Rating: 
Summary: A book well worth reading
Review: An interesting exploration of many issues relating to life, ideas, logic and 'quality', set in the context of a long vacation trip on the back of a motorcycle. I first read this book back in 1982. I re-read it recently. I was sad to read in the postscript that Chris had died in the interim period, murdered. It added a lot of meaning to the book.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Mind
Review: I first encountered this book in a university education class a few years after it was released. For some reason, "Zen" was on the required reading list for we aspiring teachers and we all wondered why until we read the book. This book introduced us to the worlds of philosophy, chatauquas, as well as the basic workings of a motorcycle. Pirsig takes us on simultaneous journeys--one across the United States with his son Chris, another as he pursues a higher education of the mind, and lastly one he takes with his son to discover each other for the very first time.
I found the chapter where he examines the idea of Quality with his students to be readily applicable to my own interest in being a teacher. Also, the travel journal parts of the story are
enjoyable in the same way as another traveler's writing--William Least-Heat Moon's "Blue Highways."
The book is also a warning about the dangers of pursuing a life of the mind at the expense of human relationships and living in the real world. The coming together of the father and son at the book's close tells us all how precious and important relationships with our loved ones must come before all else.
A great read twenty-seven years ago and still a classic one here in the twenty-first century.
Rating:
Summary: Read this book and think
Review: This book opens:
And what is good, Phaedrus,
And what is not good--
Need we ask anyone to tell us these things? If you are one of those that can keep your eyes open through this book then it will likely touch your mind and your life for years to come. I first read this work as a high school student in an AP English class where we studied it, discussed it, disected it and taught it to one another. This book taught me how to think. And it taught me I can understand anything if it's written clearly enough and if I'm willing to put some thought into it. Everything in this book interconnects...the characters involved, the setting, the philosophy--decoding the connections (such as wind and heights to phaedrus' appearance) is half the fun. Reading it again after 15 years I find that some of my basic assumptions about the world and life stem from this book. I remember some of Pirsig's babies such as "stuckness" and "gumption" and they are thoughts I've loved to play with over the years. Other ideas--such as the split between eastern and western cultures and various philosophers--have perhaps subtily played with ME through the years. I enjoyed discovering this during my latest re-read. It is so worth the effort to read about Pirsig's views on mechanization, the front windshield being compared to a TV screen, teaching english and so many other things. If you like to think (and why wouldn't you?) you will love this book. That being said,I do feel that Pirsig's logic is flawed. And I enjoyed every step of figuring out why I believe the way I do. This book is a fascinating study into the personality of a proud intellectual grappling with subjectivity. I say, read this book and think.
Rating: 
Summary: First half of book is great, second half disappointing
Review: I read the first half of the book with rapt attention, but when Pirsig starts to call Tao "quality" he is way off. Taoism has absolutely nothing to do with quality, it is literally translated as "The Way." It is roughly equivalent to Zen, which means "Meditation." Tao is undefinable in words, but if I had to I certainly would not describe it with such a capitalistic word. If anything, Tao is mindfulness, being in the present moment rather than in the past or future. I suppose back when the book was written there were not many good Eastern translations for Pirsig to imitate? By today's standards, his thoughts seem rather shallow and trite.
Rating:
Summary: ZM squared
Review: I am suprised at how many people that I have run into who have said that this book has changed their lives. Well, you can chalk up another changed life convert in me. After reading it eight times I lost track of the subsequent number of reads. It seems as if it just gets deeper and deeper with each read. My whole outlook on purpose and meaning in life has been slightly changed after thinking and pondering this book over the last three years; and in a good way. Take up the challenge of this book and see what all the fuss is about. I mean this book has its own online philosophy chat room/website dedicated to the real zealots of the cause! (www.moq.org) I imagine if you look hard enough you will even find a Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance church somewhere.
