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Synopsis
Few books transform a generation and then establish themselves as touchstones for the generations that follow. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is one such book. Years in the writing and rejected by 121 publishers, this modern epic of a man's search for meaning became an instant bestseller upon publication in 1974. Acclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters, it continues to inspire millions of readers. This 25th Anniversary Edition features a penetrating new Introduction by Robert Pirsig, in which he reveals his original intention about the book's controversial ending, as well as important typographical changes reflecting his ideas.
An autobiography of the mind and body, the book is a narration of a motorcycle trip taken by a father and his eleven-year-old son; a summer junket that confronts mortal truths on the journey of life. As the miles pass, the mind expands, and the narrator's tale covers many topics, from motorcycle maintenance itself through a search for how to live, an inquiry into "what is best," and the creation of a philosophical system reconciling science, religion, and humanism.
Unwanted and unbidden is the narrator's confrontation with a ghost: his former self, a brilliant man whose search for truth drove him to madness and death. This ghost, Phaedrus, haunts the narrator as he and his son visit places where they once lived. And, too, he confronts his deteriorating relationship with his son, who has himself been diagnosed as suffering the beginning symptoms of mental illness.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance speaks directly to the confusions and agonies of existence. In his intimate detailing of a personal and philosophical odyssey, Robert M. Pirsig has written a touching, painful, and ultimately transcendent book of life.
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Review
"Profoundly important...full of insights into our most perplexing contemporary dilemmas."--New York Times
"A miracle . . . sparkles like an electric dream."--The Village Voice
"It is filled with beauty. . .a finely made whole that seems to emanate from a very special grace."--Baltimore Sun
"An unforgettable trip."--Time
"The book is inspired, original. . . . The analogies with Moby-Dick are patent."--The New Yorker
Book Description
James Purefoy stars in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Robert M. Pirsig’s multi-million bestselling philosophical novel
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherWilliam Morrow
- Publication date1974
- ISBN 10 0688002307
- ISBN 13 9780688002305
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages412
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance : An Inquiry into Values
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers, 1974
ISBN 10: 0688002307
ISBN 13: 9780688002305
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
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Condition: Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 13435657-75
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance : An Inquiry into Values
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers, 1974
ISBN 10: 0688002307
ISBN 13: 9780688002305
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 4406002-6
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Stock Image
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance : An Inquiry into Values
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers, 1974
ISBN 10: 0688002307
ISBN 13: 9780688002305
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP14530819
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance : An Inquiry into Values
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values
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Condition: Good. Book is in Used-Good condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain limited notes and highlighting. 1.1. Seller Inventory # 0688002307-2-4
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values (Hardcover)
Published by
William Morrow & Company, New York, NY, 1974
ISBN 10: 0688002307
ISBN 13: 9780688002305
New
Hardcover
Seller: CitiRetail, Stevenage, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. Few books transform a generation and then establish themselves as touchstones for the generations that follow. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is one such book. Years in the writing and rejected by 121 publishers, this modern epic of a man's search for meaning became an instant bestseller upon publication in 1974. Acclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters, it continues to inspire millions of readers. This 25th Anniversary Edition features a penetrating new Introduction by Robert Pirsig, in which he reveals his original intention about the book's controversial ending, as well as important typographical changes reflecting his ideas. An autobiography of the mind and body, the book is a narration of a motorcycle trip taken by a father and his eleven-year-old son; a summer junket that confronts mortal truths on the journey of life. As the miles pass, the mind expands, and the narrator's tale covers many topics, from motorcycle maintenance itself through a search for how to live, an inquiry into "what is best," and the creation of a philosophical system reconciling science, religion, and humanism. Unwanted and unbidden is the narrator's confrontation with a ghost: his former self, a brilliant man whose search for truth drove him to madness and death. This ghost, Phaedrus, haunts the narrator as he and his son visit places where they once lived. And, too, he confronts his deteriorating relationship with his son, who has himself been diagnosed as suffering the beginning symptoms of mental illness. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance speaks directly to the confusions and agonies of existence. In his intimate detailing of a personal and philosophical odyssey, Robert M. Pirsig has written a touching, painful, and ultimately transcendent book of life. Acclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters, this modern epic became an instant bestseller upon publication in 1974, transforming a generation and continuing to inspire millions. This 25th Anniversary Quill Edition features a new introduction by the author; important typographical changes; and a Reader's Guide that includes discussion topics, an interview with the author, and letters and documents detailing how this extraordinary book came to be. A narration of a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by a father and his son, the book 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, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" is a touching and transcendent book of life. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780688002305
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance : An Inquiry into Values
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers Inc, 1974
ISBN 10: 0688002307
ISBN 13: 9780688002305
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values
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Condition: Good. Buy with confidence! Book is in good condition with minor wear to the pages, binding, and minor marks within 1.1. Seller Inventory # bk0688002307xvz189zvxgdd
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers Inc, 1974
ISBN 10: 0688002307
ISBN 13: 9780688002305
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PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # WB-9780688002305
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