Rating: 
Summary: You get what you expect to get
Review: ZTAMM was assigned for a graduate level health class because the psychology prof had fallen under its spell in 1974. That was my first exposure to its apparent paradox. Now I am in my turn assigning the book to my classes in diversity. The description of Pirsig's descent into mental illness is what I want my class to get from it. So few people are able to describe how the mentally ill may view the world that the few descriptions that exist offer a valuable tool to those of us who work with mentally ill on a daily basis. As R.D. Laing pointed out, to understand the "journey" a person takes into mental illness is not to become lost in their construction of reality but to develop a greater empathy for them and their families. . A reading partner may help because discussion definitely promotes understanding. Philosophy, English literature instruction, Zen, technology, motorcycle nuts and bolts, father-son relationship--read the book for whatever you can get from it--do not write ZTAMM off as not worth your time.
Rating: 
Summary: This Cycle Sputters
Review: This book was nothing but trouble for me, and perhaps it was because I hadn't expected it to be such a heavy work of philosophy. There are moments when the book is more of a narrative, but by and large, it's a philosophy book in the guise of fiction. It's much higher quality than something like The Celestine Prophecy, but not exactly unlike it in the way it wants you to see the world in a different way.I got 2/3 through it and that's all. Most people who read this book seem to love it, so my reaction seems to be atypical. But hey, a reaction is a reaction. - SJW
Rating:
Summary: Why is this book important?
Review: Seeing from the sheer amount of reviews on amazon for this book, I don't know if there is much point in me adding my review to this. But still I would like to say a few things about this book. It is quite simply the best book I have ever read. I should clarify that it is the best book in my opinion, since it was exactly what I needed, when I came across it. It changed my life and gave me new insight and direction in life. It taught me that life isn't all fruitless and futile! All the intellectual pursuits and studies I have done after reading this book have been in some way part of this one. It simply connected everything. It has been the most important book in my life. A note about the sequel, LILA. Do read it. It is a must read after reading this book. Although, poorly written, LILA is a much clearer and down-to-earth philosphy compared to ZMM. It can be better applied to the world, as we know it. ZMM on the other hand gives the reader a complete perspective on things, which is of course of a higher "value".
Rating: 
Summary: Think and think again
Review: ZATAOMM is a philosophical train of thought to question the meaning behind the meaning. 'Quality' is the term that Robert Pirsig uses to explain the unexplainable. If the previous sentence sounds too philosophical then skip this book. 'Zen and the Art' is a brilliant explanation not only about the source of happiness, but also about the source of the thought where happiness was formed. It gives me encouragement to realise that sitting in a classroom with teachers whose purpose is to indoctrinate not to teach and learn together may not be the ideal growth experience.
I completed my reading of the book last night and many of the ideas, morals and guidance are yet to sink in. ZATAOMM is a classic and beautiful narration for the philosophically minded.
Rating:
Summary: A thought provoking and well constructed novel
Review: A modern masterpiece! Far too many novels these days get away with appearing "deep" by importing some cheap dime-store ponderings (I won't name any names). But this book is different. It is different because it is genuinely "deep". The issues brought up are both sound and interesting. Moreover, the ideas Pirsig toys with are carefully put together. Nowhere in this book is he sloppy or thoughtless. He is in full control of his writing throughout the entire journey. I recommend that you read this book thoughtfully. Otherwise, you are bound to miss the layered allegories and metaphors that Pirsig works so well within. And, if you have the time, I recommend pulling out the old college textbooks and rereading Plato's' "Phaedrus" and then, if you still have the time, Plato's "Meno". Understanding these venerable text will give you great insight into what Pirsig is doing with the shape of the story. If you miss this, you miss the beauty of this modern masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: A thought provoking and well constructed novel
Review: A modern masterpiece! Far too many novels these days get away with appearing "deep" by importing dime-store ponderings. But this book is different. It is different because it is genuinely "deep". The issues brought up are both sound and interesting. Moreover, the ideas Pirsig toys with are carefully put together. Nowhere in this book is he sloppy or thoughtless. He is in full control of his writing throughout the entire journey. I recommend that you read this book thoughtfully. Otherwise you are apt to miss the layered allegories and metaphors that Pirsig works so well within. And if you have the time I recommend pulling out the old college textbooks and rereading Plato's' "Phaedrus" and then, if you still have the time, Plato's "Meno". Understanding these venerable text will give you great insight into what Pirsig is doing with the shape of the story. If you miss this, you miss the beauty of this modern masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Reach into your self
Review: This is an amazing read. Pirsig knows how to dig into your head and pull out questions about you. If this book reflects his own thoughts and behavior, he should be commended for exposing the 'black box' within each of us that rarely gets attention. Occasionally, he rambles on a bit long about Phaedrus, and the story drags a little, but overall, very nice piece of work. This book reaquainted me with my desire to read philosophy. I have since read 'Socrates Cafe', which is also a great read along the same lines.
Rating: 
Summary: Brutally bad
Review: Are you intelligent? If you answered "yes," then this book is for you. Because you're not, and maybe it will help you. If you said anything other than "yes," avoid this book. The reader's guide to this book says that it has something for everybody. This is true. But something for everybody stinks when you think about it as an individual. Who cares what's there for others? What matters is what is there for one individual, and it isn't much. Less than one would get from a ten minute conversation with an intelligent person. For me, there was a section ranting about universities which I quite enjoyed. But that was about ten pages. Wasting hours of time on hundreds of useless pages is absurd. Reading the Tao, a motorcycle handbook, and a seriously flawed psychology textbook will provide far more insight and knowledge in far less time than this book possibly can.
Rating:
Summary: Illogical
Review: Another reviewer said that people who don't like this book would be people who want a lot of action in their novels. Booo! Low blow. I enjoy reading philosophy, but this book was awful. The author is just plain illogical. He draws ridiculous conclusions. If you are going on a journey of the mind, you should not have a guide who is incapable of thinking straight. If you love this book, then you will be very comfortable with illogical statements and I recommend you read a book on logical thinking.
Rating:
Summary: Awful!
Review: Maybe I was expecting too much. What would it focus more on: Zen or motorcycles? I'm interested in both topics, yet this book came nowhere near to satisfying me on either of them. Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance was a huge disappointment for me. I totally concur with the sentiments in the review by the guy from Seattle. I finished this book feeling depressed and disheartened, and all the way through it I wondered why there was hardly any love shown to the author's son. If you want to find out about Zen, buy a copy of Zen made Easy by Timothy Freke. If you're new to bikes, buy magazines or visit your local two-wheeler store and get advice from the experts. I could have gone for a hike, played a round of golf, painted the house or, better still, gone for a ride on a motorcycle - pastimes far more worthy of my time than reading this depressing, prolix book.
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