Beyond Civilization : Humanity's Next Great Adventure

Rating:
Summary: Revolutionary
Review: I have followed Mr.Quinn's work for years, and this book could be considered a compressed compendium of the wisdom found in his writings to date. More than that, it also outlines new ideas and bold propositions for all those readers who, after devouring any one of his previous works, have often stopped and thought "My GOD! This stuff is amazing! But where do we go from here?"
Love it!

Rating:
Summary: Profound implications
Review: Once again Quinn has presented some very important and insightful commentary on the problems facing our species. Great Job!

Rating:
Summary: New ideas by the same great genius.
Review: If one has read Quinn's other works, one knows that he rights about world problems from world famine, school violence, relgion, how things came to be the way they are, and how schools fail in teaching children. In this book, all of that is left behind to another question. Most people know that Wal*Mart is more wasteful and the local Ma and Pa. He then examines something else. "Whould you still work if you had one billion dollars?" Most people say no. Obviously, people hate their jobs. Therefore, he designs a new type of work system based on the two ideas that local is better and work isn't fun. He claims that it is our first step away from civilization, the human's most dangerous invention. Then Quinn examines homelessness and how to deal with it. Now comes for the typicaly conclusion to a review. Why what others say is wrong: people won't offer self-restraint and this doesn't solve world famine problems. First, in "Ishmael" Quinn wrote about world famine. Why write more on than he needs? No where does Quinn ask for restraint and giving up, only change for the better. The benefits beat out the costs. A must read. (Read "Ishmael" first.)

Rating:
Summary: finally a way out
Review: Always had an interest in aboriginals (but never really knew why)?
Ever wished you could be a native american
(but never really understanding the difference
between their and our lives)?
Always felt resentment at the prospect of working
the rest of your life 9-5 for some multinational company
which pays you well, but treats you lousy
(but never had an alternative)?
This is your way out. Daniel Quinn offers you a DIY solution on how to get away from the horrors of our civilization.
And the wonderful thing is you don't have to wait till everybody
is convinced this is the way to go (as a matter of fact convincing everybody is not recommended). I'm not going to explain how and what, because there a good
reason that mr Quinn wrote this book and i didn't.
I think this book offers a great new story to be part in, instead of going with the flow of civilization with the knowledge there's something wrong, but never really being able to put your finger on it.
Great book from a great mind.

Rating:
Summary: Big dissapointment
Review: This book does not state anything which hasn't been explained before in previous books. Author takes up very interesting and novel idea and then repeats it ad nauseum. And his supposed solution of the problem is based on false premises and it will never work. He thinks that there is social equality in ethnic tribes. This simply isn't true, because in majority of those women have no say and no influence whatsoever. He says that the tribal living worked for millions of years. Is there any proof that those prehistoric tribes were the same as tribes we observe nowadays? Also, he seems to have the same fault as previous proponents of various solutions of the problem, i.e. has too idealistic view of the human beings. What he proposes in "new tribalism" means that all humans would supposed to take interest beyond earning their wages in success of their occupational tribe. In order to do so, one would need to enjoy the work. Majority of jobs are boring and repetitive. Frankly, I would rather starve than work as a cashier in supermarket or the likes. If people would "make the living" in a way they can truly take interest in, our lifestyle will definitely collapse. There is no way that things can be changed while on the outside would look more or less the same (with health insurance, taxes etc. all in place). He seems to be unaware that consumerism will not be so easily abandoned, and majority simply will not practice self-restraint. Also, with just change to "new tribalism" still remains the main problem - how to feed six billion. Raising the food organically will not feed six billion. Without spraying it with various chemicals you cannot possibly transport it to all who need it. Only supportable way is to have only as many people in one region as that region can feed. Which is something articulated in previous works but conveniently disregarded here. As long as food production and distribution is global instead of local, human beings can never be as harmless as sharks etc. I admit that I have no solution how to change things. I have no "new vision" to offer. And Mr. Quin doesn't either. His new book, instead of offering a new vision instead of new program, seems to be only his way of "making a living" for himself.

Rating:
Summary: Change your Mind
Review: One of the books that will tell you things that will change you life and way of thinking. But first you must read at least The Story Of B or Ishmael so you can get more from this book.

Rating:
Summary: ....
Review: Okay, Daniel Quinn has some exciting and new ideas. His beliefs might even shock some of you. .... I enjoy Quinn's work (possibly because when I first read "Ishmael" at age thirteen I realized that I wasn't the only one with "those kind" of feelings and beliefs about society and our culture in general), but that doesn't mean everything he writes is interesting, fresh, or even particularly well-written. "Beyond Civilization" is possibly the worst book I've ever read (aside from some of the *joys* from the mandatory reading lists shoved down students throats in the public school system)! Whatever insight you gain from this book can truly be gained by reading "Ishmael" or "The Story of B". Don't get caught up in the DQ hysteria, think for yourself ....

Rating:
Summary: Finally, someone's making sense
Review: Daniel Quinn has conjured the nerve to say what must be said to turn this orb around. A lot of people may be offended by his books, but as a biologist, I can add one more vote for the validity of his theories - at least read Ishmael and this book, and then get to work on your plan. It's the only hope our species has.

Rating:
Summary: Full of great ideas.
Review: If you read Ishmael, the next step is to read this book. You can read it a couple of hours and you will get tons of ideas on "What to do." Stuff you can apply in your life, not utopian ideals of going "back to the forest." Yes, we can leave civilization, as much as we can, before it's too late. That doesn't mean that you have to give up your job and go live in a community. (Speaking of communities, you will find in this book a good discussion on communities versus tribes). It's about changing our MINDSET, and going on from a different perspective. Anyhow, you won't regret the buy.

Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking
Review: Never have I encountered a book that forced me to, "Think outside of the box", so much as this one. The auther is either a genius or somewhat cracked. I will not debate Mr. Quinn's conclussions, (NO MATTER HOW MUCH I MAY DESIRE TO)but I will recogmend the book for it's thought provoking nature.