Rating: 
Summary: It's all right
Review: I don't really know about this book, it may be beacause of my age, but I didn't really enjoy it. I thought it was good becasue of all the very thought out ideas and plots, but I didn't agree with alot of thoes ideas. I'm sick of hearing how we are hurting the world. And I think that is one of the basis's of this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A rant about Ishy
Review: Hey, we only get 1000 words?!! oh well, this will have to be a one minute rant then. ;p I thought this was a well written book about how to save the world. Some other books I have read about saving the earth have been uninteresting and just scolded us (lester milbrath connectoin, party). I was a little disapointed with some parts of Ishy's teachings. Like how everything revolved around the culture's food supply. I have always thought that there is more to life then just food. Just mother culture in my ear agian. Plus I didn't understand why Ishy wouldn't ask for help. I mean if I were dying in a sideshow I would ask for help. OOPS! sorry I just gave away a plot point. :P I'll get to the point since this is only a one minute rant and not a termrant paper. Overall I thought the book was very thought out and insitefull. I liked the way Quinn didn't make the teacher human, because when you think of it, Ishy couldn't have been a taker or leaver and have had the view of the world. I would recommend this book to anyone who had a gross amount of free time on their hands. ****writter's note**** I apologize for any mis-spelled words, run on sentances, or other grammmatical oop-see's I might have made, I was ranting. ;P
Rating:
Summary: thought provoking and unique
Review: Ishmael raises some interesting points, some I'd never thought of before reading the book. The writing isn't the best out there but I still think this is a very important book in terms of the human race and the world. I've always known that there was obviously something wrong with the way we as humans were living but now I can see what exactly it is and where the roots of the problems are. I understand the issues and even how they can be resolved thanks to Daniel Quinn. Ishmael tries to show us a new way to live that we're not used to but if we can manage to live as he recommends the world will be much better off.
Rating: 
Summary: Pete and Repeat were on a boat, Pete fell off who was left?
Review: This book is frustrating. Not in the sense that I somehow subconsciously disagree, for I found many of the ideas to be intriguing if not true. It was frustrating because it was poorly written. Boring. Smug. Repetitive. Boring. Smug. Repetitive. Boring. Smug. Repetitive." There were some great, interesting points, but who wants to listen to it drilled into your head over and over. I also thought that a telepathic monkey was stretching it a bit... It had NO plot what-so-ever, and this made it EXTREMLY boring. I read this for a class, and sometimes couldn't keep reading, even when I had NOTHING else to do. You'd do a lot better to read ANY other book. I recommend the Giver, it was a good book (very entertaining) with many good points. END
Rating:
Summary: Pitiful
Review: I began reading Ishmael with the highest of hopes. Those hopes quickly faded however. Ishmael is easily one of the worst pieces of literature I have ever had the misfortune of reading. I am not saying this only because I do not agree with Quinn, but also because Quinn fails to make accurate accusations of his "leavers" and "takers" Quinn contradicts himself frequently, making him look like an pathetically inexperienced author. I sympathize with anyone who has ever had the misfortune of reading Ishmael. Too many people are crediting the book with "changing their views...forever" This is one of the worst things a book can do. A truly intellectual book may challenge or even change your views, but true intelligence is knowing that they may very well change again. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of this atrocious "adventure of the mind and spirit"
Rating:
Summary: not a masterpiece, but a good book nonetheless
Review: I enjoyed this book, and I believe everyone should read it. I do not, however, believe it to be a masterpiece or anything of the sort; it has not changed my life. What this book has done, and what any good book should do, is make me see things in a slightly different way than I saw them before. Quinn makes some very compelling and intellectually engaging arguments. These arguments (in my humble opinion) greatly overshadow the fact that Ishmael is a gorrilla that can communicate using only his mind, as well as the other fantastic aspects of the book. These unbelievable parts of the story should not stop anyone from reaping all the benefits of this book. If an open mind is kept, I believe that one cannot help but have one's perspective changed a little after reading Ishmael.
