Rating: 
Summary: Manditory reading
Review: I'm suspecting that there's an underground secret society spreading word of this novel by word of mouth in the back rooms of smokey bars, because until that happened to me I had never heard of it. This is one of those few pieces of work that will undoubtably change the way you view mankind, and how we came to be. Your thoughts on the starving of the world will be challenged and if you accept these views you will question your humanity. The entire premise of Ishmael is what it is to be human, how humanity came into being, and why we are rapidly self-destructing. It opens with a newspaper ad: "Teacher seeks pupil. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person". The teacher will surprise you. A word of warning: Don't even think about discussing this novel with people who haven't read it. The views are not popular and these people simply won't get it.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a novel -- a sermon, a screed, a rant
Review: Picture yourself led into a small room. A man presents you with 10 points he wants to make about humanity and the planet. You agree with some, disagree with others. He then proceeds to record them on a tape loop and play them AT SCREECHING VOLUME for several hours. This is "the genius" of Ishmael, as bad a book as I've ever read. It is not a novel, it is a sermon. It fails to offer even the slightest self-reflection or criticism of its principles, and reinforces its own drivel with endless repetition, self-righteousness, and some of the worst dialogue you'll ever encounter. Quinn is no writer. He is a preacher, and since there are no ideas in the book which haven't been heard regularly since the dawn of the environmental movement, he's preaching to the converted. His metaphors are weak, his history is inaccurate (humanity didn't split into "Takers" and "Leavers" during the Agricultural Revolution -- the split, if we must be so simplistic, didn't take place until close to the Industrial Revolution) and his presumptions about the ignorance of "Takers" and the sanctity of "Leavers" are ludicrous. Even the few accurate points he makes about the need to live more simply are undercut by his ponderous, pontifical style.
Rating:
Summary: Open Discussion of Humanity
Review: This book was an amazing triumph of philosophical discussion. It is put in a uniquely ironic setting; a gorilla, acting the part of a professor, is teaching a human about the destiny of his race. The book is deeply analytical and must be read with an open mind. One may miss the connections between discussions, but keep on trying. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: The Only Book I've Ever Returned Based on Content
Review: A particularly irritating trait of humans is our proclivity to impose our ideas of how to live life on others. To embody this trait in a telepathic gorilla makes it borederline unbearable. I read 58 excrutiating pages of this book before returing it to the bookstore, binding still intact. If you want advice, don't look to this author's thinly veiled attempt to impose his surface, barely freshman level understanding of philosophy and social/environmental justice through a gorilla for the answer. I enjoy reading and books that have a message and are written creatively with an appreciation for the intellegence of their audience. I don't enjoy receiving the equivalent of a laundry list of things to do to be a better person - it makes me hostile. The only true principle I took from "Ishmael" is this: if you happen to meet a gorilla who tells you to meet him to discuss the failings of the human race- run!
Rating: 
Summary: Odd Ideas, Well Written
Review: Daniel Quinn does a brillant job creating a narrative backgground in which to place some very interesting ideas. I found the ideas to be odd, and the did not strike me as overly insightful. One high note is Quinn's textual analysis of the book of Genesis. A recommended read for those who are looking to examine their lifesyles macroscopically.
Rating:
Summary: Most profound book I've read in years.
Review: For several years now I have maintained a bibliography on sustainable community development for the Community Development Society. If I had to recommend only one book which best addresses the profound concepts associated with this subject, it would be Ishmael. Despite years of research, writing and application related to sustainable development, I had not yet been able to satisfactorily resolve the most difficult questions until I read Ishmael. Quinn has made a contribution to the ages. Now it remains to be seen if enough of us will listen and can make a difference even if we do.
Rating:
Summary: This is, by far, the best book I have ever read!
Review: Quinn's novel articulates beautifully a lesson that we all needto learn. This book speaks to the heart as well as the imagination.It is inspiring! Ishmael teaches that it is not to late... Don't miss this one!
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Summary: In depth book that will stretch and excercise your mind
Review: i liked it alot --top 5 book of all time! oh and to the reader review from boulder---your review on 10/27 was full of fallacies and was absurd. How was ISMAEL an attack on organized religion? completely untruthful? There were many truths ismael points out yet you are full of so many prejudices that i dont think you want to know the truth. WHY oh WHY did you let his opinions offend you? think about it, how come? that is your fault, not Quinn's! this was a great book- some people look at the doughnut and some at the hole. you are looking at a black hole buddy! try being optimistic and let your wall of prejudices vaporize--- then you can be led from the darkness and into the light of the novel, pal. toast
Rating:
Summary: Ishmael will change the way you see the world
Review: The narrator of this thought provoking book knew there was something that someone was not telling us about the way we live. This book is all about the fundamental, underlying assumption that modern culture makes about the world ... and the reason why and how we are driving it to environmental destruction. For anyone who cares about the Earth or their kids' future, or their OWN future, READ THIS BOOK!! It will order your thoughts and make you slap your forehead and say "Of course!" even as it makes you angry, either at the book and its author or at the way we live. Either way, it's important to read.
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Summary: A handbook for those who want to change the world
Review: This book is among the greatest I've ever read - along with The Story of B and My Ishmael. It is an insightful look at the world's problems and how people need to change. Contrary to what some religious fanatics would say, Ishmael is not an attack on religion and Daniel Quinn isn't an immoral person. His explanations are great and very easy to understand. I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever questioned why we're here.
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