The Longest Ride: My Ten-Year 500,000 Mile Motorcycle Journey Paperback – December 8, 2013

This review is written as someone on the way to South America right now, and hopefully around the world, too.There's a lot to be said about traveling outside of your comfort zone. The excitement is usually high and adventures come from things big and small. Something as simple as ordering a meal in a restaurant from a menu in a language you don't understand, much less the food items, can be exciting for example. Or, be denied entry into the next country but you don't know why. You don't speak their language and they don't speak yours. There are some kind of adventures I can do without.My inspiration from the book comes from reading about the ability to overcome obstacles. I have periods where I worry about getting stuck someplace, or if I'm prepared enough, or not having enough money. Mr. Scotto proves that you don't need a chase vehicle full of spare parts and a staff of people back home to help you with visas and logistics - you can do it on your own. He also shows that you don't need a bunch of money, either. How many times did Mr. Scotto cross a border into a new country with only $20 in his pocket? I know first-hand that when you're traveling and you need a hand from a stranger, one (or more) will appear.I enjoyed the chapter where he describes his impressions of the United States. It's interesting to read about your home country through someone else's eyes.Indeed, the second half of the book certainly seems rushed, and there were many countries I wanted to read about that were completely omitted, but I don't let that detract any stars. I read the book in only two sittings and I've enthusiastically recommended it to my friends.Some reviewers allege that there are some exaggerations. I have no idea, but there's no denying that Mr. Scotto spent years traveling around the world. All I know is that this book is a great read and I recommend it.

excellent

The book is amazing and the stories are compelling. It is written with a vivid and colorful language. My only complain would be that the end was disappointing (very...). Not because it was was dull or boring but because it was totally anti-climatic. It was like if someone had told Emilio to stop writing because the book was due for printing in that very same moment. Otherwise, I would say it is inspiring...

What an excellent example of what an adventure it can be to see the world by motorcycle.I enjoyed reading it very much and recommend it highly for those interested in reading what it required for Emilio to visit every country he could, even if only for a day. He did not go to learn the culture of each country, he did not go to learn about the problems with the governments of each country, he is not an adventure motorcycle rider seeking the road untraveled, he just wanted to visit all the countries and the motorcycle was the means to do it.Other authors do better at covering history, cultures, foods, dangerous trails, and other things we read of riders experiencing, but Emilio rode a totally unsuitable machine to every country he could, no matter how difficult it was.He has the "Right Stuff".Two thumbs way up!

Emilio sets out to ride around the world in every direction possible for 500,000 miles and 10 years and then comes back alive to write about it and share this INSANE journey and you cannot but give the guy 5 stars just for having it be unbelievable!!!!BUT it is more than that.Well Written!!!!!!!!Entertaining!!!!!!!But most of all he does all of this having everything STOLEN from him within the first 3 days of his journey!!!It has to be true or why would every picture in the book from the jungle to the desert have him wearing sneakers and socks!!!!!!!!!!!I thought Ted Simon and Glen Heggstad and Helge Pedersen were tough.....Well they are tough!!!!!!The three toughest guys I know but never had the pleasure to meet in person..........BUT THIS GUY EMILIO SCOTTO IS NOT TOUGH he is superhuman with a massive touch of insanity!!!!!That is what makes this book one of the best ever written.Along with Skeletons on the Zahara.....The Long Walk........and Island of the Lost and now The Longest Ride......There we have the 4 books representing the toughness of the human body on display....IN GRAND FASHIONHe has no money and people give him things along the way...Pope John Paul II receives him and blesses him in person. The greatest....Muhammad Ali gives him money and his words of inspiration and BUZZ ALDRIN says..."My Friend Emilio Scotto has taken one of the most fantasitc journeys ever attempted by a human being, short of going to the moon." Who is going to argue with BUZZ??????I am giving this 25 stars to make up for ANYONE having the guts to give this less then 5 on this site!!!!!!AND he did all of this on a HONDA GOLD WING!!!!!!!!!!!!ARE YOU KIDDING!!!!!!!!!A HONDA GOLD WING WITH SNEAKERS ON!!!!!!!!I wish I would have know this man when he was doing this and better yet bumped into him along the way I would have been honored to give him a thousand bucks in cash to help him out!!!!!!!!

Words can not give this book justice. I bought it to read about a ride and I was given an in-depth geography and political lesson. This is a fun book but with tremendous insight and humor. One of the few books about motorcycle travel I could not put down. It is real and revealing not only about the man but the peoples and human nature of the world. If you can't take a trip like this, this is one book you can read and almost experience the ride yourself. I plan to buy two more, one for friends to read and one for my college Library. This book will always be on my personal bookshelf, Thank you Emilio Scotto.