Rating: 
Summary: A masterpiece of depth and insight
Review: This is the most enlightening book I have ever read. The motorcycle trip is the perfect analogy for our modern society. Throughout the book, Pirsig tears down conventional Western thinking and shows us not only only the problems of society in the past and present, but also shows us the solutions. It does not say "The world is a mess, what should we do?", and leave it at that like so many books, but provides us with many answers to problems with government, education, and our daily lives. Everyone should read this book
Rating:
Summary: Will leave a large impact crater on your psyche. Stunning.
Review: This book falls outside any established genre. It is simply unique and utterly compelling. It will quietly dig deep into your mind before blowing it apart (more completely than with the best of mind-expanding drugs) with simple truths about life. Truths which we all instinctively *know* to be true.
A man travels by motorbike with his son Chris, across the American landscape, searching; for a link to a past he can barely remember; for a link to a son he doesn't really know. In a body that once belonged to someone else.
Embrace this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Rating:
Summary: Another Vote for this Modern Classic
Review: The text begins simply. Pirsig's casual style
conveys each action and thought in real time,
enabling the reader to forget that s/he is reading a book. When you get carried away
in his discussion, you are as surprised as
the narrator when his cycing partners catch
up to him, breaking his concentration, reminding
him that they have missed a turn. This writing style is amazing. Later the discusions become
more involved, requiring a much deeper consideration by the reader. I was able to embrace Pirsig's direction much better on the
second read.
One of the best books I've ever read
Rating:
Summary: It is Zen at its original
Review: A serious and beautiful effort on providing insights into the concept of "quality". I enjoyed it thoroughly.
I feel that the attitude of Mr. Pirsig and his alter-ego protagonist Phaedrus have many things in common with a Zen practitioner. The motorcycle, by the way, is his modern-day lotus flower.
Rating:
Summary: Every page is a spiritual experience.
Review: Pirsig teaches with a quiet, unassuming example. He searches for peace in a way that gives it to him every step of his journey. The most significant book I have ever read, and one of the few 'great books' that lives up to its legendary reputation
Rating:
Summary: This book wakes you out of your intellectual slumber.
Review: Pirsig has uncovered the masks which have shielded the concept of "Quality" from all of our eyes. He demonstrates a purity of thought which just may have uncovered the root of life. I cannot say I fully understand his book(I have only read it twice), but Pirsig has hit upon a concept of life that has robbed me of my security and my serenity but at the same time has brought me a deeper understanding of my life and myself. Your perception of the world WILL change after you read this book. This has to be the cheapest therapy around
Rating:
Summary: It is a beautiful book, but it is not a novel.
Review: This a favourite book of mine, and I want to say
that it is not a novel, but a very straightforward
and honest account of Pirsig's life, a new philosophical
system he had created, and a journey he made with his son and friends.
Rating:
Summary: 20th Century Sophism, or Greatest Metaphysical Philosophy?
Review: As a philosopher, Pirsig has gained very little recognition, even though his book has been around for 23 years. You will not find his name or his work anywhere within philosophical encyclopedias, or any other kind of encyclopedia for that matter. I've wondered for many years why that is the case. It is true that the Metaphysics of Quality is not very compatible with most of the great Western philosophies, but nonetheless, I've found it incredible in scope, vision and depth. It is a book which contains principles applicable to almost anyone, anywhere, anytime here on earth, and its applicability owes much to the fact that it is very simple to read, though the ideas it explores - especially when dealing with Kant and Poincare - can become mind-boggling; fortunately this is not the case when it discusses Quality. It is true that Pirsig can sound rather sophistic at times, everyone, even the revered Socrates and Plato, are guilty of that. What really matters is that on the whole, Pirsig can hardly fail to deeply affect anyone who reads him with an open mind. Love it or hate it, this is definitely one of the most important books of the century, if not of all civilization
Rating:
Summary: Pirsig's life-changing literary masterpiece 'ZMM'
Review: This book has the power to change lives...whether you believe Pirsig's philsophy or not. 'Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' is one of the most true books ever written. It is slopping over with brutally honest insight into the human frailties of mind and spirit. By the time you close the cover, you will have learned a little about Western philosophy, Eastern mysticism and yourself. An extraordinary effort
Rating:
Summary: Book of a lifetime...
Review: I don't usually recommend stuff lightly...Neither do I write to urge people to spend money... Zen and the art of motorcyckle maintanance is not a book that is easily reviewed.
If you are looking for thrilling action, you should look for another title, this book might not please you at this time in life.
But it is , by far, the most comprehensive book of living ever written. Everyone should take the time to read it at least once in a lifetime.
It might take a while to grasp all the "consepts" of the author. But they are worth pondering, over and over again!
I have read it half a dozen times...And I will read it again!
I am a teacher for grades one through seven , from Pitea in Sweden. We have had many discussions about "quality" and "what is important in life" , based on the contents of this book among my colleagues.
If you ever wondered about why things are the way they are, or what REALLY matters, or why your neighbor wont wear anything but name brand-
clothing...Try reading Zen and the art of motorcycle maintanance...It's not easily read, But I can't recommend it enough //JOUNI
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