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Summary: Zen and the Angst of Modern Life-Maintenance
Review: Of all the angst in modern life, the principal manner of thought with which we most often struggle is that of the seemingly limited choice we face between only one action(thing) or another(thing): does one marry or remain single?; does one raise a family or remain childless?; does one fight or accept peacefull compromise? Deeper still is the troubling notion that people may now more regulary unconsciously view others as either objects or subjects, rather than the multi-dimensional, holistic beings we really are.Pirsig's basic tale--yet profoundly philosophical insight--about an undefined essence called "quality" being the true force behind all decisions of man or nature, offers a unique alternative to the way we have classically limited our attitutes to the "yes or no" solution. How ironic it is, also, to read Pirsig's insightful exposition of how history's renowned Greek philosophers both enlightened and elevated the western mind while trapping it, at the same time, in a cognitive subject-object division that we rely-on today. The essential "paradigm shift" in thought and attitude suggested by "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" will become far more meaningfull in this 21 century, as people grow ever more technologically dependent, and simultaneously emotionally-isolated, from one another. This book is an essential read for both the less-engaged, as well as, the deepest of thinkers among us. And like the Zen concept of Mu(that non-thing in the middle)which Pirsig speaks about, it can offer insights for all of us "somewhere in the middle" people, also.
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Summary: I Don't Get It
Review: I'm sorry, I just don't get it. I think this book is over rated. Maybe if I read the whole thing it would have changed the way I think and feel about my life, but after forcing myself through ¾ of the book I said "that's all I can stands I can't stands no more." This book isn't about Zen or motorcycle maintenance, it's about a guy on a motorcycle trip with his son trying to find the truth about his life. Just too much philosophizing for me.
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Summary: This book is a joke...
Review: This is a layman's, cop-out guide to philosophy... what a joke. Want a nice, abridged history of a beautiful subject, read this, I guess.... But how can you sum up 2000 years of thought in a few hundred pages? Classic America... take the low road, read as little as possible, take the easy way out... whatever is easier... I think things like this in like are rediculous... I kept waiting for it to go deep, I mean really deep. It never did.
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Summary: A classical book I keep returning to.
Review: This is one of the books I keep returning to, like Catch 22, The Dilbert Principle, Alice in Wonderland, etc. And the reason I return to this book, is that every time I can find a whole new facet that didnt speak to me before. E.g. the first time, the philosophy interested me, the next time the father-son relationships, the next time the changes the hero goes through, etc. It's more than a book about philosophy, quality, a trip through nature, or some other single issue - it's a book about life at large, which is why I think it's a true classic book. I like discussing this book with people - I always get another angle on the book, which also tells me something about the person, as what he finds interesting in the book gives me a glimpse into his character and interests. It's not an easy or quick book to read, but it's more than worth the time spent reading & rereading it.
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Summary: Great. Must read. I will read it again.
Review: I had heard a lot about this book since I was in grade school, but could never get around to reading it. I finally did read it a couple of years back and I dont know how to express how it went. All I can say is that one must read it. In brief, and only one way of looking at this one is, he is trying to define quality. But that is just a small part of the whole. He is very observant and its a great mix of philosopy with what we feel and he does a great job in patching the rest up. The best part is that its a story and not some text on philosopy. I like his writing style and you will notice all the thought he put into every small detail. Its very carefully written. I particularly liked his expression of gumption. Read it. You wont regret it.
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Summary: Rings true
Review: This book obviously rings true in the hearts and minds of many people. I don't agree with some of the things in it, and think that maybe there is even a better word for the book's central concept than "Quality" (though I can't think of one--maybe that's part of its indefineability.) That fact remains however, that he awakened in me a way of looking at the world that changes everything. Baseing actions and viewpoints on the "quality" in things can save a lot of wasted effort in life, and make that life much more enjoyable. That, I think is the book's greatest point, and what I took from it. Pirsig tried to write his book as a classic, and I think he succeeded.
