Ernesto Che Guevara - The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey

Its about a journey of discovery that becomes one of self-discovery as well. Its about the emotional and political choices we have to make in life. Its also about finding friendship, about solidarity. Finally, its about finding ones place in the world one that is worth fighting for.

Walter Salles, director of The Motorcycle Diaries

A journey, a number of journeys. Ernesto Guevara in search of adventure, Ernesto Guevara in search of America, Ernesto Guevara in search of Che. On this journey of journeys, solitude found solidarity, I turned into we. Eduardo Galeano

Che was 24: the world was not only an oyster, it lay at his feet. And life stretched out endlessly, languidly before him This new edition of the book, published to coincide with the release of a film by Robert Redford and Walter Salles, is enhanced from the original 1993 publication. Included are Aleidas much expanded comments and 24 pages of previously unpublished photos taken by Che and his traveling companion on their journey. January Magazine

Das Kapital meets Easy Rider . Times

A Latin American James Dean or Jack Kerouac. Washington Post

An extraordinary first-person account. If the world eventually came to know Che Guevara and his New Man, in The Motorcycle Diaries we see the formative man. It redoubles his image and lends a touch of humanity with enough rough edges to invite controversy.

Los Angeles Times Book Review

For every comic escapade of the carefree roustabout there is an equally eye-opening moment in the development of the future revolutionary leader. By the end of the journey, a politicized Guevara has emerged to predict his own legendary future. Time

There is pathos in these pages the pathos of Che himself, ever thoughtful, ever willing to sacrifice all, burning with guilt over his own privileges and never letting his sufferings impede him. New Yorker

A revolutionary bestseller Its true, Marxists just wanna have fun. Guardian

The Motorcycle Diaries mixes lyrical observation, youthful adventure and anti-imperialist political analysis This candid journal, part self-discovery, part fieldwork, glimmers with portents of the future revolutionary. Publishers Weekly

What distinguishes these diaries is that they reveal a human side to El Che which historians have successfully managed to suppress. It is in the pages of this breathless journal that one senses El Ches belief that determination and conviction can be enough to change ones self and others The journal is a joy to read from start to finish.

Financial Times

This journey was obviously the formative influence on Ches Pan-Americanism and the development of his revolutionary consciousness Theres political incorrectness galore this book should do much to humanize the image of a man who found his apotheosis as a late 60s cultural icon. It is also, incidentally, a remarkably good travel book about South America. The Scotsman

The vision of the noble loner, whether freedom-fighter or biker gives hope to world-weary revolutionaries and non-revolutionaries alike.

Weekend Telegraph

Politically correct revolutionary hero? Perhaps a few years later, but in this account Che Guevara comes over as one of the lads. Bike

Che is certainly a shrewd observer of what he calls the strange human race The great thing about this book is that Che Guevara is never a bore. It satisfies both as an enjoyable travelogue and as a chronicle of the development of one of this centurys most romantic figures.

Literary Review

This book is worth reading for more than novelty value. In his journey across Latin America, through the Andes and the rainforest, Ches diary is full of original observation, hilarious mishaps and human understanding. Briefing

Che writes with wit and skill, giving insights into the world that shaped his beliefs The reader can see him piecing together the ideas that will shape his political future. Impact

the motorcycle diaries

NOTES ON A LATIN AMERICAN JOURNEY

CHE GUEVARA PUBLISHING PROJECT

These books form part of a series published by Ocean Press and the Che Guevara Studies Center of Havana, with the objective of disseminating the works and ideas of Che Guevara.

Self-Portrait
A Photographic and Literary Memoir

The Motorcycle Diaries
Notes on a Latin American Journey

Reminiscences of the Cuban Revolutionary War
Authorized Edition

The Bolivian Diary
Authorized Edition

Che Guevara Reader
Writings on Politics and Revolution

Latin America
Awakening of a Continent

Global Justice
Liberation and Socialism

Guerrilla Warfare
Authorized Edition

Our America and Theirs
Kennedy and the Alliance for Progress
The Debate at Punta del Este

Marx & Engels
A Biographical Introduction

Critical Notes On Political Economy
A Critical Analysis of the Soviet Economic System

Socialism and Humanity in Cuba
A Classic Edition

ERNES TO

CHE GUEVARA

the motorcycle diaries

NOTES ON A LATIN AMERICAN JOURNEY

preface by Aleida Guevara March
introduction by Cintio Vitier

Ocean Press www.oceanbooks.com.au

Cover design by Karen Oh

Copyright 2003 Ocean Press
Copyright 2003 Che Guevara Studies Center
Copyright 2003 Aleida March

All photographs 2003 Che Guevara Studies Center
Preface 2003 Aleida Guevara March

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-876175-70-2
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2003107187

First Printed 2003
Twenty-second printing 2011

Published in Spanish by Ocean Sur as
Diarios de Motocicleta , ISBN 978-1-920888-11-4

PUBLISHED BY OCEAN PRESS
Australia: PO Box 1015, North Melbourne, Victoria 3051, Australia
E-mail:

OCEAN PRESS DISTRIBUTORS

United States: Consortium Book Sales and Distribution

Tel: 1-800-283-3572 www.cbsd.com

Canada: Publishers Group Canada

Tel: 1-800-663 5714

Australia and New Zealand: Palgrave Macmillan

E-mail:

Cuba and Latin America: Ocean Sur

E-mail:

www.oceanbooks.com.au

contents

Appendix: A child of my environment
(Speech to medical students, 1960)