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

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!!!!!!!!

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.

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!

I wanted to find out what this ride was all about as I have just finished riding 50,000km through 30 countries myself. I am a different Monica from his dearly beloved, riding my own bike. Some of it I thought was unbelieveable but what comes through is Emilio Scotto's amazing persistence no matter what obstacles he said he faced. It was interesting using the big coffee book format and I saw it as a way to present this huge 10 year trip that could have become many volumes and as endless as the trip itself. How would you write up such adventures and keep the reader with you I think got tackled well using this format.In particular the first part was very good but dissolved into using the photoss to carry it through in the end.Did Emilio run out of steam or was it too big a job to get 10 years of motorcycling down and all on the most unsuitable bike for off- road riding?. I really enjoyed what he wrote about Africa as we too went to West Africa and not many motorcyclists go that way. As well I note Emilio did not get to Timbuktu (Tombouctou) which was a highlight for me though he was in a tough part of the Sahara.Overall this book was easy to engage with but left me wondering how he really managed with so little money and at the mercy of random sponsors and charity.

The delivery came fast. Condition is as describe. Am happy with the goods.

If you are a biker and ride long trips then you have to read this. This rider has a story to tell. Hard to put the book down. He started with too much gear and next to no money. Amazing ride around the world. Amazing story.

I have had this book for two years now and refer back to it time and again as it is by far one of the greatest motorcycle travel books ever. This is a journey that belongs in the annals of truly great travel writing as I doubt it can be faithfully reproduced today. The challenge and pain of this monumental journey will remain with the reader long after the last page has been turned. 500,000 miles on a Gold Wing around the world, an astounding challenge to even contemplate by any motorcycle adventurer. A truly amazing feat undertaken by Emilio, who takes the reader along on his epic quest virtually allowing the reader to experience every dusty mile of this epic ride page by page.A true masterpiece!

What a brilliant book. Well written with the additional down to earth banter by Emilio on his journey round-the-world on a heavy Gold Wing. I would dread picking that up. I would recommend it to anyone interested in adventure touring on a motorcycle.Some of the countries he passed through, he experienced many forms of feelings, of some panic, loneliness to love and friendship.Will be reading it again soon as this ain't going to no charity shop.

If you are planning a long trip or a short couple weeks, this book is for you. Inspired notes from a seasoned traveler, this book provides experience and insight towards what your road or trail may bring you. Enjoying it as we plan a trip from the top to the bottom of the Americas. Having read only part way thru, its been a very helpful tool.

I'm sure the content will be great, but to my surprise I received a used book (which I expected) but in great shape, but one that seems to still be missing from the West Dunbartonshire Libraries (which I did not expect). According to the library label, it was supposed to be returned by December 21, 2011 (!?!) so I hope this won't end up biting me with stiff late fees! (haha)