Rating: 
Summary: Bad novel, flawed philosophy, inaccurate theology, nice try.
Review: The only redeeming thing about this book is the authors desire to "save the world". As a tract it would have been three pages-- I would have appreciated that so I could have moved on to something else quicker. The author unfortunately represents many of the "do-gooders" in our society. To his credit he wants to make a positive difference, unfortunately he does not have the discipline of thought to work through the problems that are complex, much less the solutions that are complex to the extreme. Instead he relies on a pedantic attack on whatever is bugging him at his brief moment of thought. The central issue facing us is not the wrong story, but the basic nature of man. As is so often the case our greatest strengths are our greatest weaknesses. Our curiosity, ambition and desire to accomplish and achieve can be and have been the source of great achievement for the betterment of the world. When taken to extreme they become egoistic greed, for power, money or fame,and at any costs. This much more complex and intriguing issue would have made the basis for a better novel and a much more thoughtful analysis of what man is doing to himself, his society, the earth and the universe. To bad he wasted an opportunity by taking the easy way out.
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Summary: READING QUINN FOR THE WRONG REASONS
Review: Having read Ishmael, My Ishmael and the Story of B, I believe that many readers who attack Quinn's writings are reading the stories for the wrong reasons to begin with. Admittedly, the "stories" in each of these books are weak at best, with uninspiring, often dim witted characters, but one must consider that it is doubtfull that Quinn every wrote them from an entertainmer's point of view. These "stories" are but vehicles for Quinn's often very insightful, and if nothing else, fairly unique view of humaity. If you are looking for a good story, go some place else. If you are looking for what many consider "life changing" ideas and perspectives, you should definately read Ishmael, My Ishmael and the Story of B.
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Summary: IT WILL CHANGE YOUR WHOLE OUTLOOK ON LIFE AND THE WORLD
Review: This is AMAZING-read it-absolutely INCREDIBL
Rating:
Summary: If it feels good, write it.
Review: This is an interesting book in that it indicts human civilization for covering up a 'true' cultural history and for being creative rational beings. I wouldn't mind if the author attempted to back up the thesis with solid evidence or at least good analysis, but the author attempts to convince the reader by invoking wishful environmentalist thinking while showing a lack of understanding of biological, ecological and physical processes. I kept wishing that the human questioner would have taken one course in environmental biology and studied just a bit of physics. Then, instead of asking 'Gee Whiz!' style questions of the ape, he could have grilled him. That would have been interesting! Of course, many would argue that the scales haven't fallen from my eyes yet - that just by criticizing it shows that I didn't get it. If you dislike the cold glare of logic, analysis and reason, and are more interested in basking in the warming glow of sociological anthropology and emotion, read this book.
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Summary: This is the most interesting and life changing books ever.
Review: If you are interested in saving this planet, as well as reading a good book (choose Ishmael). I would suggest this book to anyone with an open mind. Tell your friends about this book.
Rating:
Summary: It couldn't be better
Review: I had to read this book for a sociology class at my university. This was definetely the highlight of the semester. The insight into human, or should I say Western, nature is right on target. Cain and Abel prehistoric propoganda? Who knew! My recommendation: take notes! Don't read it for what's written on the page, read it for what it makes you think. And then read it again.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing ideas, slow, slow beginning
Review: Ishmael changed the way I thought about our culture, society and world. While it's ideas were totally new to me, and showed me different ways of thinking about the world, the beginning was way too slow- I only read it because of a recommendation. The ideas are almost astounding. READ THIS BOOK!
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Summary: If you love animals--a "deep read" you can't stop reading!
Review: While discussing a local wildlife controversy (via e-mail) with a lady who writes a Wildlife Q&A column for the Houston area, "Ishmael" was recommended to me.It's so refreshing to see that someone else (Daniel Quinn) "really gets the fact" that by destroying our planet, we are also exterminating the wildlife along with it (including ourselves). People are on this planet to care for it and all of its creatures, not to lord over it and destroy everything they touch (for their own greed, of course). If we're not careful, we may just make ourselves extinct in the process (hopefully that will be the "Takers" and not the "Leavers"). "Ishmael" starts as a difficult read, but stick with it--it is worth it! My husband usually isn't interested in the books I read, but when I explained the premise of a gorilla as a teacher, he couldn't resist. It's the first time in a long time that I've seen him with a book that he just couldn't put down! I'm glad I'm a "Leaver" and always have been. I also agree with other reviewers that people who didn't like the book, just didn't get it, or are obviously "Takers"--big time! Those of us who like the book should take Daniel Quinn's advice and write to him at the address in the back of his book. Maybe we CAN get something started, ONE person at a time.
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Summary: Just read IT!
Review: Jsut Read It
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable and profound
Review: ISHMAEL, by Daniel Quinn, was an extremely inspiring and well-written read. The awkwardness and frustrating initial stages of the Socratic Method Quinn uses to make his arguments and tell the story take some getting used to, but is well worth the wait. Once you begin to see more clearly where he is going with the plot you are instantly entranced and will find it very hard to put the book down. In retrospect, I can't see how the book could be written in any other way but Socratically. The main character, Ishmael, is a 500-pound gorilla and completely unrealistic and incomprehensible initially. However, once you have grasped the plot the gorilla is not only appropriate, but necessary and believable, as you will see at the end of the book. Quinn beautifully blends anthropology, religion, philosophy, economics, and ecology into a wonderful, profound, and life-awakening story. I truly enjoyed the way Quinn does not make the overstated claim that today's culture must revert back to the old days, but instead fosters a change for mankind that is appropriate, possible, and not cliche. The whole plot is about saving the world. However, the remedy is not to go backwards but to go "creatively" forward (I am trying not to give too much of the book away). Please read ISHMAEL. You won't regret it (but be patient with the first 50-75 pages).
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