No Spoiler Book Review – Autobiography – The Motorcycle Diaries, Ernesto Che Guevara
Title: The Motorcycle Diaries, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara
Author: Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara
Translation: Alexandra Keeble
Copyright: Che Guevara Studies Center & Aleida March
Audio Book:
Blurb: In January 1952, two young men from Buenos Aires set out to explore South America on a 500cc Norton. One of them was the twenty-three-year-old Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara.
Written eight years before the Cuban Revolution, these are the diaries of Che Guevara, full of disasters and discoveries, high drama and laddish improvisations. Touring through Argentina, Chile, Peru and Venezuela, his greatest concerns are where the next drink is coming from, where the next bed is to be found and who might be around to share it.
Within a decade Che Guevara would be a household name. His trip might have been the adventure of a lifetime – had his lifetime not turned into a much greater adventure.
More recently made into an Oscar-winning film starring Gael Garcia Bernal, ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ is an extraordinary account of a hero in the making.
Characters:
Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara – now admittedly I didn’t know much about this icon, apart from recognise his image and a vague knowledge of the US not liking him very much. Wow, was I surprised.
He was a great footballer, a doctor, humanitarian and beautiful looking. No doubt a misogynist but it was South America in the 1950s so I’ll forgive him that. You will learn so much about this iconic figure from 20th century history I don’t want to spoil it for you, but wow it’s worth the read.
Conclusion: A great educational, optimistic, funny autobiographical travel book and rights of passage work. It’s short and very readable with short chapters. I have no doubt now why this man was so attractive and successful as a leader.
Recommended books: Definitely! A real eye opener. These are the type of books they should hand out in schools for history education. Whether you agree or not with his politics, this is a real story that tells us so much about the times, the place and of course one of the most famous faces on the 20th century.
You may also like:
Handy Shopping Links
(If you use my links to go to pages such as Amazon, to book your holidays, or investigate software options I earn a small commission. You’re supporting my work, enabling me to continue writing and keep this website and content free to you, thank you!)
I hope I’ve inspired you to read, tweet me from your next coffee stop! If you are busy out and about and you’d like my posts to your email inbox directly, please sign up for the newsletter.