On Quality, Robert M. Pirsig
On Quality, Robert M. Pirsig
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On Quality
An Inquiry into Excellence: Unpublished and Selected Writings

Author: Robert M. Pirsig, Wendy K. Pirsig

Narrator: Mark Bramhall, Abby Craden

Unabridged: 2 hr 58 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperAudio

Published: 04/26/2022


Synopsis

Featuring long-awaited selections from Robert M. Pirsig's unpublished writings, from before and after Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, an original collection illuminating the central theme of Pirsig's thought: “Quality”“The ultimate goal in the pursuit of excellence is enlightenment."" —Robert M. Pirsig, 1962More than a decade before the release of the book that would make him famous, Robert M. Pirsig had already caught hold of the central theme that would animate Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: “Quality,” a concept loosely likened to “excellence,” “rightness,” or “fitness” that Pirsig saw as kindred to the Buddhist ideas of “dharma” or the “Tao.” As he later wrote in Zen, “Quality is the Buddha.”Though he was revered by fans who considered him a guru, the famously private Pirsig published only two books and consented to few interviews and almost no public appearances in later decades. Yet he wrote and thought almost continually, refining his “Metaphysics of Quality” until his death in 2017.Now, for the first time, readers will be granted access to five decades of Pirsig’s personal writings in this posthumous collection that illuminates the evolution of his thinking to an unprecedented degree. Skillfully edited and introduced by Wendy K. Pirsig, Robert’s wife of four decades, the collection includes previously unpublished texts, speeches, letters, interviews, and private notes, as well as key excerpts from Zen and the Art of the Motorcycle Maintenance and his second book, Lila.Since its publication in 1974, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance has established itself as a modern classic of popular philosophy; selling millions of copies and inspiring a generation, while serving as a perennial touchstone for the generations that follow. On Quality is a remarkable contribution to our understanding of one of the most influential thinkers and writers of our time.

About Robert M. Pirsig

Robert M. Pirsig (1928–2017) is the author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which has sold more than five-million copies since its publication in 1974, and Lila, a finalist for the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. He graduated from the University of Minnesota (B.A., 1950; M.A., 1958) and attended Benares Hindu University in India, where he studied Eastern philosophy, and the University of Chicago, where he pursued a PhD in philosophy. Pirsig’s motorcycle resides in the Smithsonian Institution.

About Wendy K. Pirsig

Wendy K. Pirsig is an archivist who lives in New England. She was married to Robert M. Pirsig from 1978 until his passing.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Łukasz on May 03, 2022

Mostly excerpts from "Zen" and "Lila", with some new letters and notes on Quality. The new parts are interesting but they wouldn't be nearly enough for a standalone publication, hence the filler from previous books. All in all an interesting read but if you read the two books before, this won't be n......more

Goodreads review by Tom on May 04, 2022

Interesting trip inside an obsessed mind. Sometimes an idea grabs ahold of you and won’t let go until you follow the Rabbit Trail wherever it leads until you have explored its every nook and cranny. This is what happened to Pirsig and this little book is a diary of his journey. Reading brief snippet......more

Goodreads review by John on January 01, 2023

This book suffers from problems of coherence and consistency. Some of the introductory biographical material is good, as it helps to put his story into perspective. The remainder and bulk of the book consists of snippets of material from 'Zen' and Lila, with excerpts from letters and notes as well. O......more

Goodreads review by Matt on February 08, 2024

strange editing. felt all too copy and pasted together in a way that hampered the depth......more

Goodreads review by Chris on March 05, 2024

I used to feel bad that I’d never read Pirsig’s famous book Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance because I love Buddhist philosophy. After reading On Quality, I feel far less bad about it. Quality is an interesting topic, and I was interested in a book with a philosophical look at it, but this......more