Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values

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Summary: quite possibly the most profound american novel ever written
Review: the most important book i have ever read. take it slowly, be patient. You'll be genuinely touched and probably confused [at first], but ultimately enlightened.

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Summary: A Critique of Values
Review: This is a very good book for anyone who's sick and tired of scientists and positivists shoving their philosophy down everyone else's throats. Pirsig shows that rationality and scientific knowlege are not infallible, and that their world view is based upon many preconceptions about the world we live in juat as any other system of philosophy is. He takes about one hundred pages to begin getting to the point, but oince hed does, the book kept my attention. His argument of a tripartite metaphysics with quality as the first cause is very interesting, but ultimately unconvincing. Nevertheless, the process of the argument itself is somewhat enlightening. It's not as earth shattering as I was lead to beleive, but I was surprised by it; it's worth your time.

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Summary: A truly mind exploring journey.
Review: Phaedrus woke me up so much I now have a sixth sense.It has an intelligent , coherent and an ultimately unique outlook on life. Amazing.

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Summary: Ride of a life-time
Review: This is book that comes just once in a lifetime but it spans the life journey -- and puts it in a perspective. What is good and what is bad? -- once you begin pondering over these issues you may never come to a full conclusion. But this book centres your thinking like no other book has done for me. It's made me think beyond what I would have on my own, and that's surely something. It's also stayed with me, ominously at times, providing an unique strength at other times. A book that I've read more than once, a book that I can open again and again and read from any part. It's a part of me now that I know is a part of me. It's probably the best -- most valuable? -- book I've read. I hope you're lucky enough to read it too and share these feelings.

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Summary: greek philosophy and motor maintenance
Review: There is little, to no Zen in this book. It is the story of a man, who at one time was in a mental hospital, traveling across country with his son on a motorcycle remembering the time that led to his break down. He was, before the break down, a anti-social misfit that passes time questioning everything not for answers but to prove everyone wrong. Then more that half way through the book he decides to ask what is quality? Not a soul stretching question, once he becomes fixed on finding the answer he destroys any quality his family once had. This is not an important book. It is only the story of a selfish man that puts himself above all else in his life. I can see where most of the baby boomers, that believed the "Do for you" "Put your needs first" type of psycho babble, probably thought this book was important. The book discusses more greek philososphy than Zen Budism.

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Summary: Hang in there...it's worth it!
Review: I listened to this on tape and have to admit, I would have struggled to get through if I tried to read it. This book raised some important issues and did it in an entertaining and thought provoking way. I enjoyed the back and forth between past and present, the references to Greek philosophy and the telling of the journey itself. I cared about Phaedrus and his son. After listening to it I did buy the book just to be able to go back over some of the parts that had so many layers. It seems people have a strong reaction to this book because when I asked the bookstore clerk where I could find Zen, another customer joined the conversation to tell me how many times he had read it. This book also caused me (and my books on tape group) to listen to Lila, his follow-up novel which continues Phaedrus' story years later. It was also one of the books the group has listened to that generated the most discussion.

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Summary: Great Book, a real introspective into life.
Review: I thought tha Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was a terrific book that really causes the reader to take a look at their own value system. It takes you into the past and present lif of a man in search of himself and reality. The only thing that kept it from recieving the full five stars was the fact that it tended to get a little slow at times and the writing seemed a little amatuerish. Other than that it was a gem. For me it allowed for a look into who I am compared to who I used to be and who I want to become. I would be very interested in reading more or Robert Pirsig's work. I would also recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a provacative, emotional book. Even if you don't apply it to yourself, it still brings up some worthwhile questions.

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Summary: problematical to assess
Review: This book is among the most problematical for me to assess. On the one hand, it seemed overwhelmingly "honest" to me when I first read it. On the other hand, I've read a great deal of philosophy since then, and the initial book now seems trivial by comparison. The book at least provides stimulus to a reader's thoughts, but then once the reader has grown, he may disavow the original catalyst. The book is too serious for the general reader but too lightweight for a serious student of philosophy. The narrative of the cross-country motorcycle trip is alternately compelling and lackluster. The tone and style of writing is colloquial, which may or may not agree with the reader. Overall, then, I give the book a three-star rating, mainly on account of its quality to stimulate the general reader (and it is the general reader to whom the book is addressed) into thinking about metaphysics and modern society.

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Summary: A journey into the realms of subject-object duality.
Review: Looking over the reviews for this book, I realize that those who were forced to read this book hated it, while those who chose to read this book loved it. In reality, this book receives so many mixed reviews because it is exactly what it's criticizers say it is: long winded. But those who chose to read this book know that such as book is not meant to be read casually, and is not meant to entertain, as some might think. This book was written to be read slowly, thoughtfully, and interestedly. When read in such a manner, the reader who gave this book low ratings will understand why other readers gave it a high rating; and will agree with them. Good Reading...

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Summary: This book sits next to my Bible
Review: For anyone with a spec of spiritual yerning. A way of looking at life without filters and understanding a greater part of everything.