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Overall, at the end of the book, I was a bit disappointed because Pirsig didn't wrap things up as well as thought he should've, but I still give it five stars because the work is thought-provoking and well written. There are many things to like about this book. It is thought provoking, it contains some excellent insights, and the pace of the story works for the subject matter. Unlike most novels which leave me cold, this one is chock full of philosophical ideas and questions that are important and worth pondering. Paul Gehrman, Author, Kaleidoscope
While first published in 1974, this book is as relevant today (2009) as it was when it was first printed.Written as a "narrated novel," this book delves into the differences, and commonalities, of art and science. Robert M. Pirsig's classic, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values," is an enjoyable, intriguing, and thoughtful publication. Using a cross-country motorcycle trip as a backdrop, Pirsig considers the essence.and limits.of science and compares the field to that of philosophy in broad terms.More than anything else, this book's unique value centers on the questions and perspectives it opens up. While readers can benefit from Pirsig's view on the scientific method, for example, the real "learning" in this publication is that the seemingly disparate viewpoints of art and science can be united in a purposeful and useful manner.This publication enjoys an enduring following and offers much to readers with an interest in learning about philosophy in an applied.and engaging.manner.
I just got this book, because it is one of the favorites of the Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Its a great read about important things in life.
This is one of the hardest books I have ever read. The analogy of climbing the mountain and enjoying the view along the way up and not just at the top was very easy for me to understand, and relatable to training for a fight. There are a lot of difficult concepts in this book and I put it down many, many times because it provoked so much introspective though for me. Pierre for the Welterweight Championship. While it did take me over a year to read the book due to putting it down so much I'm glad I finished it. Jon Fitch said this is the book that helped him become such a successful MMA fighter in the UFC. I decided to pick it up after seeing one of Fitch's pre-fight interviews before his fight with George St. There is a lot of philosophy and Zen in this book and having never studied philosophy in school this was my first exposure to both topics.
After Jon tied the UFC record for victories in a row with 8, I wondered how this book could be so influential. In the book as in many martial arts the focus is on quality instead of winning. The story of Pirsig's trip across the country with his son was a great way to approach many of these more complicated philosophical topics. Reading this book opened up my mind to many new ways of thinking about things.
It is difficult to convey the joy that can be gained from carefully reading and contemplating Pirsig's masterpiece, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." While this is definitely an intellectual exercise, it's perhaps best understood as a meditation on the moments and substance that constitute our experience.Pirsig's assertion is that Quality is both experiential and a source of understanding, therefore superseding traditional dualistic views. The brilliance of this work as a novel is that the reader comes to understand Pirsig's premise not through lecture--which would be an inherently dualistic approach--but instead through the subtle but unmistakable experience of Quality while following its meditative story.That Pirsig teaches by example is a profoundly poetic experience of Quality; and to me, that's the Zen of this work.
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