Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit

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Summary: It will change the way you look at the world
Review: I read this book in two days - and I'm a busy high school student! It changed the way I see civilization, agriculture, and environmentalism, and politics. For anyone who wants to do good in this world, I have an idea: 1. Read Daniel Quinns books. 2. Take an active leadership role in society. 3. Save the world.

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Summary: Too Short or Too Long
Review: Because of manner in which Mr. Quinn has told this story (Socratic Dialogue), he takes 250 or so pages to tell what could have been written in 10 - 20. And though the book is a quick read, if looked at in this perspective, it is too long. I believe the author used the dialogue method to help the reader slowly see how he arrives at his main point. However, the supporting arguments are not fully flushed out--which is understandable since there are entire wings of libraries filled with arguments for and against some of the assertions made by Mr. Quinn. I think his logic works if each of the premises hold. Unfortunately, that would entail that, among other difficult concepts, Mr. Quinn has reasoned correctly on "nature vs. nurture" and "the human condition." Mr. Quinn either needs more space to develop the argument or he needs to cut the book down by 90%. 250 pages are a lot of leaves to turn for a half-baked conclusion.

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Summary: Ishmael Reveiw
Review: Hi, I am a freshman i n high school and we are reading ishmael as a class. OUr homework assignments are usually to read a certain chapter etc. and then we we return to class we discuss issues that have come up. I find it very interesting becuase we have very heated debates about the subjects for example, the idea that man was put on the earth to rule and that a paradise will be the result. Personally I believe that this is not the case, and that is one reason why i like reading ishmael. It has opened my eyes to the issues facing the world, but are also in a sense hidden behind the stories told over and over to our society. AsI read through I couldn't believe the reality of the thoughts presented and explained through the novel. Anyone who reads this book must consider both sides of the story, no matter what their insticts tell them is true. Becuase these insticts have been embedded into our minds from day one, as part of the creation story that is told to us, we have a hard time disagreeing with what we are been taught is true. Even if you believe that man is the ultimate ruler of the world and has the right to control everything, Ishmael does a utterly great job of defending the opposing side.

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Summary: History, religion, society... An amazing explanation!
Review: We have everything today! Monster, gas guzzling SUVs, air conditioning, cell phones, the Internet! McDonald's on every corner! But, if life is so good, then why is everyone depressed and anxious? Substance abuse, mind-numbing, inane TV, even suicide...having everything apparently still doesn't make us truly happy. The destruction of our environment, overpopulation, etc., and our helplessness against all this; it's just the price we must pay for convenience and comfort. And it's worth it. Isn't it? That dose of Prozac just to get through another empty day? Oh, well, it beats living in the woods! And wouldn't that be the only alternative, and an awful one, too, to how we're all living today? Here's an idea: maybe there isn't anything really wrong with you at all. Maybe your concerns and worries are valid! Maybe the real problem is the way we've all been raised to live and THINK. And it's the ONLY way to live and think. Isn't it? You'll do yourself a disservice if you dismiss Ishmael by assuming that it is nothing more than what is thought of as New Age nonsense. It is actually quite logical (in my humble opinion). Also, it is NOT anti-human or anti-God. But it's ideas just might free you enough to be comfortable thinking for yourself. It might free you to believe it's possible to save your sanity, and maybe even, before it's too late, our beautiful planet, too.

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Summary: Don't get carried away folks
Review: Its a good book, and it is certainly thought provoking. Unfortunately, like much of our society's products of "scholarship", it is based on some very scant research and relys so heavily on supposition that it is problematic. It is worth reading and is entertaining, but just don't take all of these folks that have had their "life changed" very seriously. It is a powerful book, but like all intense things, its fuel burns fast and hot and a year after you read it, you will mainly remember the talking ape.

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Summary: As thought-provoking as Diet for a New America
Review: I nearly discarded the book because I disliked the writing style, but the ideas presented in the book make any critique on style irrelevant. It is as thought-provoking as Diet for New America, or Adbusters magazine. If you're the type of person who likes to go about your business comfortably and free of guilt, this is NOT the book for you. But for those who like to challenge and question and examine and yes, even obsess, this book will do it. I have found myself examining nearly every aspect of this thing we call "modern" life.

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Summary: If you feel there's something not right with this world
Review: Everyone is quite positive about this book because it really carries a very important message. If nothing more, it will make you think. The basic idea behind Ishmael is that OUR civilization , and its fundamental concepts, is a STORY. It is mostly a story of unneeded pain and misery. The author, through questioning the story of our civilization, makes us realize that, in order to survive, we need another story. If you feel that you're getting everything you want out of life and that things couldn't be better in the world, you probably do not need to read this book. Otherwise, get a couple boxes to share with your friends.

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Summary: See Through New Eyes
Review: Ishmael is an amazing text. It tells us in so many words that the culture we live in is in desperate need of our help to make it work, and that WE CAN make it work. To read the book is to see the world in a different way. To read Ishmael is to see the importance of the single individual speaking out, and the difference one person can make. Because one person can become two, and more, and eventually YOU can shift the direction our culture is going. YOU CAN change the world, and make a difference. You CAN.

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Summary: Wondeful! An adventure of the mind and personal belief.
Review: I live in a towm where Christianity is the only right religion. I have been looking for something to break the tie, and Ishmael finally did it. Not only has my vision been brightened to the world, but my already great intrest in preserving the enviroment has been renewed. I urge anyone who seeks a more open mind to read this book. I think in a rapidly declining world, we need more people like Daniel Quinn to present us with a more helpful view. This book could easily replace the bible sitting on my dusty shelf!

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Summary: Ladies and Gentlemen We Have Just Lost Cabin Pressure
Review: The narrator of the story talks about searching his whole life for a teacher. Someone to explain to him the things he already knows, but is afraid recognize. I believe that Daniel Quinn has stepped up and decided to be a teacher to many. In "Ishmael" Quinn puts words to the ideas that bounce around in the back of your skull, or maybe materialize for a split second but are gone before they are consciously noticed. Our world is fastly approaching a point at which something must be done. We believe that the planet is ours and we can do with it what we please. We will stop only at its complete destruction. But where did we get this idea. Read the book. Mother culture has owned the last 10 thousand years, but my money is on Mother nature.