Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Posted by Mike Werner on Jan 28th 2016
| For many the book by Robert Pirsig is a classic. But for many it’s also a discussion issue whether the book is a philosophy book or a motorcycle book. However, according to its author, it’s neither. |
| Robert Pirsig is an American author who used to write computer manuals for a living. He spent four years writing his masterpiece, and even then, no one wanted to publish it. Finally, after trying with 121 publishers, he found one. And it got sold 5 million times! |
| So what is “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An inquiry into Values”? The 418-page book is a book about a person (the author), his son and two friends who are travelling by motorcycle through the USA. It’s a comparison in values between two different styles; self-maintenance of your motorcycle and the “don’t-touch-it-I’ll-leave-it-to-the-pros” style. The author maintains his own motorcycle, his riding buddy does not. |
| So when reading the book, as a motorcycle fan, you understand the fundamental issues he is touching on the motorcycle side. Even if you fall in the latter style category, the “I’m-not-touching-the-bike-for-repairs”, you will still understand concepts like “engine idle” or “rich mixture”. It will make sense to you. |
| If you are someone who likes philosophy, questioning things in life (like” why am I on earth”, or “what is the meaning of life”), the book will make sense to you as well. It’s difference between “romantics” versus “rational” personalities. |
| And if you are a philosophical biker, you’ll be in hog heaven by reading the book. |
| Reading a classic book like this is always recommended. But it’s a long book, and at times deep (although Pirsig does go out of his way to make things simple). It took me a few weeks to finish the book; taking breaks in between chapters, but I’m glad I finished it. And I’m a biker, not a philosopher (my only philosophy is “where is my next meal”). |
| So go out and get yourself a copy if you haven’t read it before. And if you have, let us know what you thought of this iconic book. |