Rating: 
Summary: Changed my life
Review: I was assigned this book to read in college. It changed my entire way of thinking. It is one of the few books I have read many times. It is like nothing you have ever read before.
Rating:
Summary: Monkey's Rule!
Review: I wish I had cable, because I love the Discovery Channel. I can sit around and watch monkey's for hours on end (yes, I am aware that Ishmael is a gorilla, and not a monkey, but I use the term generically).
As I was saying, monkeys are highly cool. They are very entertaining, in that they are like little hairy stupid people that throw their own poo.
Granted, the monkey in this book is highly intelligent and there is far more philosophical discourse than poo-flinging, but I still found this book immensely enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Review: What is amazing about this book is that it has a message for everybody in any professional field or personal walk in life. (It is used in schools all over the world) If you have ever wondered 'why are things the way they are' having speculations on individuality, on purpose and on life in general; This is the book to begin with. And its a powerful message indeed. It doesnt hold any declarations on how you should live your life or how society should be built, but by exposing dangerous myths it offers new ways of thinking about our place in the world and a very possible and practical solution on how to have rich and fulfilling lifes, and at the same time doing less damage to the enviroment as well. Its a double win! It cannot be measured by any other standards than its own because there simply is no other book like this around. Before you read this book you might have the idea that for life to be interesting one simply have to turn to faith, wait and hope for better days, but this book proves the opposite. The truth is beautiful (and horrible) enough. Just read it!
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Summary: Novelty! Who would have thought, from a school book?
Review: I must say, that of all the school books I have read, this is one of the most thoughtful. We are required to read it for my history class, and the book enjoyed a poor reputation with the people in the grade above mine. However, when I read the book, I found that it was one of the best books I have ever read (and certainly, a unique perspective).
The book is brilliant in its logic, and demands serious thought from the reader. Of course, the conclusions are not necessarily correct; every question spawns several answers, with several different conclusions. The path that the author chooses to take is bleak, but truly interesting. The Bible analysis and the Laws of Competition were especially interesting to me.
Don't expect too much out of the storyline, though; while the ending was slightly emotional, Quinn is not that type of writer. His analysis and thoughts are provocative though, and this book is the best and most original book I've ever had to read for school.
Rating: 
Summary: good start for CHANGE
Review: I just think this work is a great starting point for folks who are ready for CHANGE. Here's a thought provoked by this book's lesson... Since man was not even man (yet), we have battled one another. We have separated into two tribes as Quinn labels, the "leavers" and "takers". We need to remove the veil that makes us believe that there was a time where all was fair and groovy. The HISTORY of man will tell you that this is the biggest illusion created by men who contort facts and sell-out living a good life here on earth for a redemption when we hit the dirt. WhoooaaH. This is a great book to read so you have some FACTS and HISTORY to rely upon when spreading the GOOD word to others. Read it and then read some more of it. Peace,
Karmasoda
Rating:
Summary: Life-changing, if you are willing to listen
Review: I picked this book up just to have something to do while I had my cigarette. I was absolutely captivated before I was halfway done. If you've ever sat down and said "Our system sucks, but there's no way to change it.", all you have to do is read this book and convince others to do the same. As has been mentioned in other reviews, this is not a novel or a story, its a lesson, and, because of that, not everyone will appreciate it. If you can keep an open mind, if you can admit that everything you know might be wrong and if you might, just might, be willing to walk away from all of it and start over, read this book and let it show you the way.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ for everyone
Review: I am 17 and I read this book in my Ancient History class at college. This is the only book I read in one sitting...I just couldn't stop. Quinn's perspective of the world and its history is very unique but makes total sense. If everyone in the world have read this book, our planet would be a much better place. A MUST READ. Buy it....NOW
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Stunning
Review: I couldn't help myself but to read this book in less than a day. I believe Quinn has done an amazing job in taking a philisophical discussion and breaking it down to something the average person can understand. The roles in the book were perfect, even considering Ishmael is a telepathic gorilla. Who better than a gorilla to illustrate to man what it is like being caged but not knowing that you are in fact caged, that there is a wrongness with the situation that you can't place your finger on. Who better than someone not human to see human culture objectively and point out that we too are in such a cage, one of our own making. The role of the student is perfect as well. He represents the average person. An American John/Jane Doe who when prodded to think about an answer instantly replies with "I don't know". The scenarios he described and the manner with which he approached the subject of Adam/Eve, Cain/Abel just blew me away. He shed a whole new light on that period of human development and prompts you to seriously question everything in our history that we hold for truths.
Rating: 
Summary: i was forced to read this
Review: this book was hard to follow. you had to remember everything throughout the whole book to actually understand what he was saying. i wouldnt recommend this to teenagers like myself.
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Summary: The Flower Children Live On
Review: Ishmael was recommended to me by my nephew. I am 55 years old, he is 22. He is the youngest son of my favorite sister and this sister and I and her husband were once hippies into humanism, natural food and music. We are all rather dismayed in the new millenium, trying to hold to the values we developed in our 20s while living in the age of marketing and it's god: money.
If this sounds familiar to you, read Ishmael. It makes sense, it makes you feel that your beliefs are not insane and you are not the only one to feel dismayed.
My only criticism of Ishmael is that while it is definitely consciousness raising of a high order, there are really no solutions offered. I admire Daniel Quinn for communicating his thoughts and views and I suppose it is up to each of us to do the doing that will effect change and if you go to the website mentioned in the book, you can find others to work with. Ishmael's advice is to write and communicate. Ideas are more powerful than guns, bombs or physical force. For these ideas, Daniel Quinn should be read.
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