Throughout the course of his three-month, 7,000-mile odyssey through Castro's Cuba, Christopher Baker--thanks to his attention-getting vehicle--enjoyed instant entrée to a people both deprived of and obsessed by chrome and motorized wheels.
Baker's dazzling narrative introduces readers to a tremendous variety of Cubans in this penetrating and spellbinding travelogue--from tobacco growers and prostitutes to fishermen and impassioned dissidents. Revealing a vivacious people in the throes of a slow and painful transition, Baker takes us through his own gradual but profound change of heart about Castro's regime. Mi Moto Fidel is a rare work of warmhearted humor and considerable insight that mines the depths of Cuba's troubled history and politics...and shines an unprecedented light on this stubbornly enigmatic country.
Mi Moto Fidel, Christopher Baker's intriguing account of his three-month romp through Cuba on a fire-engine red motorcycle is perhaps the most thorough portrait of this faded Communist country to date. Baker leaves no stone unturned as he revisits Ernest Hemingway's haunts in Havana, checks out a secret cave in the foothills of the sierras that once served as Che Guevara's command post during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and sips motojos at a thatched-roofed beach bar on Playa Los Pinos. On this exhaustive journey, our leather-clad "yanqui" interacts with a myriad of characters from artists to farmers to fisherman to prostitutes, and engages in lively discussions on everything from politics, sex, cigars, and, of course, on the aging revolutionary himself, Fidel Castro. Baker effectively captures the essence of the Cuban people--primarily their generosity and resilient spirit--and his various dalliances with beautiful habaneras (Daisy, Sonia, and Juanita, to name a few) will pique readers' interest (men's more than women's, understandably). By the time Baker winds up back in Havana he has covered some 7,000 miles on his cherished bike. After reading Mi Moto Fidel, you'll no doubt be inspired to hit the road. --Jill Fergus
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Good Reading In contrast to Mr. Baker's later book on Cuban Automobiles which I found a bit "less than expected", this one leaves out most of the pictures and is a fascinating account that makes excellent reading. Too much sex for a travel book? Try traveling as a single male with some signs of wealth and experience how often you will be propositioned. Even in my age bracket I have been told that I should always have a lady companion and that this could be immediately arranged. He accurately depicts the sweaty tourists,... more info
Great travel book I happen to love great travel books and this was fantastic. It has been few years since I read this book but it was a fast and fun read. You get a real sense of the culture and the country. The book was always moving and that is what i like about travel books.
A Great Ride! Mr. Baker's book is riveting, entertaining, and educational. I am Cuban born and had visited Cuba prior to the "special period". Mr. Baker's account is fair and balanced and highlights the Castro regime's failures and accomplishments. For anyone wishing to find out what it is like in Cuba - look no further! It is a fabulous read.
Good book Although Baker is an unapologetic womanizer and takes avantage of many women who obviously want him so as to escape Cuba, the book is interesting in that it highlights many of the failures of the cuban revolution; the prostitution, bad food. Meanwhile, he catches the friendliness of the people.
Related
Sections