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Summary: WARNING - THIS BOOK WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Review: Reading this book is a life-altering experience. I first read this book 12 years ago, and I have read it, re-read it, and re-read it, and re-read it. I keep coming back to the simple wisdom, the simple truths, and the simple elegance of this book. It is worth every penny, every page, every minute. I found the artificial dichcotomy between the subjective and objective to be a bit simplistic, but for the purposes of Pirsig's argument, they served a useful purpose. This is a book for seekers; while it asks more questions than it answers, the answers it gives are profound and worthwhile.
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Summary: A Philosophy Textbook Disguised as a Novel
Review: Quick Sum: If you are interested in reading a very interesting look into philosophy, then this is the most palatable way to do it without taking a night course. Longer Sum: The hero of this story once went insane as a graduate student as he searched for the answer to "What is quality?". The further he thought about and researched this question the further he felt that modern life, and modern thinking, was derailed from its true path thousands of years ago as Aristotlean thought won out over competing schools (Aristotle apparently loved putting things into categories and tree like structures. "Good" was beneath "Truth" but above "Rhetoric", that sort of stuff). When philosophy was first "created" it was decided that things were to be broken down into subjects and objects: things, and the observations of things. The hero's revelation was that Quality was neither subjective (that is, it resided inside the object regardless of what our opinion of it was) nor objective (it was whatever "we liked"), rather it was something that -gave rise- to things and the observations of things: in other words, Quality wasn't subjective or objective, it preceeded both and -created- them. So our current way of thinking - that things break down into subjects and objects, (romantic and classic), and start from there, is fatally flawed he felt. After the hero went insane years back he was subjected to shock treatments that wiped out his personality and most of his memory. As he travels across country in the present with his son (who he also worries has mental problems) his reflections on motorcycle maintenance and the benefits that categorizing the parts and the careful maintenance procedures give rise to old memories - he disliked Aristotle who believed in that sort of thing, yet here he has come around to that view from a different angle - that ultimately starts him down the same road to mental illness he went down before. But as he travels down this road to mental illness again he rediscovers his old self so he doesn't want to veer off it. Which self is the real him? While the book was very enoyable on different levels, I did have some problems with its underlying premise. Why Quality? When you go into such infinite detail as he does concerning philosophy you can just as easily ask "What is Harmony?" or "What is Purity?" or "What is Resonance?" and make the same academic conclusions. Also, his original idea to leave Quality undefined is just like saying "I can't define pornography but I know it when I see it". What's up with that? It's like doing a mathematical proof where you start with "OK, division by zero is now OK, let's see where that leads me". So the idea of going insane looking into Quality strikes me a little funny. OK, OK, it wasn't Quality itself that did it to him rather it was his feeling that current thought was all wrong, so alright. So overall I fully recommend this book if you're looking for something intelligent and engaging - food for real thought.
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Summary: The Exceptions Prove the Rule
Review: I read this book the year it was originally published, attracted no doubt by the word Zen in the title. Conversant with philosophy and especially Taoism, I found the book's subject matter interesting and thought provoking. I especially liked the tension Pirsig created with the confrontation between the college professor and the protangonist, Phaedrus. I likened it to a confrontation between an atheist and a minister who has lost his faith yet keeps on preaching in the face of his own doubt. I reread the book recently and then began looking through the various reviews logged at this site. The greatest recommendation for this great book comes from those who give it the lowest rating. As in so much of life, the ones in most need of understanding are least prepared to find it. The reasons they list for not liking the book are the very reasons it should be read. Does that sound zen-like? ZAMM is one of the great books of all time. Enjoy.
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Summary: A SLIGHT BREEZE AT SUNRISE
Review: Through his writting, Mr. Pirsig shows what wonderous joy is possible to have in one's life. As a long time and long distance rider I really appreciate this book. Another book which I trully appreciate is by Ariel & Shya Kane called "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK." The Kanes' book is a classic one that guides you in creating an easy, fulfilling and rich life. The Kanes' also have some great audio tapes available such as Magical Relationships, which bring the listener right into one of their inspiring and fun seminars.
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