Rebecca W. (vizslalady) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 169 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
This book will give you a whole new way to look at your life and the life our culture tells us is good. You will end up with more questions than answers, but the questions are a place to start. Let Ishmael be your teacher and come along on the journey.
Helpful Score: 5
Fascinating book! The premise is off-beat, to say the least, but the wisdom imparted by the unusual scholar was insightful. I couldn't put this one down.
Mary Ann P. (MaryAnn1228) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 39 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
if you believe a miracle is a change in perception, than this book is a miracle. I used to think the world will be wonderful when we have all blended into one color... now I see how diveristy makes strenght and in a way, keeping diversity is a way heal our challenged earth.
Helpful Score: 2
A very interesting thought experiment. Great if you like philosophy or history.
Helpful Score: 2
This book a quick read with subtle political commentary.
Rebecca J. reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Amazing book about our humanity's relationship to the rest of creation. It will change how you think.
IONE L. (zaneygraylady) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 57 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent. I went on to read every book I could find by this author.
Helpful Score: 1
thought provoking spiritual ideas
Darlena W. (darlena42) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I know I shouldn't rate a book that I didn't finish, but I just couldn't do it. I am an environmentalist, and I do believe that overpopulation will be bad for the people and the wildlife, but this book is just too extremist. The "dialog" is completely unnecessary, because the conversation is mostly Ishmael lecturing and our main character saying "yes" "I suppose" "go on" "right" which adds absolutely nothing to the story. It also takes the author a quarter of the book to get to his first point which is "man believes that the gods created the universe for humans" and another quarter of the book to get to his second point which is "We living by trial-and-error, and we're plummeting towards destruction, but we think it's okay, because we haven't destroyed ourselves yet." At that point, I'm done with the book. It's over the top, and poorly written and I don't care how it ends. This book convinced some crazy guy to take the Discovery Channel hostage because they weren't doing enough to curb population growth, so I wanted to at least check it out.
Priscilla P. (happyreedr) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Ishmael should be required reading for every high school student. Phenominal book if you take the time to delve between the layers. An easy and fun read, that attempts to help the reader look at life from a completely different angle. As new age, intellectual, religious or spiritual one may believe they are, this is a completely different reflection. I look forward to reading the authors other works. This book moves to the top of my favorites along with Atlas Shrugged and The Celestine Prophecy.
Heather F. (AZmom875) -
Helpful Score: 1
I had a general idea of what this book was about before I read it. Also for that reason, I put off reading it because it seemed to me that it was a thinker book. That the subject matter might be too deep, too intellectual or too boring. By page 19 this book had me hooked and knew that this book was a keeper, one I will not post, because I would like my teenage and adult kids to read it.
Another reason I put off reading this book was I feared it would be a BASHER. Bashing religion or eating meat, or bashing the whole western ideology. This book was not a basher. It doesnt offend or even really accuse. It explains.
The way the author writes, is simple enough for those in high school to understand, so you dont need a big college degree to understand this book, it isnt full of debates about philosophy. (another fear). I was impressed at how step upon step the author explained the story of life as we know it, and maybe why it isnt working out so well for We Humans and the Planet.
I think my only frustration, is Now what? What do I do with this information? I didnt see how I could change my behavior in any way that would make a difference, I only saw how I could change how I see the world, but I am not sure that is enough to really change our destruction. I gathered from the end that the only thing I could do is encourage others to understand where we went wrong.
Keep in mind the book never suggests you give up your life and move to a hut in desert. It doesnt teach you to recycle or reduce your carbon footprint, or eat less meat. It does humble you though, but without any lashes to your back, as expected.
Give it a read. See if you see what I saw, and feel free to send me a personal message if you can see more into how change the world together.
Another reason I put off reading this book was I feared it would be a BASHER. Bashing religion or eating meat, or bashing the whole western ideology. This book was not a basher. It doesnt offend or even really accuse. It explains.
The way the author writes, is simple enough for those in high school to understand, so you dont need a big college degree to understand this book, it isnt full of debates about philosophy. (another fear). I was impressed at how step upon step the author explained the story of life as we know it, and maybe why it isnt working out so well for We Humans and the Planet.
I think my only frustration, is Now what? What do I do with this information? I didnt see how I could change my behavior in any way that would make a difference, I only saw how I could change how I see the world, but I am not sure that is enough to really change our destruction. I gathered from the end that the only thing I could do is encourage others to understand where we went wrong.
Keep in mind the book never suggests you give up your life and move to a hut in desert. It doesnt teach you to recycle or reduce your carbon footprint, or eat less meat. It does humble you though, but without any lashes to your back, as expected.
Give it a read. See if you see what I saw, and feel free to send me a personal message if you can see more into how change the world together.
Nancy M. (imnellen) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 246 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I love books that make you think- and this one does!!!!!
Alyssa F. (acrompton) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
I could not get into this book - even after reading it half way through. Maybe I was too impatient, but I need a book to grab me sooner than that.
