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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
This book is landing firmly on the list of books that changed my life, or at the very least one that changed the way I think. With such a unique point of view, this book unfolds into so many "aha" moments about our modern human existence. Beautiful and validating, this book inspires and reveals.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The best way to describe Ishmael is that its a non-fiction fiction book. This book will make you reflect and rethink things youve learned or have been taught in life. It challenges a lot of things we know. It keeps you pulled in and does an excellent job of wanting to you to know more.
I waited a few days to write a review for this book because I felt so conflicted. On one hand this book feels like a book everyone should read. It’s going to stick with me for a very long time and has already changed the way I think about evolution, humans and the planet at large. I’ve always been passionate about the environment so a lot of this book felt like it was written for me.
The writing style is tough. I actually had to look at cliff notes for the first two chapters and re read them because I had no idea what was going on. Another reviewer mentioned this book offers no solutions. Several others said that it’s harsh in its observations of food production (to be brief) I’m not sure what to say to that. I don’t think the author is really suggesting we starve people or commit genocide. He just sees a problem and the most obvious solution. The way we humans interact with the world isn’t okay and so the author used a gorilla to convey the bad news. Rather than being upset about a fictional gorilla possibly suggesting genocide maybe just take a step back and understand that the author is doing his part to bring about change. He’s trying to get you to think. Or maybe he actually wants us to commit genocide. Who knows?
Personally, I thought the value in this book outweighed the negatives. We should all try to be more thoughtful about the planet and our role as humans.
I’m not sure at what age I’ll have my son read this book (maybe 12 or 13) but it’s definitely on my list for him.
The writing style is tough. I actually had to look at cliff notes for the first two chapters and re read them because I had no idea what was going on. Another reviewer mentioned this book offers no solutions. Several others said that it’s harsh in its observations of food production (to be brief) I’m not sure what to say to that. I don’t think the author is really suggesting we starve people or commit genocide. He just sees a problem and the most obvious solution. The way we humans interact with the world isn’t okay and so the author used a gorilla to convey the bad news. Rather than being upset about a fictional gorilla possibly suggesting genocide maybe just take a step back and understand that the author is doing his part to bring about change. He’s trying to get you to think. Or maybe he actually wants us to commit genocide. Who knows?
Personally, I thought the value in this book outweighed the negatives. We should all try to be more thoughtful about the planet and our role as humans.
I’m not sure at what age I’ll have my son read this book (maybe 12 or 13) but it’s definitely on my list for him.
I read this book in high school, and I remember it being very formative to my worldview. I thought it was the best book I'd ever read. Going back to it now, as an adult, I can see and appreciate the parts that were flawed alongside the parts that were brilliant. I was less thrilled by the reference to a Mother Culture than I was in the past, and I think it has to do with the fact that there's an underlying typecasting of women as nurturers that happens so often in media.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A