Arguably one of the most profoundly important essays ever written on the nature and significance of "quality" and definitely a necessary anodyne to the consequences of a modern world pathologically obsessed with quantity. Although set as a story of a cross-country trip on a motorcycle by a father and son, it is more nearly a journey through 2,000 years of Western philosophy. For some people, this has been a truly life-changing book.
George Steiner, The New Yorker
It lodges in the mind as few recent novels have...The book is inspired, original...the narrative tact, the perfect economy of effect defy criticism. The analogies with Moby Dick are patent. Robert Pirsig invites the prodigious comparison. What more can one say?
"The book is inspired, original...the narrative tact, the perfect economy of effect defy criticism. The analogies with Moby-Dick arepatent."
"A miracle . . . sparkles like an electric dream."
From AudioFile
Although more than twenty years have passed since the book's original publication, Pirsig's philosophies on technology and science, nature and love still offer much to this generation. Lawrence Pressman's delightful performance conveys the author's deep awareness and self-discovery. The combination of the book's vivid imagery and Pressman's contemplative delivery help ease the listener into Pirsig's lesson: we should pay less attention to "what things mean," more attention to "what they are." R.A.P. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
"An unforgettable trip."
The Village Voice
"A miracle . . . sparkles like an electric dream."
The New Yorker
"The book is inspired, original. . . . The analogies with Moby-Dick are patent."
Baltimore Sun
"It is filled with beauty. . .a finely made whole that seems to emanate from a very special grace."
Time
"An unforgettable trip."
The Village Voice
"A miracle . . . sparkles like an electric dream."
Review
"Profoundly important ... intellectual entertainment of the highest order." -- The New York Times
"Brave wanderings, high adventures, extraordinary risks ... A horn of plenty." -- Los Angeles Times
Book Description
Acclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters, this modern epic became an instant bestseller upon publication in 1974, transforming a generation and continuing to inspire millions. This 25th Anniversary Quill Edition features a new introduction by the author; important typographical changes; and a Reader's Guide that includes discussion topics, an interview with the author, and letters and documents detailing how this extraordinary book came to be. A narration of a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by a father and his son, the book becomes a personal and philosophical odyssey into fundamental questions of how to live. The narrator's relationship with his son leads to a powerful self-reckoning; the craft of motorcycle maintenance leads to an austerely beautiful process for reconciling science, religion, and humanism. Resonant with the confusions of existence, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a touching and transcendent book of life.
From the Publisher
11 1.5-hour cassettes
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values ANNOTATION
The extraordinary story of a man's quest for truth. It will change the way you think and feel about your life
The cycle you're working on is a cycle called 'yourself,' Robert M. Pirsig says.
The study of the art of motorcycle maintainence is really a study of the art of rationality itself. Working on a motorcycle, working well, caring, is to become part of a process, to achieve an inner peace of mind. The motorcycle is primarily a mental phenomenon. The book details a cross-country motorcycle trip by a man and his 11-year-old son, as well as his quest for truth.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
The modern epic that transformed a generation and continues to inspire millions — a penetrating examination of how we live and how to live better.
A narration of a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by a father and his son, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance becomes a personal and philosophical odyssey into fundamental questions of how to live. The narrator's relationship with his son leads to a powerful self-reckoning, the craft of motorcycle maintenance leads to an austerely beautiful process for reconciling science, religion, and humanism. Resonant with the confusions of existence, this classic is a touching and transcendent book of life.
This new edition is updated with important typographical changes, a penetrating new introduction, and a Reader's Guide that includes an interview with Pirsig and letters and documents detailing how this extraordinary book came to be.
About the AuthorRobert M. Pirsig was born in 1928 in Minneapolis. He studied chemistry and philosophy (B.A., 1950) and journalism (M.A., 1953) at the University of Minnesota and also attended Benares Hindu University in India where he studied Oriental philosophy. He is also the author of a sequel to this book, entitled Lila.
SYNOPSIS
The extraordinary story of a man's quest for truth. It will change the way you think and feel about your life The cycle you're working on is a cycle called 'yourself,' Robert M. Pirsig says. The study of the art of motorcycle maintainence is really a study of the art of rationality itself. Working on a motorcycle, working well, caring, is to become part of a process, to achieve an inner peace of mind. The motorcycle is primarily a mental phenomenon. The book details a cross-country motorcycle trip by a man and his 11-year-old son, as well as his quest for truth.
FROM THE CRITICS
New York Times
Profoundly important... full of insights into our most perplexing contemporary dilemmas... It is intellectual entertainment of the highest order.
New Yorker
It lodges in the mind as few recent novels have... The book is inspiredoriginal... As the mountains gentle toward the sea—with father and child locked in a ghostly grip—the narrative tactthe perfect economy of effect defy criticism... The analogies with Moby Dick are patent. Robert Pirsig invites the prodigious comparison... What more can one say?"
Village Voice
It's a miracle.. sparkles like an electric dream. Freshnessoriginality... that seduces you into loving motorcyclesas tender in their pistons as the petals in the Buddah's dawn lotus.
New York Times Book Review - New York Times
Profoundly important... full of insights into our most perplexing contemporary dilemmas... It is intellectual entertainment of the highest order.
AudioFile - Rachel Astarte Piccione
Although more than twenty years have passed since the bookﾽs original publication, Pirsigﾽs philosophies on technology and science, nature and love still offer much to this generation. Lawrence Pressmanﾽs delightful performance conveys the authorﾽs deep awareness and self-discovery. The combination of the bookﾽs vivid imagery and Pressmanﾽs contemplative delivery help ease the listener into Pirsigﾽs lesson: we should pay less attention to what things mean, more attention to what they are. R.A.P. ﾽAudioFile, Portland, Maine
Read all 9 "From The Critics" >
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
It is a towering book...a very major work. — George Steiner
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