The Motorcycle Diaries

Notes on a Latin American Journey

De: Ernesto Che Guevara, Aleida Guevara - foreword

Narrado por: Jason Manuel Olazabal

A New York Times best seller

The Motorcycle Diaries is Che Guevara's diary of his journey to discover the continent of Latin America while still a medical student, setting out in 1952 on a vintage Norton motorcycle together with his friend Alberto Granado, a biochemist. It captures, arguably as much as any book ever written, the exuberance and joy of one person's youthful belief in the possibilities of humankind tending toward justice, peace, and happiness.

After the release in 2004 of the exhilarating film of the same title, directed by Walter Salles, the book became a New York Times and international best seller.

Cover photo: © 2019 Aleida March, Che Guevara Studies Center (Havana), and Ocean Press

©2003 Ernesto Che Guevara and Aleida March (P)2021 Audible, Inc.

The Humble & Playful Roots of a Great Man — Beautifully Read

I thoroughly enjoyed this story from beginning to end…. I am a little embarrassed that it has taken me so long to finally read such a classic. It is of course, ‘required reading’ for an educated leftist, and while it breaks no new political or philosophical ground, it playfully bolsters my understanding of the very real, very human roots of a great man so much of our world has come to admire.

Living in Thailand, I see his image everywhere — I’m guessing his fame is up there with Jesus, and while he was no “savior”, we do see a few parallels. A stubborn refusal to follow the rules, a deep thirst for meaning and above all — a triumphant willingness to sacrifice individual comfort for the needs of the many.

Perhaps it was this goodness, together with his charisma and his absolute commitment to humanity that convinced the empire to finally spend millions taking over the military of Bolivia so they could assassinate him, chopping off his hands and sending them to Washington as proof of his demise.

Therein lies the foolishness of making him a martyr. Here I am, 58 years later, reading his story, appreciating his courage and aspiring to continue his quest for a more compassionate world with human rights and general wellbeing guaranteed to all inasmuch as we are able to provide it.

makes you want to travel the world

the narration was was great!he actually sounded like a human than a robot, the most memorable moments were the funny things that happened on their adventure. love that che spoke to and talked about the Indians from different countries in South America and sheds light of of what they go through.

The Journey of a Lifetime

This is a wonderful travelogue and gives us eyes onto the Latin America observed as a young medical student. It is a novel of growth and insight into the causes of illness (largely, poverty and malnutrition) and good fellowship with many, many people for whom he had great affection.

The final chapters are a call to develop "the new man," which sounds much like the new Soviet man and was an abject failure. If we put those revolutionary impulses aside and just enjoy this bildungsroman for what it is, we can really enjoy it. In his travel observations Guevara had a keen sense of humor, often self-deprecatory, which makes him irresistibly likelable.

Patria o Muerte! Viva Che!

Every heart that beats with a conscience can find a piece of themselves in the wayward asthmatic turned heroic guerrilla; Che.

Great listen for the journey

Book was worth the trip and you get hear the experience he had traveling across South America