“That’s what they do in Argentina. Have a little wine and talk. Then have some coffee and talk. Then, go back to the wine.”
From the mountainous north to the Southern Cone, Argentina is the second-largest country in South America and home to 47 million people. Its love of football, Malbec wine and barbecued beef makes it one of the most culturally rich parts of the Americas with a blend of African and European influences inspiring its architecture, art, music and literature. Countless natural wonders are hidden inside its borders, such as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jesuit Block in Córdoba, southern Patagonia’s wilderness of glaciers and mountains, and Tierra del Fuego, known as “The End of the World“. Join us at What We Reading for inspiration ahead of your next South American travel adventure with the best Argentina books!
Backpacking In Argentina: Travel Guide & Trekking Guide For Independent Travelers – Steve Hänisch
Steve Hänisch’s ebook, Backpacking in Argentina, is the ultimate resource for planning a trip across Patagonia to explore the country’s most incredible spots. Based on his multiple trips across the country, Hänisch condenses the most invaluable insights on outdoor activities, places to stay and spots to visit in just 100 pages.
Planning everything from documentation to cultural expectations to tailoring travel guides around Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Iguazu Falls, and El Calafate, Backpacking in Argentina aims to take the hassle out of experiencing the country.
In Patagonia – Bruce Chatwin
In Patagonia is an exhilarating insight into a land many still consider to be an exotic unknown. Bruce Chatwin chronicles his adventures across the region, filling the pages of this travel memoir with vivid descriptions, remarkable historical insights and evocative anecdotes that are sure to fuel your wanderlust.
Described as the “uttermost part of the earth”, In Patagonia brings to life stories of bandits being made to feel welcome, lost ancient legends and log cabins built by Butch Cassidy. An undoubted classic travelogue, Chatwin succeeds in capturing the remote and captivating landscapes of the Argentine Patagonia.
The Motorcycle Diaries – Ernesto Che Guevara
The Motorcycle Diaries is a memoir from socialist revolutionary Che Guevara about his continental motorcycle trip across South America. Undoubtedly one of the most enigmatic and polarising figures of the twentieth century, Che’s lively diary is a New York Times bestseller and a popular movie.
Not only does it capture the life and times of a gigantic figure in the history of the Americas, but also the spirit and essence of the continent he traversed through. With the updated edition including unpublished photos taken by the then-twenty-three-old Che as well as detailed maps of his journey, The Motorcycle Diaries offers an intimate portrait of the man, his life and Latin America, making it one of the best Argentina books for inspiration ahead of your next trip.
The Vineyard At The End Of The World: Maverick Winemakers And The Rebirth Of Malbec – Ian Mount
Argentina is renowned as a utopia for the wine world. Ian Mount offers all wine lovers one of the best Argentina books for understanding how the South American country came to house the finest vineyards and deliver the best-tasting flavours in The Vineyard at the End of the World.
Mount tells the fascinating story of a four-hundred-year history of how the Malbec revolution was forged high in the Andean desert. Profiling a cast of colourful characters and describing in detail the nefarious schemes, innovative business plans and outlandish deeds that helped put Argentine wine back on the map, it is a unique perspective on the country, its inhabitants and one of its greatest exports.
Argentina – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture – Robert Hamwee
A country that has undergone plenty of changes in recent times, with Argentina’s political minefields having a profound impact on its culture, people and relationship with the wider. And yet, through their strength and resilience, the Argentine people have still forged a culture filled with warmth, colour and a unique joie de vivre.
Robert Hamwee’s Argentina – Culture Smart! serves as the ultimate guide to getting to grips with the richness and complexity of Argentine society. From the bustling streets of Buenos Aires to the stunning beauty of glaciers and the Andes Valleys, Hamwee guides travellers, expats and other visitors on how to behave and what to expect from the second-largest country in South America.
Lonely Planet Trekking In The Patagonian Andes – Clem Lindenmayer And Nick Tapp
The Patagonia Andes are some of the most striking and stunning natural landscapes in the world. And, from steaming thermal springs to pristine glaciers, Lonely Planet helps readers discover all there is to see with their essential guide on this truly remote region.
The book has 31 treks across Argentina and Chile, including alternative routes and bonus side trips. The world’s leading authority when it comes to travel planning, Trekking in the Patagonian Andes guides readers with all the must-know information when it comes to transport, accommodation, safety, and equipment as well as insights on how to trek sustainably. With two-colour contour maps and information on local wildlife, it is the essential Argentina book for uncovering the extent of the rugged beauty behind the country.
Buenos Aires: A Cultural And Literary Companion – Jason Wilson
One of the most invaluable Argentina books for getting to the heart of its capital comes from Professor Jason Wilson. In Buenos Aires: A Cultural and Literary Companion, Wilson offers readers an in-depth guide to the cultural, historical and literary legacy of Argentina’s capital city.
Linking its present-day identity with its variants from the past, Wilson weaves through Buenos Aires’ growth from a remote settlement to a massive metropolis. Illuminating the colourful and sometimes contradictory culture of the city, he takes readers on a tour of both renowned and hidden landmarks across the city, delving into the events, people and writing that have made Buenos Aires one of the most culturally rich destinations on the planet.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
