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Book Reviews

Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling through Castro's Cuba

By Christopher P. Baker
Published by National Geographic Adventure Press
Reviewed by: Carole Herdegen

Every once in a while, a writer who is known for writing on a specific subject or in a specific style will completely surprise his readers with a book that initially appears to be "out of character". This is exactly what Christopher Baker has done with his recent book, Mi Moto Fidel, recently now available in paperback.

Yes, it is a travel book, but not the type you would carry around with you as a guide. However, Christopher for years has also been writing guide books on the Caribbean for Lonely Planet, Moon Handbooks and National Geographic Traveler Books. While he is considered to be an excellent writer and researcher, Mi Moto Fidel is a deviation from his normal works on traveling.

In fact, with Mi Moto Fidel, Christopher has elevated his talent to a new and different level by writing a very personal story of his three-month journey through Cuba on a BMW motorcycle. His autobiographic story begins with getting Mi Moto across to Cuba by boat on rough seas and ends with the possibility of losing both Mi Moto and his book notes to scrutinizing Cuban Customs officials and their reputation for often making life difficult for the traveler. In between his arrival and departure from Cuba, Christopher tells a fascinating story of his journey from east to west across the country and returning back, traveling some 7000 miles. The reader can truly picture what it must have been like for the indigenous Cubans to see this handsome foreigner on a fancy red motorcycle that could not avoid attracting attention wherever they went.

His journey took him to interesting places where he met people at every level of Cuban society while experiencing no lack of legendary Latin seduction and romance. Cuban history and politics, family life, city and rural life, Cuban dreams and aspirations all play a part in Christopher's story. Life continues to go on in Cuba, and I doubt if things have changed significantly since his book has been published.

Several years ago, I personally rode my bike along the empty Cuban roads with some Canadian friends. In just a short time, I too also fell in love with Cuba and its people.

I totally recommend this book to all readers of adventure and hope Christopher continues to write more books on travel, especially through his personal skills of story telling. Mi Moto Fidel is simply a terrific book.

Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro's Cuba has won:

Lowell Thomas Award as "Travel Book of the Year"
Grand Prize from the North American Travel Journalist Association's Award of Excellence

New Books by Christopher P. Baker

Moon Handbook on Cuba, published by Avalon Travel A must for travelers to Cuba.

Cuba Classics: A Celebration of Vintage American Automobiles, published by Interlink.

To purchase these books click on Christopher's web site www.travelguidebooks.com or www.amazon.com.

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