{"product_id":"on-quality-an-inquiry-into-excellence-unpublished-and-selected-writings-isbn-9780063266933","title":"On Quality: An Inquiry into Excellence: Unpublished and Selected Writings","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeaturing long-awaited selections from Robert M. Pirsig's unpublished writings, from before and after \u003cem\u003eZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, \u003c\/em\u003ean original collection illuminating the central theme of Pirsig's thought: “Quality”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“The ultimate goal in the pursuit of excellence is enlightenment.\" —Robert M. Pirsig, 1962\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMore 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 \u003cem\u003eZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance\u003c\/em\u003e: “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.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThough 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNow, 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Skillfully edited and introduced by Wendy K. Pirsig, Robert’s wife of four decades, the collection includes previously unpublished texts, speeches, letters, interviews, and private notes, as well as key excerpts from \u003cem\u003eZen and the Art of the Motorcycle Maintenance\u003c\/em\u003e and his second book, \u003cem\u003eLila\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSince its publication in 1974, \u003cem\u003eZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance\u003c\/em\u003e 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. \u003cem\u003eOn Quality\u003c\/em\u003e is a remarkable contribution to our understanding of one of the most influential thinkers and writers of our time.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“His musings offer a pleasant detour into a curious mind at work. Pirsig’s fans will find much to consider.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly for On Quality\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eOn Quality,\u003c\/em\u003e a collection of Pirsig’s speeches, fiction, letters, and musings ... reads like a notebook from a life spent pondering: What does 'quality' mean? Why are some things better than others? What is it about humans that causes us to recognize the difference?\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe New Yorker\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Pirsig's timeless wisdom continues to rank amongst the best books ever. Ignore it at your own risk.”  - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eForbes\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“However impressive are the seductive powers with which Mr. Pirsig engages us in his motorcycle trip, they are nothing compared to the skill with which he interests us in his philosophic trip. … Electrifying. … Intellectual entertainment of the highest order.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times on Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance \u003c\/em\u003esold millions of copies and made Pirsig a reluctant hero to generations of intellectual wanderers. … \u003cem\u003eZen\u003c\/em\u003e was an instant classic — a work of literature that captured the spirit of its time and retained its appeal long after the hippie movement had faded.”  - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mariner Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44890293698789,"sku":"NP9780063266933","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780063266933.jpg?v=1730232970","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/on-quality-an-inquiry-into-excellence-unpublished-and-selected-writings-isbn-9780063266933","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}