Intrepid journalist Patrick Symmes sets off on his BMW R80 G/S in search of the people and places in Ernesto "Che" Guevara's classic M...
read full description
reviews
Jul 24, 2011
Strey
rated it: 
I read this after 
to try & put some 'flesh on the bones' & historical context. What I got was this & a lot more besides. A good mix of history, reportage & personal observation/experience. I would suggest that the "Diaries" be read with this book, but that this book can be read on it's own merit as a very good travel biography with a challenge & a purpose all of its own - and a fine read to boot, where you feel involved in the author's own quest & achievements against the odds - rathe
More...
to try & put some 'flesh on the bones' & historical context. What I got was this & a lot more besides. A good mix of history, reportage & personal observation/experience. I would suggest that the "Diaries" be read with this book, but that this book can be read on it's own merit as a very good travel biography with a challenge & a purpose all of its own - and a fine read to boot, where you feel involved in the author's own quest & achievements against the odds - rathe
More...
Jan 29, 2012
Wu
rated it:
Ecco la postfazione di Wu Ming 1 (traduttore e curatore dell'edizione italiana) a Sulle orme del Che.
"[...] una testimonianza preziosa. Discutibile, anzi discutenda, e nondimeno (o forse proprio per questo) preziosa.
Uno dei presunti punti deboli del libro ne è in realtà il punto di forza: la Belle Epoque del neoliberismo vi è descritta all'apice della sua retorica, ma dal punto di vista di chi già allora doveva accontentarsi di briciole (spesso letteralmente). Già nel 1997 la distinzion More...
"[...] una testimonianza preziosa. Discutibile, anzi discutenda, e nondimeno (o forse proprio per questo) preziosa.
Uno dei presunti punti deboli del libro ne è in realtà il punto di forza: la Belle Epoque del neoliberismo vi è descritta all'apice della sua retorica, ma dal punto di vista di chi già allora doveva accontentarsi di briciole (spesso letteralmente). Già nel 1997 la distinzion More...
Feb 20, 2008
Shark
rated it:
I had to read this for a Latin American culture class in college and thought I was at risk of being bored out of my mind. While certain parts of this book certainly could have been moved along a little faster, it is extremely interesting how the author helps us understand the Che Guevara legend while at the same time showing us the journey he went through that made him who he was. We see Latin America (a large portion of South America) through new eyes and get a glimpse into its culture that i
More...
Jul 24, 2011
Anne
rated it: 
I loved reading this, perhaps because I cannot get enough of people riding horses or motorcycles around Latin America. Would someone write a book completely consisting of riding horses or motorcycles around among all that wind and all those improbably growing trees? I also like this writer not only because his style of writing about travel and food and outsider-ness is in fact a true discernible style, one that all the magazine editors have thankfully not managed to quash, but also because he's
More...
Jul 24, 2011
Jen
rated it:
Patrick Symmes retraces Che's famous 1952 motorcycle trip through South America before he was the famous "Che" and just Ernesto. Symmes documents the rise of Che and his ideals as well as the lasting effect Che and his ideology has left on South America. Symmes doesn't tiptoe around the darker side of Che although it doesn't really come out until the end of the book when Symmes reaches Bolivia, the site of Che's death. However this makes sense since Symmes is originally examining hi
More...
Jun 05, 2009
Kate
rated it: 
I liked this better than the original Motorcycle Diaries. I got a better sense of where Che was, both geographically and ideologically, through this more reflective, historical narrative than I did from Che's own journal.
Dec 09, 2009
Russell
rated it: 
Self indulging trek which attempts to retrace Che Guevara's journey across South America. Patrick Symmes fails to intertwine his story with Che's and thus recounts two parallel stories.
Apr 24, 2009
Ken
rated it:
Generally entertaining, but not terribly enlightening. The irony of the commodification of Che Guevara is something worth contemplating.
Jan 24, 2009
Brandon
rated it:
More contemporary than Motorcycle Diaries. If you have to chose between the two, go with the original from Ernesto Guevara.
Oct 01, 2011
Moscowjarman
rated it:
helped me understand the myth behind the Che Guevara legend...the societal tolerance and worship for this man disturbs me
May 15, 2009
blake
rated it:
I will call him "Pinchbeckian" for how he messed up what seemed like a pretty great idea: following the path that Che took during his "Motorcycle Diaries" in order to get at the essence of the man. Unfortunately, his cynicism and self-importance get in the way of his mission and grate on the reader.
