Rating: 
Summary: Self-absorption rather than self-discovery
Review: I read this book a week before my trip to Cuba, so the anticipation of realizing a 5 year traveling dream could make the most boring travelogue exciting. However, my thoughts always drifted away from the subject, and ran into the author. Each situation was a refection of himself, rather than a foil for understanding the the country and the people. Great that he left his utopian ideals for reality, but what does that mean for the people? Does he see the people differently as they are not part of a great experiment, but rather a totalitarian regime? It does not require an anthropologist to point out that people living in hard conditions but joined by a visible future and a stake are quite different than those realizing their lives are out of their control and are forceably reminded of that. I found both those people in my two weeks there, but in his book only found them rationalizing Mr. Bakers own political beliefs. People, and Cubans specifically, are more than just subjects under a political structure, no matter how dominant that structure is. Mr. Baker never brought that side out. He did pique my desires as a 32 year old single man and solo traveler, even though the stories seemed like the braggadocio of young men in his telling, missing crucial details. Him picking out the Tropicana girl at the tourist-only show and saying there was a connection on sight, and that is why she went with him is self-delusional, if not disingenuous. But for this reason, his book is no travel book. After one "date" with a woman my second night in Havana, and all female interactions that followed, if not through Cuban friends, I realized that Mr. Baker was omitting the main reason that he was so desireable; his wallet and that valuable dollar that is between 5-10% of a monthly income there. There is a story there on how prostitution could be different in a country such as Cuba, as I believe it is, verses other stops of the sex-trade (which Cuba is, although never mentioned in his book), refections of the women who are involved and what it means to them and the price they pay emotionally, spiritually and socially, but he chose avoid those prominent questions and play to his ego for us the reader. But after a visit there, you realize his glaring omission of what passes between lovers before they part, and he begs the question of why would someone so in love with a country treat its daugthers that way? At least bring it to the attention of us the reader and traveler. Alas, he rivals the tourists he slanders so often, using a country for its beauty, oblivious to the ramifications. I give this two stars because without traveling there, the power of Cuba can sustain mediocrity, and the premise of riding a BMW through such a poor yet vibrant country is quite vivid. A digital camera has similar effects on the populace. And I do give him respect to realize the failure of Communism, against his desires. But his realizations are from his mirror, not the beautiful country he travels or the complicated but ultimately inspirational people he's met.
Rating:
Summary: Self-absorption rather than self-discovery
Review: I read this book a week before my trip to Cuba, so the anticipation of realizing a 5 year traveling dream could make the most boring travelogue exciting. However, my thoughts always drifted away from the subject, and ran into the author. Each situation was a refection of himself, rather than a foil for understanding the the country and the people. Great that he left his utopian ideals for reality, but what does that mean for the people? Does he see the people differently as they are not part of a great experiment, but rather a totalitarian regime? It does not require an anthropologist to point out that people living in hard conditions but joined by a visible future and a stake are quite different than those realizing their lives are out of their control and are forceably reminded of that. I found both those people in my two weeks there, but in his book only found them rationalizing Mr. Bakers own political beliefs. People, and Cubans specifically, are more than just subjects under a political structure, no matter how dominant that structure is. Mr. Baker never brought that side out. He did pique my desires as a 32 year old single man and solo traveler, even though the stories seemed like the braggadocio of young men in his telling, missing crucial details. Him picking out the Tropicana girl at the tourist-only show and saying there was a connection on sight, and that is why she went with him is self-delusional, if not disingenuous. But for this reason, his book is no travel book. After one "date" with a woman my second night in Havana, and all female interactions that followed, if not through Cuban friends, I realized that Mr. Baker was omitting the main reason that he was so desireable; his wallet and that valuable dollar that is between 5-10% of a monthly income there. There is a story there on how prostitution could be different in a country such as Cuba, as I believe it is, verses other stops of the sex-trade (which Cuba is, although never mentioned in his book), refections of the women who are involved and what it means to them and the price they pay emotionally, spiritually and socially, but he chose avoid those prominent questions and play to his ego for us the reader. But after a visit there, you realize his glaring omission of what passes between lovers before they part, and he begs the question of why would someone so in love with a country treat its daugthers that way? At least bring it to the attention of us the reader and traveler. Alas, he rivals the tourists he slanders so often, using a country for its beauty, oblivious to the ramifications. I give this two stars because without traveling there, the power of Cuba can sustain mediocrity, and the premise of riding a BMW through such a poor yet vibrant country is quite vivid. A digital camera has similar effects on the populace. And I do give him respect to realize the failure of Communism, against his desires. But his realizations are from his mirror, not the beautiful country he travels or the complicated but ultimately inspirational people he's met.
