Arguably one of the most profoundly important essays ever written on the nature and significance of "quality" and definitely a necessary anodyne to the consequences of a modern world pathologically obsessed with quantity. Although set as a story of a cross-country trip on a motorcycle by a father and son, it is more nearly a journey through 2,000 years of Western philosophy. For some people, this has been a truly life-changing book.

George Steiner, The New Yorker
It lodges in the mind as few recent novels have...The book is inspired, original...the narrative tact, the perfect economy of effect defy criticism. The analogies with Moby Dick are patent. Robert Pirsig invites the prodigious comparison. What more can one say?


"The book is inspired, original...the narrative tact, the perfect economy of effect defy criticism. The analogies with Moby-Dick arepatent."


"A miracle . . . sparkles like an electric dream."

From AudioFile
Although more than twenty years have passed since the book's original publication, Pirsig's philosophies on technology and science, nature and love still offer much to this generation. Lawrence Pressman's delightful performance conveys the author's deep awareness and self-discovery. The combination of the book's vivid imagery and Pressman's contemplative delivery help ease the listener into Pirsig's lesson: we should pay less attention to "what things mean," more attention to "what they are." R.A.P. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

ANNOTATION

The extraordinary story of a man's quest for truth. It will change the way you think and feel about your life The cycle you're working on is a cycle called 'yourself,' Robert M. Pirsig says. The study of the art of motorcycle maintainence is really a 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. The book details a cross-country motorcycle trip by a man and his 11-year-old son, as well as his quest for truth.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The modern epic that transformed a generation and continues to inspire millions — a penetrating examination of how we live and how to live better.

A narration of a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by a father and his son, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance becomes a personal and philosophical odyssey into fundamental questions of how to live. The narrator's relationship with his son leads to a powerful self-reckoning, the craft of motorcycle maintenance leads to an austerely beautiful process for reconciling science, religion, and humanism. Resonant with the confusions of existence, this classic is a touching and transcendent book of life.

This new edition is updated with important typographical changes, a penetrating new introduction, and a Reader's Guide that includes an interview with Pirsig and letters and documents detailing how this extraordinary book came to be.

About the AuthorRobert M. Pirsig was born in 1928 in Minneapolis. He studied chemistry and philosophy (B.A., 1950) and journalism (M.A., 1953) at the University of Minnesota and also attended Benares Hindu University in India where he studied Oriental philosophy. He is also the author of a sequel to this book, entitled Lila.

SYNOPSIS

The extraordinary story of a man's quest for truth. It will change the way you think and feel about your life The cycle you're working on is a cycle called 'yourself,' Robert M. Pirsig says. The study of the art of motorcycle maintainence is really a 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. The book details a cross-country motorcycle trip by a man and his 11-year-old son, as well as his quest for truth.

FROM THE CRITICS

New York Times

Profoundly important... full of insights into our most perplexing contemporary dilemmas... It is intellectual entertainment of the highest order.

New Yorker

It lodges in the mind as few recent novels have... The book is inspiredoriginal... As the mountains gentle toward the sea—with father and child locked in a ghostly grip—the narrative tactthe perfect economy of effect defy criticism... The analogies with Moby Dick are patent. Robert Pirsig invites the prodigious comparison... What more can one say?"

Village Voice

It's a miracle.. sparkles like an electric dream. Freshnessoriginality... that seduces you into loving motorcyclesas tender in their pistons as the petals in the Buddah's dawn lotus.

New York Times Book Review - New York Times

Profoundly important... full of insights into our most perplexing contemporary dilemmas... It is intellectual entertainment of the highest order.

AudioFile - Rachel Astarte Piccione

Although more than twenty years have passed since the book￯﾿ﾽs original publication, Pirsig￯﾿ﾽs philosophies on technology and science, nature and love still offer much to this generation. Lawrence Pressman￯﾿ﾽs delightful performance conveys the author￯﾿ﾽs deep awareness and self-discovery. The combination of the book￯﾿ﾽs vivid imagery and Pressman￯﾿ﾽs contemplative delivery help ease the listener into Pirsig￯﾿ﾽs lesson: we should pay less attention to what things mean, more attention to what they are. R.A.P. ￯﾿ﾽAudioFile, Portland, Maine Read all 9 "From The Critics" >

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