Rating: 
Summary: It'll make you think if you have not thought this way before
Review: The title of this review really says it all, but I will elucidate, since in reality it probably does not really say it all. I was unsure if I should give this book 3 or 4 stars. On one hand, it made me think a lot. On the other hand, the "plot" was not there. In fact, the attempts at making a plot are a waste of pages IMO. They should be cut out entirely.The book is not a story but, as someone else mentions, a collection of Socratic dialogues given...well, I'll let you see what animal delivers the words. It's an interesting way to non-humanize the obviously human thoughts. Why do I say "obviously"? Well, I think Quinn is a human, that's all. That doesn't detract from the book, which gives you a good bunch of arguments on why man is man and why man is doing what he is doing "to" the world as opposed to "in" it. The thought process makes you think. And thinking, regardless of if you agree with the book, is a successful thing to have happen in your life. There are 2 things that I don't like, however. The book doesn't really give credence to any opposing viewpoints. Such as what if man really is a culminatin of Mother Nature's processes. There are other trains of thought that need to be discussed to make the thinking process more complete, I believe. But again, the fact that it made me think is a good thing. The second thought I had is that anyone with significant philosophical and/or anthropological experience would read this book and say, "Yeah, been there, done that." In some ways, it seems like a rudimentary level text on self-exploration and the introspection of the human race. But that does not necessarily make it bad. Just basic material. I think this is a book everyone should read. It's a nice way to get yourself out of the NBC-based "need for TV" mold that so many people find themselves in. On the other hand, I'm not running out telling people all that we're doing wrong, as the book suggests I should do.
Rating: 
Summary: an impressive compendium of fascinating ideas
Review: I really wouldn't call this a novel, it's more like an impressive compendium of fascinating ideas. It is nonetheless excellent. I did find the facade of the story a bit contrived, but the writing and the ideas themselves more than make up for this shortcoming. It has joined my shelf of favorite books, right up there with "Jitterbug Perfume" and "Just a Couple of Days."
Rating: 
Summary: Pretentious crap
Review: I can't believe all the lavish praise everyone's pouring on this book. Its not that good! Some of the ideas are interesting, but you have to slog through all this poorly written dialog to get there. And the author uses the dialog format to praise his own ideas. One character will say something, and the other will exclaim "Thats the most amazing idea I've ever heard!" Quinn's pretentiousness drove me crazy. Don't bother with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Expanded my thinking about what is possible for our world
Review: I am constantly torn between a real knowledge of economics and ecology ... rarely have I found something that openned up my thinking to the point where I can think more effectively about these concepts at the same time. I find there are rare works which when having read them make a difference in my possibility of thought which holds my own matrix as well as a possibility of more. This book is described as Socratic in method. If the objective of Socratic method was to create for more powerful thinking this book is, I believe, doing that job. I was able to take the disparate thoughts I have had about what is not working and what is working and fit it into a new construct that had more possibility for success. And besides that it is a really good 'read', entertaining and hopeful without being weak. I found myself at the end, not a convert, but rather a thinking participant in a dialogue that was more useful.
Rating:
Summary: A hopeful future
Review: This book and one of its sequels, The Story of B, are the two most important books I've ever read, especially given our recent state of the world. I've been looking for a fresh take on how we can turn our destructive culture around, giving ourselves and our families a hopeful future, and these books lead the way.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully dangerous
Review: ever wondered why? here go the REAL answers, but make sure you really want to know.
Rating:
Summary: Paradigm Shift, good for college-goers and everyone...
Review: I was a third-year college student who was traveling on the typical path to self destruction, and then this book came along. It really puts life--all life--in perspective. It's a really smooth read--I ate it up faster than any book i've read since "Siddhartha". Daniel Quinn is an interesting thinker and has a perspective that the whole civilized world needs to consider. My only worry is that the many stubborn- and closed-minded of our world will not be as receptive as i am.
Rating:
Summary: It gave me a whole new way of looking at life!
Review: I picked up Ishmael without having a clue as to what it was about, right around the time of the W.T.C. happening. I was quite astounded to have read such profound words at such a horrible time. But Daniel Quinn's views and ideas gave me a reason to sigh a big relief. I am thankful for this book dropping into my lap, now I'm ready to go searching for his others!! For anybody concerned with our society, our world, our ways--this book is a MUST! It shall surely be used for my teachings to my children.
Rating:
Summary: Among Good Books...
Review: Just beginning to read Ishmael, I thought, 'this may be the most important book written in the last, oh, 3 million years.' The longer I think about it, the surer I am.
Rating:
Summary: Now I know how Saul of Tarsus felt on the road to Damascus!
Review: This is NOT a book. This is a revelation. If mankind is to be saved, it will not saved by people with old ideas and new programs, but rather by people with a NEW VISION and no programs at all. "Ishmael" challenges all of our old assumptions about ourselves, our relationship with god and our destiny as a species. It should be required reading for mankind.
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