Recognized as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters, this modern epic became an instant bestseller upon publication in 1974 to transform a generation and inspire millions.
This 25th-anniversary quill edition introduces a new introduction by the author; Significant typographical changes; And a Reader's Guide including topics of discussion, an interview with the author, and letters and documents detailing how this extraordinary book came to be. A description of a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by a father and his son, the book becomes a personal and philosophical odyssey into the basic questions of how to live. The narrator's relationship with his son leads to a powerful self-vengeance; The craft of motorcycle maintenance is a beautiful process to reconcile science, religion, and humanism. Resounding with the illusion of existence, Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a touching and eclectic book of life.