Jessica Mans on the Past, Present, and Future of iOverlander

The Road is set in a world that has been devastated by an unspecified cataclysmic event, resulting in the extinction of nearly all life on Earth. The story follows an unnamed father and his young son as they travel south along the road, carrying their meager possessions and a pistol with only two bullets. The father, suffering from a worsening respiratory condition, is determined to protect his son from the dangers of their new world, including cannibalistic marauders. Along their journey, they encounter various survivors, some of whom are cruel and others who show kindness. The novel explores themes of love, survival, and the preservation of humanity in a world devoid of hope. Ultimately, the father's health fails, and he dies, but not before ensuring his son's safety with a new family who may offer a chance for a better future.

The Motorcycle Diaries is a posthumously published memoir of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, recounting his 1952 journey across South America with his friend Alberto Granado. The book chronicles their adventures on a vintage Norton motorcycle, their interactions with various cultures, and the profound impact of witnessing social injustices, such as the exploitation of mine workers and the plight of lepers. This journey was formative in shaping Guevara's revolutionary sensibilities and his views on social change and Pan-Americanism.