"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" caused a sensation when it was first published in 1974. The story of the narrator, his son Chris and their month-long motorcycle odyssey from Minnesota to California profoundly affected an entire generation. Both personal and philosophical, this book is a compelling study of relationships, values, madness and, eventually, enlightenment.

While cycling through the western states with his son, a disillusioned American questions the meaning of existence after confronting the ghost of his former, uninstitutionalised self.

"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is an unforgettable trip." --Time

"Disturbing, deeply moving, full of insights ... this is a wonderful book." --Times Literary Supplement

"This book may very well be a profoundly important one--a great one even--full of insights into our most perplexing contemporary dilemmas ... " --New York Times

"I think Mr. Pirsig has written a work of great, perhaps urgent, importance ... Read this book." -- Observer

"A brilliant and original book ... a pathfinding attempt to examine and solve our contemporary ills. Everybody should read it." --Guardian

Robert M. Pirsig was born in 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He holds degrees in chemistry, philosophy, and journalism and also studied Oriental philosophy at Benares Hindu University in India. He is the author of this book's sequal, entitled Lila.

2008-07-11 I need 7 stars!!! ----->-->--,--'--@

Yeah, I am not very good at writting reviews but there you go...

This book is the kind that you borrow, read almost twice, slowly, and then you have to buy it to finish reading it the second time! The adventure, the trip is not just any trip, sprinkled with philosophy, sense of humour, and mechanics. I must say, that I never owned a cycle, and I probably never will, they scare me to death! Although I secretly love see them go past, and I would have so much enjoyed a trip like this with this guy in a classic Harley!! Oh yeah! hehe

Also, the amount of laughter and food for thought in it, and the glow of the main character made me love him dearly very early in the book, is a very caring, sometimes moody character, but his heart is real gold in powder.
I needed to have this book with me, besides my bed at night, or wherever; it is a reminder of how good is to be human after all (with or without greasy hands) ;-P

Summarising LOL, is entertaining, relaxing, and very well written. It is not only a book, for me it has become a friend.