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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values | 
 enlarge | Author: Robert M. Pirsig
Creator: Michael Kramer
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Category: Book
List Price: $49.95
Buy New: $15.98
You Save: $33.97 (68%)
New (18) Used (10) from $2.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  524 reviews
Sales Rank: 963826
Format: Audiobook, Unabridged
Media: Audio Cassette
Edition: Unabridged
Number Of Items: 11
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 6.4 x 4.2 x 2.6
ISBN: 1559275561
Dewey Decimal Number: 917.30492
EAN: 9781559275569
ASIN: 1559275561
Publication Date: June 19, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: ***BRAND NEW***100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED / BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, CONFIRMATION E-MAIL WITH ALL ORDERS, SHIPS DAILYL..
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
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.
Product Description
This lyrical, evocative, thought-provoking journal of a man's quest for truth -- and for himself -- has touched and changed an entire generation. At its heart, the story is all too simple: a man and his son take a lengthy motorcycle trip through America. But this is not a simple trip at all, for around every corner, through mountain and desert, wind and rain, and searing heat and biting cold, their pilgrimage leads them to new vistas of self-discovery and renewal.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is an elemental work that had helped to shape and define the past twenty-five years of American culture. This special audio edition presents this adventure in an exciting new way -- for the millions who have already taken this journey and want to travel these roads again, and for the many more who will discover for the first time the wonders and challenges of a journey that will change the way they think and feel about their lives.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 519 more reviews...
 Blacktop Bible July 24, 2008
Reading it is like catching a bug between your teeth at 70 miles an hour. Surprise at first, then comprehension. A belated thanks to Mr. Pirsig for weaving philosophy, science, engineering, and fatherhood, into an insightful and compelling read.
 good story base July 18, 2008
Thought provoking,
I understand this book was used in many philosophy classes for many years.
It was fun to listen to durring my commute to work.
Being a motorcycle rider, I found it eseptionaly easy to relate to.
Everytime I was getting lost in the mediphisics, the author would get back to the original story to bring back my intrest.
Very well written.
Ernie K. Rivewrside, ca.
 Narcissistic, Pedantic, and Unreadable July 7, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is perhaps the most tedious, pedantic, tiresome, misleading, and intellectually-barren book I have ever had the misfortune of reading. Perhaps the worst thing about this self-absorbed, unreadable rant is that on every page, Persig seems compelled to draw attention away from his text's lack of substance by providing countless misrepresentations of all the great philosophers. Not only does he use language that is dry and uninteresting, but he incorrectly describes nearly all of the philosophers and philosophical systems that he mentions.
Pirsig's book is nothing more than adolescent rambling. On every page, Pirsig arrogantly and vainly tries to portray himself as some kind of synthesis of erudite Western scholar meets wise Eastern sage. Nothing could be further from the truth. One of the most despicable aspects of his pedestrian work of pseudo-philosophical tripe is that he uses his own quasi-philosophical terminology to describe concepts that could better be represented using the terminology of existing systems. He constantly tries to reinvent many philosophical terms, and then misuses other terms. The result is a most confusing and convoluted read, especially if you are already versed in philosophy. Perhaps the saddest thing about Pirsig's mock-literary atrocity is that many people seem to regard Pirsig's arrogant tirade as an introduction to philosophy. Nothing could be further from the truth. The book could potentially serve as a dull introduction to pathetic, narcissistic, schizophrenic authors who manage, through some quirk of fate, to achieve popularity, but that's about it...
my favorite book July 2, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
My father read the book when he was 25 and said it changed his life. I read the book only last year, at 25 as well. It changed my life too, and my perceptions of it. It's a very brilliant piece of work, with such astute commentaries on society, philosophy, and yes, quality. Unfortunately, the title, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, is hard for people to get at first. One friend of mine even thought I was reading manual to learn how to fix motorcycles. But I don't know what else I'd call it.
Boring.. June 23, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought this book because it was required by my English lit teacher!! Required reading!! Anyways, I didn't enjoy this book at all. Not my type, definitely.
But if you are interested in reading this book, just remember, this is one book that you can judge by its cover. It's about exactly what the title indicates. Kind of a novel/bio about a man who gets into motorcycles and becomes philosophical about them. A little bit creepy, not too interesting and even some steamy scenes.
Weird...
and not worth my time.
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