Joe Feia

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig is a book about values, philosophy, science, religion, humanism and a little bit about motorcycle maintenance. I was initially attracted to it because the author began his trip in my home state of  Minnesota , and as he and his son continued their motorcycle journey across America , I was drawn in by the many and varied topics Pirsig was able to work into the story.  One example he uses is the idea of a Chautauqua, which was the name of old-time traveling tent shows that crossed the country in the days before radio and TV. These Chautauqua’s would edify and entertain, and people would come out to see them for an evening of entertainment and education. This is what Pirsig's famous book is like. You can read it in small segments, and then put it down and think about it for awhile. Or you can take in big doses and think about the story of the author's life as he winds his ideas around the story of a young genius whose struggles with his place in the world leads him down many different paths.  It's a little bit like a Forrest Gump for philosophy. It's also I book that I have read at least once a year for the past twenty-five years. Every time I discover something new to think about and weigh against my latest experiences. This is an unforgettable book.