Rating: 
Summary: Christoper Baker really brings it to life
Review: I read this book before a trip to Cuba, and Christopher Baker knows what he's talking about. He seems to really deeply care about the land and its people, and went through a lot of difficulty to write this wonderful book. Read it even if you don't intend to go to Cuba, it will change your perceptions.
Rating: 
Summary: Mi Moto Fidel
Review: I used one of Christopher Baker's guidebooks over a year ago during my own 1 month adventure through Cuba. I found it to be an excellent book that was accurate and politically balanced (rare in most guidebooks). While in Havana, one of my friends told me he met Mr. Baker in a bar and that he was quite the "character". Naturally, when "Mi Moto Fidel" came out I bought it immediately. I had to know the story behind the writing of the guidebook and the man who wrote it. Other than Baker's initial political take on Cuba, his impressions were similar to my feelings about the island. He is able to love Cuba and it's people while still recognizing it's problems. He was also very honest about the change he experienced on his view of the current system. He gives a fair and balanced way of looking at the Cuba "situation". He essentially evolves and gains a much deeper understanding of Cuba and himself during his trip. I can understand how some readers might think Baker is a tad arrogant and self-centered, but he also was able to openly and honestly write about his mistakes and misconceptions; and actually grow from this. A rare quality in people. The book is also a great adventure story that will appeal to those who have or have wanted to travel independently. My only criticism is Baker's apparent disdain for most of the other foreigners he meets. I too despise many of the obnoxious package tourists I meet when traveling, however Baker seems to have trouble finding any redeeming qualities in most of the other tourists/travelers he meets. It seems he won't even give most of them a chance. He looks onto a beach and refers to fat, white skinned tourists. I am not sure how one can judge another person without actually speaking with them. Baker doesn't seem to realize that the content of someone's character has nothing to do with whether or not they have a tan or are thin (Although, I must admit, some of the tourists he meets do give arrogance and ignorance a new meaning). At times it seems he has the maturity level of a Southern California "frat" boy. I have no problem with his sexual adventures. After all, he was single and traveling in a very erotic country. But, I am confused as to why he seems to look down on other men who do the exact same as he. Maybe only tan men on motos have the right to enjoy themselves in this manner? I sometimes get the impression that Baker thinks he is "cooler" than other foreigners. Despite all this, I still highly recommend this book. It is well written, entertaining, insightful, funny, and accurate. Baker knows and understands this island better than most. He maintains his deep love for Cuba despite some of his unpleasant revalations during his trip. I look forward to his next book.
Rating: 
Summary: God's gift to Cuban women
Review: I've always wanted to vistit Cuba, and I am a big motorcycle buff. So putting the 2 together is what attracted me to the book. I was hoping for insight into the Cuban way of life, a kind of personal view of what to see and do. I was not disappointed there, but the author's overuse of adjectives overwhelmed me as much as his egotistical sexual "conquests" of every pretty woman he laid his eyes on. The book could have been labelled "Mi Moto and God's gift to woman". I did also buy his Guide to Cuba which really is crammed with very useful information. I guess he must have been having fun writing "Mi Moto Fidel".
Rating: 
Summary: Indulgent drivel
Review: If you're impressed with books by ageing wannabees desperately seeking reassurance through the challenging medium of bored, penniless prostitutes, you'll find this riveting. Otherwise you'll probably find it to be indulgent garbage.
I first went to Cuba in 1995 (being from Europe it was not a problem to travel there), around the time the Buena Vista Social Club was gaining worldiwde recognition. It was a fascinating place. I stopped going about five years ago, as the place was becoming oppressive, full of miserable sex tourists and those same bored, penniless prostitutes who practically throw themselves at any foreigner who has a few dollars to offer (the average monthly wage in Cuba is about $10). It is also becoming more dangerous, due in part to the growing desperation and in part to the increase in drug activity. Inevitably, AIDS is becoming more widespread.
