Despite the World Wide Acclaim For Book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (ZMM), Some 19% Of Amazon.com Reviewers Are Frustrated, Bitter, & Negative About ZMM. This Page Seeks The Reasons For These Readers Being So Turned Off.

And If You ARE Frustrated Reading ZMM, Or Any Other Book, Here's What You Can Do About It!

An Analysis of 457 ZMM Reviews Posted on Amazon com as of Mar 06.

Concerning ZMM, many readers say some variant of the following:
"I don't get it!! I just don't get it!! All these Amazon reviewers continual oohhing and ahhing and acclaim over ZMM!!! How could so many people give this book high reviews, when ZMM is a: dull, boring, cliché ridden, stupid, meaningless, whining narcissistic, arrogant, self-indulgent, self-satisfied, self-absorbed, self-involved, self-important, pretentious, condescending, authoritarian, preaching, ranting, rambling, obsessive, myopic, insane, heavy, confusing, excessively difficult book!! To me ZMM is over rated tedious, contrived, and artificial! How can people be so enthusiastic re ZMM? I don't get it!! I just don't get it!!!!"

On 10 Mar 06 there were 457 ZMM Amazon Reviews available. The majority of these reviews (81%) were quite positive (3 to 5 stars). The remainder (19 %) were negative or super negative (1 to 2 stars). Their combined words (above paragraph) reflect their frustrated angry feelings in no uncertain terms!!!! Most of these persons tried to read ZMM because they had received very strong positive recommendations from many people. In fact these negative reviewers said so in their own clear statements, and they were expecting to be similarly rewarded.

The Negative Amazon ZMM Review Authors (1 to 2 stars) have an additional ego defeat: In the process of adding their review to the Amazon ZMM Web Page, they no doubt couldn't resist reading some of those glowing "Four & Five Star" ZMM Reviews, which are 70 % of all reviews. They quickly learn they are in the minority, and this adds to the insult because they are totally blocked in their understanding of ZMM, and they don't know what is wrong with their own abilities!!

They've "had it" and want to tell the world that the author (or the ZMM Narrator) is in no uncertain terms, the locus of their problem. These Amazon Reviewers are clearly, by their own statements, intelligent readers and generally enjoy books. In fact, they are well enough "put together" to write a coherent description of how they were confused and frustrated, despite their intensive struggle to really understand this book! All this they were at pains to express in their review.

The majority (81%) clearly get a lot out of ZMM. For many of these Pirsig's book is a life changing experience. So it is a serious puzzle .... why .... how .... some 19 % of the Amazon Reviewers are turned off! With an estimated. 5 million copies of ZMM in print, 19% of 5 million is some 950,000 turned-off frustrated ZMM readers!! So what's going on!!!?

This Web Page provides analysis, based on the Amazon Reader's own statements, what is causing their problem(s). For those about to start reading ZMM, here is much guidance to avoid the pitfalls ahead! For those persons about to "give-up" on ZMM, here are tips to get a breakthrough!!

A) Why Do These Amazon.com Reviewers Have So Much Frustration With ZMM?.

A) First off, many ZMM readers come to expecting motorcycles, or maintenance or a lot more ZEN, and thus repulsed when they find long winded philosophy. Additionally, these Frustrated Reader/Reviewer may be looking for an interesting "easy read" entertainment, just like most other books. When this does not happen, he or she is surprised, and possibly angered. This starts the self-stoking circle of reduced reading interest. Lowered interest attention which in turn lowers understanding, which in turn produces more lost of interest and boredom, etc. Several cycles of this and readers become angered at wasting time and money!
But there is yet another Classic "Catch 22" here! In order to successfully read about (and understand) any new topic, you must already know a lot about that topic. BUT ... to gain this understanding, ..... you must be able to successfully read about it. Essentially you can't learn because you haven't learned!! (More at third link below.) I believe those enthusiastic Four and Five Star Amazon s were those who already understood what Pirsig was :driving at". Also they had the requisite knowledge, reading skill, and persistence to master Pirsig's difficult concepts (when the going got rough). As discussed next paragraph, ZMM was written specifically to help people out of this "bind" and other forms of similar blockage. One Amazon ZMM Reviewer, Kenai, said the following
"The greatest recommendation for this great book comes from those who give it the lowest rating. As in so much of life, the ones in most need of understanding are least prepared to find it. The reasons they list for not liking the book are the very reasons it should be read. Does that sound Zen-like? ZMM is one of the great books of all time. Enjoy." [Bold emphasis by HSG]

B) Author Robert Pirsig Understands Reader Boredom: He Wrote ZMM To Help People Escape From the Frustrated Self-Stoking Cycle Of Boredom and Loss Of Meaning.

