Customer Reviews

Bicycle Diaries (Hardcover)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Scotland born of Irish parents, raised in Maryland, USA (and still a British citizen) Byrne is a citizen of the world. His musical and visual artistic talents have taken him everywhere. This book tells us what he thinks of the cities he's visited and lived in. Some he likes - and some amaze him that people still live there, they are so hostile to humanity. Byrne rides a folding bicycle on travels and a road bike in New York, his home town. He rides about to see the architecture of politics - how people live and how they cope. He rides because auto traffic often makes it easier pedaling around than taking a cab or parking your own car just to go to market or make an appointment. Since he's done this for years, David has opinions on two and four wheel conveyances. The book is filled with anecdotes, but mainly it is a comment on what we've done with society, and why life is an experiment that may eventually get it right. I don't think Byrne researched (formally) much; he's just naturally smart and has listened and read lots - and gives the reader a ton of history and background for his views. Only in the final pages (the Appendix) does David say anything about bicycles as hardware, and this is slight. It is not a Music book; it is not an Art book; it is not a Bicycle book. It is a diary of opinions and observations and comments and insights by a pretty good writer who doesn't advise and doesn't preach.

I gave it four stars because, although well written and insightful, you have to be a Byrne fan to truly appreciate his effort.

This book is reviewed by about 40 readers in another edition, so be sure to read them as well.