Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values

I thought I had a pretty good idea of what this book would be ahead of time. It’s one of those cult classics that appears again and again in the less mainstream reading lists of people who seem to have an extra thoughtful bone or two than most in their body.

The central theme would certainly revolve around the “universe in a grain of sand” of eastern religions, trying to connect the Oneness of the Tao to something so western by juxtaposition, motorcycle maintenance. Flow states, the beauty of losing yourself in the mundane and making it always a singular, fully present experience and immersion with what is mostly just a chore. I was familiar with most of these ideas as they appear occasionally as a glaze in other works.

I’m glad I went in thinking I knew. I’m glad I had these preconceptions. Being so wrong and watching the absolute evaporation of what I thought I knew as this book just evolved and surprised, flying higher and higher and taking more sharp, strange turns left me all the more speechless until I gave up trying to anticipate and just enjoyed the experience.

This work might not be for everyone. Any such utterly unique work of this level of craftsmanship and complete disregard for connection to the common thread of thought (the mythos, or zeitgeist, if you will) is naturally going to lose more than a few people.

I don’t know where I’m going with this review. This was the first book I’ve ever read that truly, genuinely surprised me.
I can usually connect the dots of an authors theme or thesis and see where they are going, extrapolating on their stated thesis with what I already know to be true or widely believed in their field, and only read on in the hopes something completely unexpected will appear or for the extra flesh they add to the framework.

Not so here. Again and again the ride took me into a new and beautiful territory, yet this territory felt like home the second I saw it.

Maybe I need more time to think about things before posting a real review. All I can really say, and this may be a purely personal point of view, is that this is the single most important and incredible book I have ever read.

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 inspiring book. This modern epic of a man's search for meaning became an instant bestseller on publication in 1974, acclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters. It continues to inspire millions.

a little over my head but worth the read and the journeys in thought

This is not an easy read. It’s very dense but it’s an important philosophical work.

Ever want to experience the mental illness/breakdown of a philosopher? Also need a few motorcycle maintenance tips? This is the book for you. Some talk about mindfulness and zen as well but not the main topic in my opinion.

Spoiler alert. My hard copy is an original copy. My digital loan from the library had a 10-year anniversary edition "Afterword" that totally devastated me.