Ernesto “Che” Guevara, known more for his revolutionary politics than his writing by many, has chronicled a motorcycle trip around South America that he took as a young man with his friend Alberto Granado in 1952.
These brash and somewhat foolhardy young guys took on the Andes mountains and hundreds of kilometers of wilderness on their motorcycle to complete the journey. Through illness, hunger, breakdowns and even a few fights they managed to survive on both wits and the kindness of strangers.
Young “Che” was not yet the revolutionary he became 8 years later but one can sense the feelings beginning to arise in him as he witnessed the poverty and injustice faced by the common people he encountered. Trained as a doctor he seems to have had within him at that early time the desire to be of service to others.
Photos taken by the author and friend Alberto complete the edition of the book I have which was purchased in India. This new edition with additional prefaces and commentary is available elsewhere as well. His writing style is compelling and observant. His honesty is refreshing and the book is both an interesting autobiography and descriptive travelogue.
Highly recommended.
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