Rating:
Summary: philosophical time capsule
Review: I read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance for the first time a couple of years after it was published, when the eye-catching pink paperback cover was new to bookstores (I remember my parents talking about that bold color while we were on our own long trip of some kind). At that time, I was more or less the same age as the son of the book's narrator, Phaedrus, and of course I could not help but interpret the story from the younger man's perspective: this was an adventure story about a cross country trip, a boy learning about his father, an introduction to a life led by beliefs rather than instinct. Now, as an adult, I see things through Phaedrus' eyes -- which is to say author Robert Persig's eyes, since in terms of concepts (if not geography) it is considered autobiographical -- and I can recognize many of Phaedrus' musings and thoughts as those of a man who is at once confident of and also seeking his place in the world. The book is best known as a tribute or sequel to Henry David Thoreau's Walden, which Phaedrus refers to at several points. Others have pointed out, for example, that the protagonist's long (and not too interesting) discussion of what he carries in his knapsack recall Mr. Thoreau's own endless lists of the materials used to build his lakeside shack or the seeds he planted for his sustenance. But there is much more to this book than that. The provocative blend of Eastern and Western thought, the way he generalizes regarding his philosophical predecessors (and gets some things wrong), the conclusions he draws and the way he sometimes fails to follow his own advice -- they blend to create a picture of an intelligent, complex, and flawed character. Not unlike many of the book's readers. Maybe that is a key to the book's lasting impact -- at least to this point. Like Walden, the book has practically become an icon in the decades since it was published. A quick scan on Amazon reveals dozens of books using the title Zen and the Art of something ... of knitting ... of making a living ... of archery ... of falling in love ... of poker ... of day trading ... even of the actual maintenance of motorcycles. But unlike Walden, I think the high water mark for Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance has come and gone. It was an interesting and compelling re-read for me -- as it would no doubt be for others -- but as I worked through it I started to realize that much of its appeal was as a philosophical time capsule, a glimpse at a time when the globalization of ideas was still new, when East and West were further apart than they are today. Take that away and most of what is left is an adventure story about a cross country trip, a boy learning about his father, an introduction to a life led by beliefs rather than instinct. And that's not so hard to find elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Riding on the Yellow Line
Review: Hehe, get the pun in the title there? Riding...writing...no takers? Eh, I thought it was clever, anyway. You know, reviews on this book tend to sort themselves into two camps, the five stars and the one stars. G'head, look, I'll wait. Back? Well I gave it three stars. Yeah yeah, I know, "just to be different". Actually, the score isn't what I personally had in mind; I wanted a 5i to keep with the whole theme of reevaluation of standards (5i would be an imaginary number, for all you non-math majors), but a regular three stars is all I can get away with. The problem I've got is that neither camp seems to understand the underlying point. Those that hate it tend to attack some of the pointedly irrational reasoning as an intellectual cop-out, and then go about logically deconstructing his argument by showing his dialectic errors and yada yada yada. Yes, he makes a logically unsound argument; Pirsig comes right out and says it, and that may very well be a cop-out. But which is worse, the philosopher who retreats into these illogical defenses or his attackers who don't have the balls to follow him and defeat him on his own ground? The way to effectively win a debate is to turn your opponent's argument back upon itself, not to run back to your own incomplete abstractions. Example: don't use words like "substantive" and "subjective" (which Pirsig goes to great pains to redefine) and apply the Webster's definition to them. It's just weak. Someone in one such review said on the dichotomy of subjective and objective that "there is in fact only one, the objective; the subjective refers to the fact that we can only see one portion of the objective universe." First, even in traditional definitions of these terms, this is NOT true. Just go to a crazy house, or better yet, just pay attention the next time you're dreaming; the subjective is EVERYTHING. If it wasn't, you wouldn't be on Amazon writing an opinion because there would be no opinion, only objectivity. Duh. Kant knew this, Freud knew this, and so did everyone before and after them. Second, the very argument proposed is a redefinition of these terms; to go back to the old definitions is to simply miss the point--in other words, language like this basically reduces everything else you've said to absolutely nil. Now for the five star camp...oh God. "It really changed my life", "it really had an effect on me", "it really breaks down the system", "it's really original"...what did it REALLY do? Honestly, tell me, I'm dying to hear, because the fact of the matter is that most of the stuff contained in the book is derivative. Some people get the credit that they deserve, like Poincare and Thoreau (and if this isn't a sequel to Walden, I don't know what else it could be). However, the most influential thinkers don't. Nietszche broke down the subject/object dichotomy a LONG time ago and in just this fashion, and even took it a step further; he proposed an entire restructuring not just of thought but of grammar. If the divisions between subject and object are artificial, then so are subject and predicate; therefore, as the subject and object are actually one in the same perceptively, then the subject should not be seperated from the actions he/she/it performs--indeed, those predicate actions are what DEFINES the subject, not the other way around. To make my point, get off the soap-box. You honestly do more to make people shy away than to win any converts. I've read little in this book that is actually original, except maybe the part about a man riding his motorcycle. Now THAT is creative. But for me...sure, I like it. It's been a great read, and the unification of Eastern and Western thought is especially provocative. And whether you like it or not, the fact is that technology has, in some way, caused an alienation in the 20th century in the consumer; Pirsig thought he had an answer, and here it is. Maybe he's wrong, but at least it's a start, and not a wholly bad one either. It's the first time that many concepts (like Zen and Bhudda) have been explained to me in terms that made concrete, relative sense, not just mystic mumbo-jumbo. It tends towards density and boredom sometimes, but I believe Pirsig has a point for this. He invokes Thoreau, who used an extremely similar technique, early on, and in one of my favorite parts elucidates in a VERY tedious manner the various equipment he takes with him on the road, and I couldn't help but be reminded of Thoreau's bean-planting ventures in Walden (especially since Pirsig mentions how boring Thoreau can be right after he's gone on about his knapsack for 5 pages; it's called tongue-in-cheek humor). On the whole, though...just too idealistic, yet again just like Thoreau. But read it for yourself--I do highly recommend it regardless of it's shortcomings--and make your own decision; that's the whole point, not to hear my rant or rave on it. One final point to make to the detractors. *IF* you're going to argue against this book, it's so simple to do that you look like a moron for not doing it. Pirsig says Quality is self-evident, right? And you say that you don't like the book, right? And an understood point that he makes is that Quality is present in this book. Well by God, then that Quality hasn't made itself self-evident, therefore it isn't present to defend itself, and therefore Pirsig's argument is in ruins. See how easy that was?
