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

The little that I knew about Che before reading his autobiographical account was certainly colored by the context in which I was learning (that context being the post-Cold War United States). I wanted to give Che a chance to speak for himself, and what struck me the most is how similar we are. He made the notes that became this book when he was 24, loved to travel, and was still full of his youthful idealism. Without delving into my own politics (because I do not feel they have any place here), suffice it to say that I understand the spirit that motivated him.

Thanks to Chris Peterson for the loan.