Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit

Rating:
Summary: OK, I'm outraged, now what?
Review: While reading the reviews of this book, I was overwhelmed with the number of responses as well as the extremes in the ratings of Ishmael. The fact that a book can generate such extremes in opinions says quite a bit about the power of the book. I read this book for a philosophy class in college-- and am forever grateful that I did. It completely changed the way I viewed the world- and brought further understanding to a favorite bumper sticker of mine: 'if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention'. The point is, I am paying attention, and I am outraged. However, I am left to wonder, what now? I feel like now, I KNOW something I didn't know before, yet the point Quinn made in the beginning remains true. Even with this new found knowledge, I won't be saving the world from itself tomorrow. Instead I will get out of bed and go to a mundane job, like far too many other people out there. I will continue on in this Taker culture, because there is not the option to drop out of society and live the way of the Leavers. This book opened my eyes to so much I had never seen, yet when all was said and done, I am frustrated and left without a thing to do with my outrage. I wonder if the people who gave this book one star read the same book I did. It seems to me as if they completely missed the point.

Rating:
Summary: New way of looking at the world
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. It had its tough to read sections, but overall the message it sent out was excellent. It gave me a new way of looking at the world. (Question is, what do I now do with that knowledge?) It was a good follow up read to Marlo Morgan's "Mutant messages From Down Under" in understanding the structure that makes up our culture (takers) and the native Australians (leavers). It also gave a new way to view the Bible and some of the questions it presents.

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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.

Rating:
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.

Rating:
Summary: A thought-provoking interpretation of human history
Review: Daniel Quinn's novel Ishmael is an electrifying adventure into the heart of human civilization. From the fertile crescent, to modern day, Daniel Quinn teaches us the fundamentals of human history and the stages of our developement. Whether you agree with his interpretation of history or not, there is much to be learned and understood by his earth-shattering conclusions. For most this book is life-changing. Many Universities use it in their curriculums. It takes an open mind to be taught by the books main character, Ishmael, an 800-pound gorilla that telepathically speaks to its students, but this gorilla has much to speak of, and humans have much to learn from him. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an open mind towards human society. And for those who can't get enough of this novel, the sequel My Ishmael will offer a myriad of new themes and topics. Surprisingly for a sequel, My Ishmael is just as good, if not better, than its predecessor. I give this novel a rating of Five stars, and suggest you read it today. To me the book was so good I read it in one sitting.

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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!