Baker seems at home amidst the seedier side of modern day Cuba. A quick look at the website makes it easier to understand why that might be. His gullibility, so apparent in the book, is perhaps less easy to comprehend. Don Juan, he clearly ain't. But he is supposed to be well traveled.
If what you are really interested in is a well-researched book on Cuba, believe me, there are much better ones than this.
Don't be conned.
Rating:
Summary: Boorish, vulgar and somewhat racist
Review: Let's not mince words. After reading this book my immediate reaction was one of distaste. Not just because of the constant sexual encounters with very young Cuban women that make up a large part of the book, or the extraordinary stereotyping of Cubans present throoughout the entire book, or the spectacular lack of knowledge of Cuban history shown by the writer. It was because I kept thinking that a lot of the dialogue between the author and the locals, seemed... well... made up and just not believable. Baker starts as a Castro apologist with an interesting twist to his apologies. He recognizes somewhat the yoke that the Cuban Revolution has become on its people - but hey! it's OK, because Cubans are a fun, sexual, libertine people! Towards the end of the book he has somewhat of an epiphany where he realizes that Castro has been using the embargo, making sure it sticks and stays on - as an excuse to further abuse the Cuban people he has imperiously brutalized for over 40 years. And when the 40something Baker tells a 14-year-old-Cuban girl that he finds sexually attractive: "I'll be back in two years" .... well, I think he means it. Perhaps his next "travel book" should be on Thailand.
Rating:
Summary: Solid Prose Ruined by Imperialist Activities
Review: Mi Moto Fidel is a good story of Cuba and it's people, and, of course, Fidel.
The author, Christopher Baker, is a good observer and accurately portrays a nation awash in poverty thanks to Marxism run wild.
In reading the book, one becomes impressed with the staggering physical beauty of the place, almost as a metaphor for the wonderful humanity of the people of this caribbean emerald of an island. The Cubans are as he describes them: resilient, positive, generous and heroic in their survival against enormous economic degradation.
The book, though is troubling, and these troubles don't arise from either the "Moto" or from Fidel.
Mr. Baker's pomposity makes him, as the narrator and main participant in the work, a most unlikable protagonist. To him all tourists are obese, ignorant, rude and unwelcome. Spaniards, English, Americans, Germans and Canadians are all disparaged.
It seems as if Mr. Baker believes that he is the only non-Cuban entitled to visit the place.
Perhaps worse is Mr. Baker's role as a profligate participant in sexual imperialism. The most ethically bankrupt possible thing that a beneficiary of the developed economies can do is travel to a poor country and take advantage of the country's poverty by having sex with as many women as possible. Especially the young attractive ones.
And Mr. Baker seemingly indulges in this as often as he rides his "moto". He boffs in doorways, in hotel rooms, and as a guest in homes.
From his actions, Mr. Baker proves that he is not rich, he certainly isn't generous and from his website, he doesn't have movie star looks. The only reason that these women canoodle with him is for the meagre dollars he tosses around like manhole covers.
I have to conclude that despite the value of the depictions of the country and its people, this should be a do not read.
(...)
Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ!
Review: Mi Moto Fidel offers its reading audience a wonderfully captivating take on life in "Castro's Cuba". Mr. Baker does a remarkable job of capturing and presenting the Cuban way of life, the countries political stance and beautiful countrysides in an electrically charged kind of way. I am very much looking forward to future books on this subject by Mr. Baker.
Rating:
Summary: A little sugar in the tank
Review: Mi Moto Fidel starts off promisingly enough, but sputters to a weak stop. Baker relating his apparently endless series of amorous conquests quickly becomes wearing (except possibly to 20-something males), as does his litany of complaints about Cuba's food (or lack thereof), heat, dust, and accomodations (or again, lack thereof). While all probably true, I quickly tired of Baker's self-centerness and whining writing style. Except for sex, Baker seems not to have all that much liking for the Cuban people, his claims throughout Mi Moto Fidel notwithstanding. Mi Morto Fidel belongs to that strange genre of travel books where the writer, after finally achieving his/her life-long dream. discovers that it wasn't worthwhile pursuing. You may find Mi Moto Fidel interesting if you think one man's pursuit of one-night stands is worthwhile reading. If you buy Mi Moto Fidel, as I did, to learn more about Cuba prior to traveling there, I think you'll find the book disappointing and depressing.
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