In fact, this is one of the main messages of ZMM!! Throughout it, the Narrator makes many suggestions to interrupt the boredom cycle: Do something else until your "gumption" returns with needed energy and ability for action. (Gumption means your whole ability to move forward. It includes your resolve, strength, interest, sense of confidence, etc)
When your gumption is low on any project, Pirsig suggests: take a break, get rest coffee and food, ask for help, etc. Come back to it later, and you will be revived! Alternatively, if the reading drags, you might get a clue what your missing from ZMM Reviews here. Also skip ahead to Pirsig's chapters on Gumptionology. They might be just what you need! (Especially see pages 274 to 283 in Bantam Edition).

C) Yes, All The Philosophy In ZMM Probably Is A Big Put Off For Those Who Don't Want It.

Many of my students say "ZMM drags until abut mid way, and after that interest picks up and they are drawn into continued reading". I had to read ZMM several times, spread over several years, before it's full significance became apparent to me. Even the ZMM Narrator admits many parts of ZMM are boring. Anything is boring if you don't want it! This includes all Pirsig's chapters on maintenance, problem solving and gumption traps, value traps, etc. It requires a patient reader to realize that, boring or not, this is essential reading. If you are not ready for these topics, then wait until you are ready! The ZMM Readers Reviews on Amazon have much to say about this. See
http://ww2.usca.edu/ResearchProjects/ProfessorGurr/index.php?n=Documents.ReadZmmBestWay

D) Faced With These Boring Topics What 'Else' Is The Reader To Do?

He or she can boost interest by studying the following. These happen on practically every page:

Also see 2nd link below.

E) The Frustrated Angry Readers May Not Have Been Warned or Properly Prepared.

The negative opinions may be from persons who were not aware of the difficulties ahead such as the required extra serious reading effort. I expect that most persons recommending ZMM would themselves not have had difficulties:

D) Are Frustrated Amazon Reviewers Bad Feelings Due to the ZMM Narrator's Apparent "Super-Ego"?

How much their problem is due to their perception of the Narrator's authoritarian egoist personality? (As stated above, the author is stuck on himself.) Is this related to the Narrator's bad treatment of Chris? Do the negative reviewers feel they are being treated same as Chris? Do they hate narrator because he has long and strongly worded presentations showing little doubt or humility? With such long and detailed discussion, the Narrator comes over as being is sure he is correct. Scientists, such as myself, expect this and are used to it. How else can (or should) an argument be presented? If the writer is not convinced of his correctness, he would not present it! Perhaps this grates on some people, and they dwell on this. When they do, both attention and concentration decrease. This of course, leads to drop in comprehension. They are less able to see any correctness in the Narrator's arguments, which makes matters worse. Another self-stoking cycle!
In many cases the ZMM topics are of necessity complex and involved. To explain adequately, many discussions involve pages long interweaved threads. This probably makes it worse for those unskilled and not prepared.
I do admit that ZMM Narrator actually is "self-absorbed" with his continued dwelling on Quality and philosophy. He does get quite involved in his own ideas. So when the reader does not identify with, or get any meaning from the Narrator's philosophy, then the criticism "stuck on himself" is true and this becomes a big stumbling block. This is especially true for those persons who can't discover, don't see, or don't want to accept the purpose of ZMM. I personally don't notice the "arrogant, self-indulgent" Narrator. As a scientist I am used to this form of positive self assertive writing.

D) ZMM Is Loaded With Unfamiliar Thinking and Absolutely New Ideas. This Makes This Book Indeed Difficult!

Most certainly this is one of the many reasons ZMM gets such fantastic acclaim. Any person will feel glow of satisfaction when they have learned new and valuable ideas or discover illuminating ways to handle life's challenges. But when the ideas are not understood, or even worse not wanted, then resentment can set in because there is now interest or involvement to draw the reader onward.

E) When Faced With Unexpected Difficulties: OK, What To Do When Reading A Tough Book Or Any Other Challenging Task?

Again, this is one of the main messages ZMM! And of course a skill you will need the rest of your life! Start now to get in shape!
Getting-a-grip on anything new, requires skill and the willingness to endure hardship and frustration until the "new" finally becomes easy and old-hat. For example, remember how difficult it was to learn how to ride a bicycle? But despite the hardship, fear, and painful hard knocks, you still wanted to be able to ride! So you endured the frustration + pain and kept trying until success. And were very glad you did! I suspect most bike riders would enthusiastically recommend learning to ride a bike, probably leaving off the hardships. So when you encounter difficulty reading ZMM, be looking for those very paragraphs that may provide guidance out of your reading difficulties. My own extended effort with the reading of my especially difficult book is here in a new browser page. Scroll to 3rd paragraph on http://www.usca.edu/math/~mathdept/hsg/barfield.html

F) Some Super-Frustration Problems Require Resolute, Enduring, and Continued Effort Until You Achieve a Special Breakthrough Called an "AHA, Flash-Of-Insight"!!