Rating: 
Summary: Erases Assumptions You Never Knew You Had
Review: Daniel Quinn truly opens new horizons within the mind by giving the reader not a cross-cultural nor multicultural view of the world, but one that transcends the whole realm of culture. After reading Ishmael you will question everything. At the same time the seeds for a new way of living on planet Earth will begin to sprout and you may find yourself constantly thinking about how to "save the world". A visionary and inspiring book.
Rating:
Summary: Ishmael IS an important book.
Review: When you read Ishmael-- and you must-- please don't be critical in seeing the false facts. I know there are some, but one has to look at the message. Ishmael is for people, like me, who could not before put things in perspectives, people like the self in Ishmael. If you want real facts, read his sequels. Then you'll see that he too knows about his putting facts in a not too satisfactory way. He is answering and explaining further in them.
---Yes, it's a wordynovel and the exact opposite in literary quality to Donna Tartt's "The Secret History". Still, noone can say that it is not an important book. Just look at the many reviews from people who say it has changed their life and way of thinking. Ishmael both opens up people's minds and can make people explain why and what is wrong with "the way society works". Don't tell people to save money and time by not buying Ishmael. That person will never understand what environmentalists want to say. And if you're one of those who complain about the literary quality and false facts, you are also one of those who will never leave the Taker's way of thinking. I just hope you won't have kids to pass it on to. Propaganda works, you know.
---About false facts, someone wrote about dingosdestroying food for no reason. I feel it's important to point out that they were imported by man and don't fit in there, like the rabbits. Right?
---Excuse me for my somewhat poor English...
Rating:
Summary: How to tell if you will like this book
Review: If you are reading this, you have probably already discovered that many people LOVE this book, but more than a few think it stinks. What gives? It's not even a simple matter of being "controversial" with some agreeing and some disagreeing, if you read the other comments.
First off, Quinn actually says very little that is new, despite what so many people have said in reviews. However, it's obviously news to the large majority who don't follow anthropology or paleontology or ethology. If you don't know much about those fields and the developments in them over the past twenty years (don't feel abshed - that describes most of us), AND you are looking for an "answer" about "what's wrong with us", there's a good chance you'll like this book. It appears to be an excellent tool for prying people out of the "we are #1" mindset, which is noble work.
But don't believe it too strongly. Lots of the science is misrepresented to support his conclusions; definitions change fluidly in order to make points. Once your mind is opened, please read some of his references (see the web site), who have more substance and less bombast.
Which brings up who will hate the book. Besides anybody expecting a novel with plot and characterization (wrong book), many who have studied the subjects will grind their teeth at Quinn's pronouncements. Those used to solid logical argument may find Quinn's reasoning and "evidence" sometimes annoying. Those who have already read in the area and/or who learn fast may be irritated by Quinn's "I'm going to pount this into the densest student's head" repetitiveness and condescension.
Still, it reaches people that haven't been reached before, and if you are one of them, you may find this one of the best books you've ever read. Go for it!
Shortcut: The book can be summarized thus: Genesis was basically right about the fall of man from a state of grace a !few millenia ago, except that it didn't understand that "agriculture" was the apple, and that not everybody bit the apple - there are many cultures living in the original Garden today, and they are happier and better off in every way that matters than we are. We bad, they good. It's so obvious to Quinn that their lifestyle is better, that he has to demonize or irrationalize our ancestors to explain how they could have bitten that apple. If the idea that low-tech cultures may live in some ways better than we do is new to you - READ THE BOOK.
If you knew that because you've done your reading, you'll probably dislike the way he inverts the black and white hats rather than perceiving a spectrum of hues and tints. You may also find Ishmael's pompous assertion to be the first to have ever had such thoughs irritating.
Yep, a mixed review.
Rating:
Summary: This book is only good if you agree with the premises.
Review: At first, after reading the book, I was fascinated and felt that an entirely new viewpoint had been opened. It's very thought-provoking, really. Just a few problems though:
#1: you have to agree witht the premises to really enjoy the book
#2: this is not an entertaining story, its logical workings
#3: Quinn's other books are necessary suplements to fill in logical gaps of Ishmael Basically, it just depends on your attitude when you read Ishmael. You can look to it as a sort of scripture or you can look at it as another opinion, really. Of course, I found it much more intriguing if I let myself get swept away and fascinated with the conclusions.
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