Rating: 
Summary: Thpppt!
Review: I read this book while riding a train from New Mexico to New Jersey, this seemed an appropriate venue given the subject matter. I had meant to read the book for quite some time, I had heard rave reviews from friends, and I believe that the book had even appeared on one summer reading list I had received in high-school.
I was shocked by how bad the book was. First, as a book, it is gramatically a mess. Normally, this would probably be of little import for a "book of ideas", but Robert M. Pirsig was apparently a professor in a university English Department, consequently, he ought to know better.
However, and more importantly, the substantive content of the novel struck me as not only poorly reasoned, but somehow ominous. Mr. Pirsig initially gets stuck (for lack of a better term) on the fact that he cannot define "quality." He refuses to accept that the term quality is refers to an essentialy subjective measurement. Consequently, he searches for an objective definition of quality. Failing he decides to reject the "dichotomy" which would divide the universe into objective and subjective views, and refuses to give the word any definition. He then decides that quality is the meeting of the objective and the subjective, the moment at which out subjective desired meet the objective universe and cause all creation. The Tao, except formed from human desire.
First, "quality" does in fact refer to a subjective characteristic. Something is considered of high quality if it does what the observers want it to do. Second, I do not think that Mr. Pirsig is justified as characterising modern views on the objective and the subjective as a dichotomy. That would imply two equally valid views of the universe. There is in fact only one, the objective, the term subjective refers to the fact that we can see only a small portion of the objective universe, and only from one angle at a time. The subjective view of reality is not a viewpoint that competes with the objective, it is that incomplete portion of the objective universe to which any person had access.
Finally, Mr. Pirsig's definition of quality struck me as ludicrous. I do not believe that there can be a meeting place between human desires and the objective universe, our desires, like we ourselves, are part of the universe, viewed objectively. Further, it seems the height of arrogance to argue that the motive force behind all creation is our subjective desires. Were that true nothing would have been created prior to human beings, and nothing is being created outside the sphere of our influence. Neither is true.
Finally, I found Mr. Pirsig's style extremely grating. In every instance in which a person dared disagree with him, Mr. Pirsig immediately attributed the fracture either to some secret motive, or to the fact that his opponent lacks the intelectual independence to see the truth. The thought never occurs that his detractors may have a point. Ultimately, I do not think Robert Pirsig was interested in any sort ot dialectic, or any forward moving debate, to do so would require he grant creedence to opposing viewpoints. Mr. Pirsig seeks followers.
All in all, I think the book was pedantic, poorly written and poorly thought. Mr. Pirsig's own ego provides to great a road block to allow him to make any serious inquiries into values, or into anything else.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing!
Review: On the surface, this book is an autobiographical account of a father and son traveling across country on a motorcycle. It's also the story of a man's struggle to come to terms with his past. The storyline, in and of itself, is interesting enough, but there is so much more beneath the surface. A myraid of questions flow through your mind as the book progresses, but Pirsig slowly--often painstakenly--reveals the truth about his characters as he outlines his metaphysics of quality. Now, I'm no philosopher, but there were many instances when it appeared to me that Pirsig was backing himself into a logical corner; however, through his mastery of language (his philosophical specialty is rhetoric) was able to justify his ideas. I suppose the value of this book is determined by how it imacts the reader, so you'll have to read it to "feel" it. After all, as Pirsig expresses, quality exists in everything as a matter of perception. The bottom line, as Pirsig describes it is, "the study of the art of motorcycle maintenance is really a miniature 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." Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Thought-provoking and inspirational
Review: Pirsig's ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE and Kerouac's ON THE ROAD inspired me to hit the highways in this great country. I camped around the U.S. for several months, spent time with people from all walks of life. Along the way, I helped others and others helped me. Pirsig's book encourages healthy introspection, while Kerouac's book promotes extroverted self-exploration. Regardless of your age, if you are independent, read these books and hit the road. You will be delighted with what you discover about yourself and reassured in what you experience with others. When you get home...write about your experiences...there may be a book in there somewhere. Robert John Estko - author of the suspense thriller, EVIL, BE GONE (available on Amazon.com)
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