Balance At Middlefork: An Adventure in Human Freedom

By Jeremy L. Dorosin

Book Overview

Hailed by the New York Times, CBS Evening News' "Eye On America" Report, The Associated Press, and mass media as a consumer hero in a public battle with Starbucks Coffee, the author heads into new... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1439245479
• ISBN13: 9781439245477
• Release Date: January 2011
• Publisher: Booksurge Publishing
• Length: 408 Pages
• Weight: 1.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

a balanced view

Dorosin takes on a tough challenge -- to pick up where Persig left off with Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance -- and he does a fine job. It's a tough topic and Dorosin uses the story of his conversations with a friend as a way of making otherwise compliated issues understandable. The story itself, without the philosophy is good. But the combination makes for a terrific read.

In the Middle of Middlefork

Currently, I am only about halfway through "Balance at Middlefork", but when I saw the absurdity of some of the reviews posted here I had to cut to the chase and give a pre-review review. I will be giving a more extensive review as soon as I have completed the book.Jeremy Dorosin's book thus far has been a gentle handling of philosophical topics that are usually given to the public in indigestible forms. His analysis of these topics is shuffled in with a narrative that is surprisingly gripping for its limited setting. These are the two aspects of his writing that I'd like to critique individually.First, the story telling:Well-crafted, easy to read. So far there is really no plot to speak of except "Two guys go on camping trip", so if you're looking for drama and intreague, this probably isn't the book for you. However, the characters are presented realistically and the dialogue is believable. The inward journey undertaken by the author is rich and has its share of pitfalls. I was especially impressed at the author's honesty regarding his own personality flaws. In direct contrast to a previous review which marked Dorosin as an egomaniac, and another with "serious psychiatric issues", there is a dialogue in the book in which the author humbly and intelligently addresses his own issues with dominance and control.Second, the Philosophy:As a student of philosophy myself, I have to say that I've yet to come across anything particularly mind-blowing. Then again, I'm just getting into the book. Most likely that the author is "warming up", attempting to acquaint the reader with concepts that might be unfamiliar, and setting the stage for ideas to come. I will have to wait for the next review to really get into this aspect. For now my only disappointment is that he has not mentioned my personal favorites of philosophy. Where are the anti-philosophers? Where are Wittgenstein, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche? Where is Spinoza for the love of Pete!? I am eager to see if any of these fellows come up, and what role their ideas might play in the author's handling of east and west.More important at this stage of the book is how the author presents his concepts to the lay public, and in this respect I believe he both fails and succeeds. His failures, I think, are subtle and sparse. Now and then I have found a premise that should have been analyzed rather than presupposed. I have also noticed a tendency to rely on jargon in drawing and expounding a conclusion, though this should hardly be enough to completely baffle an intelligent reader. Despite the abruptness of division between analysis and narrative, the author succeeds magnificently in incorporating his concepts into those examples that he does give and the arguments he does unfold. Even more impressive is the way in which he blends his ideas into the narrative and dialog that is woven around the outskirts of the analysis itself.Balance at Middlefork has thus far kept my interest and above all

A MUST READ!!!!!

...You MUST READ THIS BOOK! Through a touching, compelling story about a trip to Yosemite, the Author weaves his past, present and future into a tool of philosophy, a continuation of Pirsigs ideas and some new insights you can apply to your own life. If you would like to find some "Balance" change some "patterns" and buy this book for you and someone you love. I can't wait to read his next creation.

Great insight into the qualities we live by, intense!!

Great insight into the 'qualities' that we live by, our everyday experiences and how man deals with life at different levels. Be ready to switch gears in the middle of sentances as Mr. Dorosin parallels between two realities. Similar in flow to 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainence', this story will at times both make you think and laugh, and will leave you wanting a sequel...

There are some jewels in this book

This book reflects the intensity of the author, Jeremy Dorosin. Two topics I found especially interesting: his explanation for his long-standing feud with Starbucks Coffee, and also his clever and empathic description of growing up gay in America. Principles are at stake here, and Dorosin won't let you forget it. Anybody acquainted with Pirsag's, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, will find Balance at Middlefork an interesting read.