Margaretta B. (moonlightenvy) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on
I was interested in this book at first, but I could not get into it. I finished it and it got better towards the end. Interesting premise.
Jerry B. reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Very powerful read. I still think about it often. However I think it could have all been said it half the text.
I've read all of Daniel Quinn's books. Read this when it came out years ago have owned many copies, always find someone to give them to. Love the story the movie did not really do justice to book but it was good. I recommend The Holy & Story of B as well. Takers? ;-)
This is one of my favorite books. This book will make you think about how your presence on Earth is interconnected and affected by/affects others.
Gerri B. (asha) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
I read this book several years ago and loved it...gave it to a friend.
A few years later I checked it out from the library and re-read it.
I saw it on the list and ordered it for a friend and re-read it before giving it to her.
:). You could say that the book touched me.
A few years later I checked it out from the library and re-read it.
I saw it on the list and ordered it for a friend and re-read it before giving it to her.
:). You could say that the book touched me.
Katherine M. (kbm) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
wonderful
Josiah M. reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 52 more book reviews
Good ideas that we should follow.
Marci G. (cornfields) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 26 more book reviews
Interesting and moving read.
Lisa J. (axeljarrett) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 31 more book reviews
Very thought provoking.
Dave C. (dacollins46) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
An unusual and exceptional book, with many ideas to contemplate.
One of the top five books I have read.
Leola C. (swamponkeymom) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 353 more book reviews
I only read this book to accomplish an author from every letter of the alphabet. Just not my cup of tea.
Dennis M. (maltinej) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
not as good as any derrick jensen commentaries on modern culture and the destruction of the world for our own selfish and unnecessary purposes, but should be required reading for anyone with a soul. if this were required reading or even a continuing curriculum material in schools MEYABE people would start to live with a little more responsible outlook on life and the world we live in....
Bree G. (paisleywings) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 232 more book reviews
This is one of my all-time favorite books. Talking gorilla and all. Very interesting look into life and the world.
Jesse O. (Jesse) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 26 more book reviews
I don't agree with the philosophy, but a lot of people do
Annette W. reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 35 more book reviews
Incredibly powerful. Thought provoking.
Lots of food for thought, a great book to think the world and our thinking over...
Don't get mislead by the mind reading monkey!
Don't get mislead by the mind reading monkey!
Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 1176 more book reviews
A few months ago, I read another book by Daniel Quinn called After Dachau and was really impressed by it. Upon learning more about Quinn, I found out that his most famous and discussed work is ISHMAEL. So I found a copy of this and now finally got around to reading it. Again, I was impressed by Quinn's work. This novel is basically a philosophical study of the roots of man and how man's tendencies are leading towards the total destruction of life on Earth as we know it. This argument is presented by an intelligent gorilla. The narrator of the novel sees an ad in the paper stating: "Teacher Seeks Pupil. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person." So when he answers the ad, he comes upon a massive gorilla behind glass who it turns out is intelligent and can communicate with him telepathically. Okay, so that piqued my interest! The novel goes on with the gorilla's (named Ishmael) perspective on how man came to be and how civilized man took a turn about 10,000 years ago when he started producing his own food. This agricultural revolution led in turn to all of man's achievements and to the overpopulation of the world which is what ultimately is Earth's downfall. Before that time, mankind was basically a hunter gatherer society who lived in harmony with the rest of the creatures on earth. So what is the answer to the dilemma facing mankind? Going back to a hunter gather society? Not very feasible! One thing mentioned that could help would be a redistribution of wealth and power which is something that has been discussed and proposed by politicians for a long time and especially now. Tax the rich?
This book was really thought provoking and probably deserves to be read by a wide audience. Whether its arguments are sound is a good question. I read several other reviews of this book and some were very negative citing faulty logic being used. But I really enjoyed it and I'm sure I will be thinking about this one for awhile.
This book was really thought provoking and probably deserves to be read by a wide audience. Whether its arguments are sound is a good question. I read several other reviews of this book and some were very negative citing faulty logic being used. But I really enjoyed it and I'm sure I will be thinking about this one for awhile.
Sharon G. (mustangsharon) reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 84 more book reviews
I adore this book. It really puts humans in their place. We need to change our way of thinking about the resources of our planet and go from being harvesters of anything we want to protectors of what we have been gifted. This book is every bit as relevant today as it was when it was written over 25 years ago, especially with the rain forests being burned for business and islands of plastic floating in the oceans. Are we really as smart as we think we are? Would the world be better if humans ceased to exist? The actual story is meh, but the message is amazing.
Wade R. reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 91 more book reviews
interesting outlook, worth the read, to expand your outlook.
R B. reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 203 more book reviews
An interesting view of what has happened to our society.
Carol S. reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Very good
Todd K. reviewed Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael Bk 1) on + 51 more book reviews
Hippie book about saving the world, and talking to a monkey
