The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa
by Neil Peart
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Book Summary Information
Author: Neil PeartEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-09-01
ISBN: 1550226657
Number of pages: 260
Publisher: ECW Press
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Book Reviews of The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa
Book Review: A Masked Reader rates The Masked Rider
Summary: 5 Stars
My purpose in picking up this book was simple. I recently renewed my lifelong love affair of that wonderfully efficient and simlplistic machine, the bike, and wanted a book to get some info on a good bike to buy and techie tips/advice from a 'name I can trust' (given that I'd read a few of Neil Peart's books and enjoyed the music of the band he plays for.)
What I found was an unassuming gem. To give a brief background, I found some of Peart's other books (Ghost Rider & Roadshow) 'tough' reads. That is to say, they were informative, and certainly engrossing, but they chronicalled arduous times and tasks. Ghost Rider was painful at a similarly bad time for me and no matter how much I enjoyed being the reader and riding 'shotgun' the experience did not alleviate my own pain vicariously. At the risk of sounding like a self help guru, I think everyone has to experience and learn to heal in their own way. Or as Forrest Gump said, "that's all I have to say about that ..."
Roadshow is a tough read as a Rush fan. It is one of those delightfully entertaining books that i want to read in a single day, but with that reading comes the price of knowing the other side of the velvet rope, and a casualty of that knowledge is the innocence of a lifelong fan. It is also an education that makes a true fan of a casual one, and an appreciative one at that. Perhaps it is not so much an appreciation, as it is an acknowledgement of all of the 'other stuff' that comes along with the exhibition of an art form. Aw heck, lets forget acknowledgement, and call it an acceptance. Peart discloses his intimate feelings as a visceral reaction to the most unnatural act of shuttling from one locale to another while trying to discern the handful of extremist worshippers amid the seas of respectful fans. The breakneck pace of the tour made this a hard read as a fan, who if he had it his way would invite the guys to 'his' little corner of the world, show the guys around 'his' hometown, and make sure they had a homecooked meal and sit on the porch and listen to crickets. Yeah right .. that would make an exciting book entry - huh! It was funny to see Peart caught up in the coatails of the whirlwind of a tour and scurring from one national park to another as a diversionary quest on the tour - sometimes only stopping long enough to get an admission stamp at the ranger's office and high tail it out. I felt bad for the guy, really! But the journey's the thing here. So in that light it was tiring as a reader, but a good kind of tired. I feel for ya, buddy!
So much for a short background, but that's history for you. There's always more behind you than you think. Or at least I'd like to think there's more ahead than behind. But unlike this review, life is short so let me get to the point, eh?
As I said a lifetime ago, I picked up Masked Rider with the intent to hopefully glean some equipment, riding and otherwise technical tips from a respected writer and musician. Sort of like going to your plumber to get tips on your car or something, but to me its about people, I trusted Peart as a writer. As it turns out there was little if any of what I had hoped for in the book, but on the bright side there was a whole lot of 'other stuff' that I really liked. Which brings us to the here and now.
Where are we? Oh yeah...
I loved this book. The 'mask' is a metaphor that Peart used to describe the roles or facades that we use to find our comfort zones, hide behind or avoid conflict. Those masks obfuscate, inveigle and deceive and often the wearer is the bearer of those consequences. Like the old twilight zone episode, the people become the masks and vice versa.
This book is really interesting in that the setting is a country of what one perceives to be differing norms, beliefs, customs, languages, infrastructure, commerce and countless other nuances that can make or break one's illusion of a good day. Of course, humility, patience, endurance amid diareah, thirst,conflict & corruption make for a good read especially from the comfort of home.
The traditional use of tribal masks among African cultures is certainly well documented in the western world, but here we find 5 North American travelers on the other side of the world wearing their own masks.
The beauty of the country , the people - especially the kids or the people saying welcome, or the old timer taking a nap in the woods
made me feel like the world is my home. Africa was always my dream destination as a kid. I will remember these images.
This book was a handbook on group dynamics, human behaviour, cultural sensitivity, communication, tolerance and compassion among others. The really interesting thing is that I am talking about the interractions of five North Americans among themselves - not with Africans. Peart delves into what makes people tick (including himself) and it is thoroughly enjoyable. It is also informative and offers practical lessons going forward. (People are all nuts!) Having been there, I found myself laughing out loud when Peart was still pissed off at the others and unable to sleep after discovering basic fundamental differences in beliefs and rationales during a conversation with the group. Still we try ....
Peart seems to make the observation as he makes his journey that, people - can't live with them and can't live without em. As I like to say
"Your damned if you do and damned if you don't - I'll be damned."
In other words, I'd rather be damned without regrets so If I am really waivering on a decision I'll usually err on the side of the affirmative and learn if nothing else. I am glad I read this book.<-(gratuitous affirmation)...
Thank you.
PS. The book didn't have any gear tips, but it was good to read at night on the early days of getting back into riding (with sore legs). Lots of empathy. Now I ride whenever I get the chance and I remember that Peart described one of the best things about cycling is that is done at "people speed".
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