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Summary: Stolen from Disney Movie Plots
Review: The gist of this work of pseudo-philosophy is that human beings are evil takers who have ransacked the earth, and the animals are those who give back to the earth. This is a an evil/good binary philosophy for environmentalists written in such a simplified generalized way that the entire works comes off as propaganda written for the mouth of a anthropomorphic gorrilla. The soapbox is higher than the Sears Tower. Cute Lovable Animals. Evil Humans. How is this different from hundreds of Disney movie plots?
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Summary: You Are Not Alone (in hating this book.)
Review: I've been a high school teacher for many, many years, and the one book students metioned more than any other was 'Ishmael.' "It will change your life", they said. I finally gave in, and am relieved to know that my life has indeed changed in one important way: I never have to read 'Ishmael' again.Daniel Quinn is possibly the most misanthropic and pedantic author I've ever encountered. Make no mistake: the insights, observations and ideas in this book are passe at best. If you are a reasonably thoughtful and educated person over the age of 18, this book holds nothing for you. I suppose this recommeds the book as children's literature to an extent, but it is unfortunately so poorly written that I would withold even that. To make a very long list of grievances very short, I will say this: Quinn is reminiscent of nothing so much as a college freshman, so drunk with the recent loss of his apparently total ignorance that he is convinced that he is the first person in human history to understand elementary philosophy, theology and anthropology. Reading his book is like being lectured by an idiot, in the sense that no arrogance rankles like that of the truly dumb. I had to restrain myself from tracking down the author's email address out of pure human compassion: Mr. Quinn is somehow living under the terrible delusion that humanity is composed entirely of idiots. Over and over I had the feeling I was reading a hideous rewrite of 'Waiting for the Barbarians', one in which the narrator never figured out who the damn barbarians are. I am very grateful for the reviews here, which reaffirmed my continuing faith in the basic intelligence of my species. And horrible as this sounds, I have a recommendation - a sincere one - for those of you who are enthralled by "Ishmael": go back to school. This book pales next to the myriad wonders available to you through thoughtful study at any decent university.
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Summary: A riveting description of a tragedy in the making
Review: Ishmael offers some thought-provoking and profound insights. I especially found interesting his interpretation of the story of Genesis. Some of the negative reviews seem to be in response to the heavy-handed and pedantic tone of the novel. I was struck most by the book's depressing message. Ishmael is essentially a tragedy, the tragedy of modern human civilization. All species, humans included, are ultimately doomed to extinction; moving from a leaver society to a taker society simply speeds up the process. Short of a nuclear holocaust blowing mankind back to the stone age, I think it is highly unlikely that we can return to a leaver society. For one, to quote a lyric, "anti-technology is an impossibility". Secondly, simply spreading the Ishmael doctrine will never be enough as long as cultivating the mind of the "messenger" is disregarded. Ishmael's students included a disenchanted writer and an ex-convict; how effectively would they spread the doctrine? If taker society cannot be converted, then at least it can be improved by mindful, compassionate individual acts. I follow the Buddhist concept that one can make the world better by first improving oneself. My viewpoint may turn out to be equally faulty, but at least it is an optimistic and hopeful response to all the terrible things in this world today.
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Summary: To all who hate this book...
Review: ...you must have been looking for entertainemnt. I will disregard all students who were 'forced' to read it in school or college - but for the rest - this is as good as anthropology comes. Yes, some ideas are not new, but the format is superb. Daniel Quinn is a genius. I challenge anybody to find another book as important as this one within the last 15 years...I for one have not found one so far. He is a genius and therefore will evoke strong feelings regarding his work. A must read for everybody, I can't wait to pass it on to my daughter.
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Summary: not worthwhile
Review: A friend of mine told me to read this book, I did and after thinking about it just now, would not recommend it to anyone else. Daniel (Ishmael) doesn't actually end up challenging the student (you or I) to think at all, as the student of the story rarely puts two and two together (as the Ape keeps reminding him a million times, "you're not thinking!"). Theres no fun it that, its as if he only wants you to listen, not share! I got the feeling Daniel wrote this in real-time, i.e the protagonist goes for a cup of coffee, and so did the author.
Re the prize, well he obviously beat the competition, however that speaks to the qualities of this book.
It kept me reading though, because he tended to finish every chapter with a question.The author shares his views well enough, theres just one point that tainted it all, and that is that we are not above but rather closer to the animals of this world in design, purpose, he proposes that we are only one step in the evolutionary chain - whereas in Christian belief, humans are meant to rule over them? Its just that, I never believed animals could choose anything?...
I was going to leave this review on a question, like Daniel does, but I won't.
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Summary: A simple, but immensely important message.
Review: No, this book is not on the same level as Faulkner and Hemingway. Guess what? Doesn't matter. The message of Ishmael is what is truly important. That message? That humanity, through an understanding of its own cultural psychology, can alter its destructive habits. Many have criticized Ishmael as a work that is too "simple", and that only children could benefit from its message. To them I would like to say, "Then why didn't YOU write it, when the Turner Fellowship, and the half a million dollar prize?" Just because the message is simple, does not mean it is important.
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Summary: Ishmael Review
Review: Ishmael is a book that really makes you think about the development of the life we live, and what effects our lifestyle is having on the world. It opens up an entirely new point of view of how eveything "came to be the way that is is now." It is very interesting and bring up topics you normally wouldn't think about. I really enjoyed reading it, and would recommend it to any audience who has an open mind and wishes to be introduced to an entirely new way of thinking.
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Summary: Ishmael...aaahhhh
Review: This book stinks! Aren't you supposed to actually understand it. When I had finished it (because the school assigned it), I burned it and then ate it! This book is like a dictionary. Step away kids, this book is dangerous.
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Summary: Loved it!
Review: Those who are interested in reading this book, but need to look through the online reviews should STOP right here! Don't let anybody influence your opinion. Go ahead. Read the book. The book is not offending in any way. Its content may introduce some ideas that are challenging to one's faith/belief, yet it is undeniably a classic. A brilliant masterpiece. An intelligent author with thought-provoking ideas. If you are a believer in God, who may be offended by this book, then here's a practical advice on how to read and enjoy the book at the same time: Consider your faith (whatever it may be) a constant, while viewing wisdom (knowledge) and science as variables. This way, you will enjoy this book to a great extent, and most importantly, will not be offended by it! I truly love this book, and I think Daniel Quinn is one of the most intelligent and influential writers.
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Summary: Simply earth-shaking.
Review: Ishmael is a straightforward, highly rational handbook for the people out there ready to admit there's something wrong with the human race's direction. I first had to read this book for a 4 week educational trip to Italy, where I studied Classical Civilizations. I didn't know what this book had to do with my course until I realized our teacher was simply trying to open our minds. No other book has quite opened my mind as widely as Ishmael has. Daniel Quinn has crafted a story... or even a novel-long lecture, for those of us who thirst for knowledge, or at least a place to start off from. I now currently study Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Toronto, and the University of Glasgow. The most baffling parts of prehistory and civilization as a whole are so much clearer after reading (over and over for pleasure) Quinn's theories on civilization, and what we call culture. It is hard to sort out our own biases of today when you cannot even recognize them. I simply cannot recommend this review highly enough. I've passed it onto all of my friends, and I hope it will convince you to do the same.
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