Customer Reviews

The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
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An amazing book. It's time for people to stop looking at Che Guevara like a murderer and start looking at him as a soldier--he had an idea to benefit humanity, and unfortunately he had to physically fight (by means of guerrilla warfare) to get his message across. In a totalitarian-capitalist country, you can't simply just write an essay to get your message across, you have to make your movement physical so all will be aware of what you're fighting for. This book describes a change in life, and is recommended for everyone.

this is one of the best things i have ever read. it's che guevara as a human being, a young man, before he became a political figure and a romaticised icon. no, it's not a marxist book per se, it's not even very political. but it's not supposed to be 'das kapital' -- it's che's journals, his thoughts, feelings, observations on his journey through south america at 23 and the adventures, people, and day-to-day hardships he and his friend alberto faced. though it does show how his political views were developed, i don't even think that's the most important thing. the really great thing about this book is that it lets the reader into che's mind -- and heart -- not only as a revolutionary but as a human being. ten million stars.

Che's Motorcycle Diaries is a non-politicized odyssey around South America, full of comical high jinks and adventure. The 23 year old, pre-revolutionary Che is a talented travel writer with an abundance of humor and an observant eye for the human condition. The Motorcycle Diaries reflects intimate insight of the young man who would one day become a legend.

Praise needs to go to Ann Wright, the translator, who maintained the integrity of the Diaries.

journal of a road trip. Wonderful descriptions of the places and people visited in South America, as well as a little bit of history of goings on during that time. Definite glimpses of Che's first realizations about poverty and its injustices, which led to his later quest for which he is famous. Writing is charming, warm and comical at times.

Felix Rodriguez, an anti-Castro Cuban who was sent to assasinate Che, said he was a fascinating man he wanted to know better and felt sad at having to hunt him. He protested at Che's execution.

With that insight, I eagerly read The Motorcycle Diaries. They are very well written, amazingly entertaining, witty and occasionally insightful and the translation is not only excellent, but well-referenced where terms are transliterated.

Personally, I wound up detesting the little troll. He and his friend masqueraded as experts on leprosy, which they milked for guest space and food. They stole liquor, whined about hospitality until they got even better fare and generally were locusts on the local economy. Che complains mightily about bureaucracy and control that keeps him from his wants (The lack of border stops some places, which made it harder to cadge rides from passing trucks), yet makes a point of mentioning his illegally carried revolver and knife that he smuggled through other border checkpoints (and heck, who wouldn't, when traveling like that?). In other words, "If I want it, it's good government. If I don't, it's bad." The true moral dishonesty of the Latin communist comes through.

And yet...he was honest enough to preface the book with a note that it represented only a momentary view of his life at that time and place. He didn't edit out any of the bad. The contrast and complexity is fascinating, and I'll have to find more to read about a no doubt highly intelligent man.

Love him or hate him, the book is honest in its documentation and pulls no punches. It's a great period piece, a great low-budget travelog, and a journal of a young, brilliantly stupid college punk like lots of us were. I can't recommend it highly enough. If you want to understand the Latin communists or Che, you must read this.

It is a beautiful thing to see the political awakening of a young man. And it becomes even more notorious when we know that this man will be a true revolutionary years later.

'The Motorcycle Diaries' is the account of a journey made by Ernesto 'Che' Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado throughout South America in early 1950's. Beginning as a pair of youngsters' journey, this trip become more a self-discovering journey having as background the impoverished and exploited, but above all, not well known America.

As most young people, Che and Granado had late-adolescent angst and trying to find a relief they went in a journey in the heart of South America, trying to find what was beyond their middle-class homes. What they find out was much more than what they were expecting to: poor people, with almost no conditions of living, consumed by diseases and being exploited and ignored by the government and the system.

It is a joy to see Che transforming from almost a brat into a real man of value, fulfilled with social and political conscience, caring for the poor and sick people. At first, he and his friends are only two guys who want to be on the road and learn about the world. But little did they know how was this world they were about to learn about.

Nearly the end, Che is another completely different person. He, now, has social and political thoughts --almost Marxist ideas -- about the world we live in and how South America has been systematically exploited throughout the years.

Sometimes painfully funny, sometimes extremely sad 'The Motorcycle Diaries' is a pleasant read, written with heart and soul, by someone who was destined to be big, a person who was destined to change and touch the lives of thousands --as Che did indeed.

In October I went to Cuba and began to learn a tremendous amount about Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Just before reading this book I read two other by him, Reminiscences of a Cuban Revolution and The Che Guevara Reader. If you want to know the man before the revolution, this is the book to read. It is a very interesting book. It is details his trip from his home in Argentina around much of South America. It reads at times like a travel guide which is what I suppose people would write in their travel diaries - what they see and what they thought. My favorite parts were when Guevara told what he thought of life and his experiences while on the road. He writes of the low opinion many people have of the indigenous populations, the exploitation of the land and the populace and the suffering he and his traveling companion endured. The are also very light moments of frivolity and fun. You truly get a sense of who he is and what he values. I was left wanting more, not for want of lack of description but because I wanted to know of who he was. He was a remarkable figure and an great writer. He paints quite a picture with his words.

Excellent source of informtaion. A great story about Ernesto "Che" Guevara's travels through South America. This being my first reading on the individual, I was very impressed. Weather your interest in "Che" is personal or political, this is an excellent peace of work. Quick reading, leaves you wanting to read more on the subject.

Click on the image of a young Che sitting in a pensive , relaxed posture as though he is daydreaming. The picture will reveal an image in your mind quite different from the familiar bearded face many have come to associate with Che. The youth and gaze in his eyes is reflective of the book in it's first hand portrayal of a young idealist. The roots of Che's radicalism, that evolved into his believing in Communism and fighting alongside Castro, in Cuba, began with what he saw on a trip he took through South America. His observations on the differences in social classes within various towns shows his astute vision and concern that eventually turned into action.The epic journey Che undetook with his friend is full of anecdotes, frolicking, humor and some keen observations. Setting out from Buenos Aires, Argentina with his best friend, Alberto Granadas, the two start out on a motorcycle along the Atlantic eventually arriving in Caracas , Venezuela. Prior to their departure the first-hand account talks about cutting ties and the lives they left behind . The narrative account makes for a small book that can be read in one sitting or so. In the small time invested an interesting portrait and adventure awaits the reader. The intimacy of the book is life taking the trip side saddle within Che's mind. Incidently, this book is being transformed for the big screen. The production for a soon to be released movie, directed by Brazilian Walter Salles, with young, Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal("Y Tu MamaTambien" & 'Amores Perros") taking the lead role of Che. The book is entertaining and worthwhile for those interested in history and those that have shaped history.

If you are looking for a book dealing with Che's political views look elsewhere. However, if you want to read about Che in his formative years when his ideas were still taking shape then this is the book. Not much happens just some amusing anecdotes and a trip to the leper colony but after reading this you will view Ernesto Che Guevara in a whole new light