We all get stuck on problems that seem to have no answer. A "barrier" with no way out. .Most people in our society not recognize the importance of the flash of insight in making a solving major problems and making a "breakthrough". And on this account ZMM spends many pages explaining the AHA-light-bulb-breakthrough event and how related to the prior blockage. Pirsig calls these "waves of crystallizations", and give many examples. In the first several chapters of ZMM(and without hint he is doing this) the Narrator slowly introduces us to the major topics he will take up throughout the book. How to face (and work through) unexpected frustrating difficulties is one such topic. Here is what he says early in Chapter 1 (page 4): "The truth knocks on the door and you say, 'Go away, I’m looking for the truth,' and so it goes away. Puzzling".
Being blocked from understanding ZMM, is the "problem" of those negative reviewers on Amazon.com!! (Hence One and Two Stars!!) As emphasized in ZMM, they are already looking at what they want, but don't "see" it. How to be open to "new facts" is discussed throughout ZMM. Although the Narrator does not always use these words, he gives many examples of how a "new fact" often arrives in a AHA, Flash-Of-Insight. More AHA explanation and examples here. Will open in a new browser page. http://www.usca.edu/math/~mathdept/hsg/MemoryPerception&ProblemSolving.html

G) How To Move Ahead When Learning Is Difficult.

Although I wrote this Learning Guide for my physics students, it really applies to ALL difficult learning. Click here for this guidance, in a new browser page, .
http://www.usca.edu/math/~mathdept/hsg/guide.html

H) Many Readers Are Put-Off Because They Can't Find ZEN. As They Say "Hardly any Zen in ZMM"!

Of the Amazon ZMM Reviewers, a significant portion say they expected the book to be about ZEN. However when they looked closely for it, they report "not finding any". They concluded that there is "Hardly any Zen in ZMM"!
To me, ZEN occurs all throughout Pirsig's book. I can see it in the choice ideas presented, e.g. Quality and Gumptionology. And I can see ZEN in how Pirsig suggested we use ZEN-like behavior in our own lives such as go slow or peace of mind or mindful be present in her and now. In addition, the Narrator does and thinks ZEN-Patterns in the book, rather that talk about it! This apparently prevents many readers from seeing how Pirsig builds ZEN throughout ZMM!
Even those persons who call themselves Philosophers (or those that speak strongly from this perspective), have similar inability to see much solid ZEN in ZMM. I conclude that a Western Philosophy training (or orientation) alters perceptions so such persons "Just Could Not See What ZMM Was Really All About!" Part of the problem may be that philosopher personality can't stand Pirsig's folksy, easy going, every-day approach to the philosophy. They get bored fast with Pirsig's (non-Professional Philosopher) approach. If you do (or do not) agree with me, please email. I would like to hear what you think is the problem Philosophers have with ZMM.
I should admit that I was slow to see the full extent of ZEN built into ZMM. I had my own illumination (Feb 06), when I discovered a passage on the back of a "Tao te Ching Translation". Only then did I fully realize how extensively Robert Pirsig has written the principles of the Tao into in his book "Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". Like Lao Tzu's, Pirsig's Book is to practical guide life and living, .... a hand book for "Westerners" to apply Zen to their lives. To see what I mean, I suggest you read the following passage meditatively:

A TaoTeChing Medative Reading Summarizes the Zen Built Into ZMM.

"The philosophy of Lao Tsu is simple: Accept what is in front of you without wanting the situation to be other than it is, Study the natural order of things and work with it rather than against it, for to try to change what is only sets up resistance. Nature provides everything without requiring payment or thanks and also provides for all without discrimination—therefore let us present the same face to everyone and treat all men as equals, however they may behave. If we watch carefully, we will see that work proceeds more quickly and easily if we stop "trying," if we stop putting in so much extra effort, if we stop looking for results. In the clarity of a still and open mind, truth will be reflected. We will come to appreciate the original meaning of the word "understand, "which means to stand under" We serve whatever or whoever stands before us, without any thought for ourselves. Te—which may be translated as “virtue” or "strength"—lies always In Tao, or "natural law." In other words: Simply be."
View this passage on back cover of translation of Tao Te Ching.

I) OK, How Not To Get Caught With the Wrong Book?

So, how not to be caught off guard by a book unsuitable for you? Go to Amazon and read reviews till you see what you are getting into and what effort is going to be required. Good advice before taking-on any new project.

END

Other related resources.

Amazon.com Readers Advise: What To Expect As You Sit Down To Read ZMM. For Example ZMM Will Require Your Full Attention, and If You Get Bored (or Frustrated) Come Back Later, Even Years Later!

My Collection of ZMM Reviews & Analysis.

Revised 21 June 2007