ghost Rider"
I actually read Masked Rider AFTER I read Neil's second book, "Ghost Rider." I found Masked Rider to be particularly entertaining. Read more
Published on Dec 4 2002 by T. Law
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating travelogue with interesting insights
As a longtime Rush fan, musician, writer, traveler and fledgling cyclist, I was interested in reading Neal Peart's first published novel. Read more
Published on Nov 12 2002 by Jack Fitzgerald
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Mask
Just finished this book. Very insightful and interesting. Neil is a very good, colorful writer. While reading, easy to imagine what they all went through. Read more
Published on Oct 10 2002 by Patricia A. Meade
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thanks
When ever the question was asked wich "celebrity" would you want to meet the answer came down to 4 people, Freddy Mercury, Peter Sellers, Frans Lanting (nature... Read more
Published on Sep 24 2002 by A. J. Vondeling
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful like Neil (also, his other book is available)
This book is required reading for Rush fans. This is a must read for anyone with a desire to understand other cultures from the uniqe perspective of a cyclist. Read more
Published on July 28 2002 by S. YOUNG
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining and informative!
I am extremely pleased with Neil Peart's writing abilities. He has always impressed me with his drums and the lyrics he writes, but I had no idea his talent went beyond that! Read more
Published on July 17 2002 by Sheila Foster
Listmania!
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