Jul 05, 2011
Samantha
rated it:
After watching the Motorcycle Diaries with my students so many times in a row, this offered so much new information and explained the gaps between the movie and the famous Che.
Dec 27, 2009
Chris
rated it:
Symmes is a consummate story teller as a historian, travel writer and novelist. I feared the premise of following Che on his motorcycle journey would simply lead into a conventional travelogue, but I was pleasantly surprised to see how both the modern travel narrative and the historical narrative of Che's life were interwoven so seamlessly and readably.
Having watched China emerge trough phases of revolution, I found it particularly interesting to compare my experiences to Symmes' ac More...
Having watched China emerge trough phases of revolution, I found it particularly interesting to compare my experiences to Symmes' ac More...
Jan 13, 2008
Autumn
rated it:
I read this as an assignment in a Latin American civilization class. The author copies a motorcycle journey taken by Che Guevara in the 1950's and chronicles his experiences trying to chase down the legend. An interesting insight into Che's life. Definitely worth reading for anyone who has an interest in Latin America and the mysterious Che legends.
More...
Mar 28, 2008
Christine
rated it:
Who really knows who Che Guevara is? You see his face everywhere but do you know who he is? This book appealed to my wanderlust instincts. Who wouldn't want to throw caution to the wind and go on a motorcycle trip across South America? You could always read Che's actual diaries but I actually find Patrick Symmes' version more entertaining. Enjoy!
Feb 15, 2009
Rebecca
rated it:
Whatever you think of Che Guevara--hero to the working class or mass-murderer--this is a fascinating travelogue of South America.
Nov 06, 2008
Lamski Kikita
rated it:
It is interesting to see what someone finds when going on the actual journey tens of years after Che's death. Separating Che the man from Che the myth is very hard, but I really did not need this book to figure out that things go wrong in revolutions because they tend to be romanticized and idealistic. I think I will go on this journey one day. and regardless of what went wrong, Che will remain a legend and a symbol of struggle against tyranny.
Jul 24, 2011
J
rated it:
This book is SO overdue at the library. I'll probably owe so much money I could have bought it for myself instead. Needless to say, I'm only half-way through and won't be able to finish it since it's an inter-library loan. I'm really disappointed I wasn't able to get through this since I really am enjoying it. School and studying take priority over pleasure reading, oh well.
Jul 24, 2011
Michael
rated it:
A book about a guy who re-traces the steps Che Guevara took on his travels around South America by motorbike to try and get a glimpse of what radicalised him, but doesn't agree with his politics, was really easy to read
Sep 07, 2007
G
rated it:
An insightful and energetic travelogue through Latin America, and a worthy successor to Guevara's Notas de viaje and Granado's Viajes con Che Guevara. But it could have been maybe fifty pages shorter.
Feb 03, 2008
Cary
rated it:
Before I read this book my view of Che was only vagely what I have heard when I was a little girl. I learned what an a extraordinary man he was and how passionate he was about on what he believed.
Fun to read, fun to see how he enjoyed traveling through beatiful places in south america such my Chile lindo. :)
Thanks Yessy for recomending it.
Fun to read, fun to see how he enjoyed traveling through beatiful places in south america such my Chile lindo. :)
Thanks Yessy for recomending it.
Jul 24, 2011
ariofish
rated it:
An interesting read of modern day writer re-visiting the journey of Che Guevara. Contains both historic references and the author's experiences.
Jan 22, 2008
Dana
rated it:
A different perspective of the life and journey of Che Guevara as told by a modern day author who follows Che's journey.
Mar 11, 2009
Alison
rated it:
A little slow - I had a tough time getting excited to read this one. Didn't finish the book. Set it down about half way and picked up a different book.
Aug 20, 2007
Liz
rated it:
The perfect companion to my trip to Peru. It also helps that I've seen the Motorcycle Diaries twice and I keep conjuring up images of Gael Garcia Bernal.
Jul 24, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
Excellent history of South America and Che Guevrra and funny too. I admire the writer as he gets underneath the usual Che story for a different view
May 20, 2010
Cynthia
rated it:
ARGENTINA. One of the most boring travel writings I've read, but very educational about South America and Che Guevera.
Jul 24, 2011
Matthew
rated it:
The best part is the end, where the Dutch guy realizes how twisted Che's image has become.
Jul 24, 2011
Ismail
rated it:
If you like me want to know more about che and south america in general this is the book for you.
Jul 24, 2011
Mel
rated it:
pure brilliance! revisit che's quest, while gathering perspective on modern south america.
