Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Really quick read. I found the writing poor, but it did keep me in suspense. I don't agree with the arguments, but I appreciate having this perspective being spelled out to me coherently because it does give me something to ponder. I want to look into the idea that the story of Genesis came from Leavers (the Semitic herders).
I have been recommended to read this book by a fair few people and I know some for whom this is their favourite book ever.
I found this book to be preachy and pretty boring. If I was someone who didn't have to finish any book I start, I wouldn't have finished it.
There were a few interesting points but on the whole because of the way it was written I just lost all interest in it.
Definitely a disappointment
I found this book to be preachy and pretty boring. If I was someone who didn't have to finish any book I start, I wouldn't have finished it.
There were a few interesting points but on the whole because of the way it was written I just lost all interest in it.
Definitely a disappointment
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Holy shistenfluff I just saw that this was written in 1992! It is as relevant as ever. So thought provoking. It is rare that you are confronted with somewhat original ideas that challenge your understanding of the world. And this is definitely that. It can get quite philosophical and didactic but not in an annoying sort of way - at least for my taste.
Wow.
This book was so interesting. It was also extremely thought-provoking and unique, eye-opening even. That is something I have been CRAVING from books lately. And I finally got it!
Beautiful story, heartwarming, yet, so eye-opening and thoughtful. It was just SO GOOD.
I just got back from a road trip, so yes, this review is a mess, but aren't we all messes anyway? Whatever. Next review soon to come!
This book was so interesting. It was also extremely thought-provoking and unique, eye-opening even. That is something I have been CRAVING from books lately. And I finally got it!
Beautiful story, heartwarming, yet, so eye-opening and thoughtful. It was just SO GOOD.
I just got back from a road trip, so yes, this review is a mess, but aren't we all messes anyway? Whatever. Next review soon to come!
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Jump scare near the end where Ishmael says Donald Trump couldn't buy himself out of prison
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Return to monke?
3.5 stars
When a friend, or even an acquaintance in some instances (I'm thinking back to my read of Help at Any Cost: How the Troubled-Teen Industry Cons Parents and Hurts Kids by Maia Szalavitz) hands me a book and says, "I think you'll like this" or "I think you will be interested in this" I do my level best to get it read, honor the person who suggested it, and cross my fingers that I will be able to read it with interest! Recommending books is a little like buying a shirt for someone and not quite knowing if the size, color, style will appeal to them or fit them.
A friend mentioned this book as an all-time favorite and I made mental note. Then a couple of weeks later he hands it to me at work and says, "I just went ahead and bought you a copy." Yes, he loves this book that much!
Usually when I read a book I stay away from reviews - I want to make up my own mind. But for whatever dumb reason I read reviews of this title just before starting it and well...I shouldn't have. The overall dislike of the book stood out to me and I was skeptical when I started reading. I confess I was trying to figure out ways to kindly tell my friend who loves this book that I just didn't. Silly me.
Another confession - I didn't really *get* this book and Ishmael's message until the last couple of chapters. Because I didn't, I started rereading it immediately upon finishing it. Reading it through the second time with a foundational understanding is really helping my read of it in general.
So even though I'm not quite done with my second read of the book I'm calling it finished because this second read is really getting the puzzle put together for me.
"Teacher seeks pupil. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person."
Written in first person this is the story of Ishmael, a gorilla who is looking for people to pass on wisdom about how to save the world. Ishmael's newest pupil is there in a moment of anger and incredulity about this idea or desire to save the world. He tried it before, when he was younger, and it didn't work and how dare anyone suggest that it could? So he goes to Ishmael to tell him off but finds himself drawn into what Ishmael has to impart.
And, it turns out, what Ishmael has to say about saving the world is really challenging and quite hard to wrap the mind around. I'm still thinking through the things that Quinn believes about saving the world and has used this story to communicate. I thought I might disagree but it turns out I don't think I do. There's the Takers, the Leavers, what the world was made for, the prisons we've locked ourselves into, and the story of how we got to where we are at today and how we can turn around and correct course (assuming of course we disagree with the direction things have turned and going). There are some definite commentary statements from Quinn that I found to be really well said. When I finished the title I found myself feeling a little like I suppose the narrator did - dazed, contemplative, and wanting to start the lessons all over again to make sure I understood the message of Ishmael.
When a friend, or even an acquaintance in some instances (I'm thinking back to my read of Help at Any Cost: How the Troubled-Teen Industry Cons Parents and Hurts Kids by Maia Szalavitz) hands me a book and says, "I think you'll like this" or "I think you will be interested in this" I do my level best to get it read, honor the person who suggested it, and cross my fingers that I will be able to read it with interest! Recommending books is a little like buying a shirt for someone and not quite knowing if the size, color, style will appeal to them or fit them.
A friend mentioned this book as an all-time favorite and I made mental note. Then a couple of weeks later he hands it to me at work and says, "I just went ahead and bought you a copy." Yes, he loves this book that much!
Usually when I read a book I stay away from reviews - I want to make up my own mind. But for whatever dumb reason I read reviews of this title just before starting it and well...I shouldn't have. The overall dislike of the book stood out to me and I was skeptical when I started reading. I confess I was trying to figure out ways to kindly tell my friend who loves this book that I just didn't. Silly me.
Another confession - I didn't really *get* this book and Ishmael's message until the last couple of chapters. Because I didn't, I started rereading it immediately upon finishing it. Reading it through the second time with a foundational understanding is really helping my read of it in general.
So even though I'm not quite done with my second read of the book I'm calling it finished because this second read is really getting the puzzle put together for me.
"Teacher seeks pupil. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person."
Written in first person this is the story of Ishmael, a gorilla who is looking for people to pass on wisdom about how to save the world. Ishmael's newest pupil is there in a moment of anger and incredulity about this idea or desire to save the world. He tried it before, when he was younger, and it didn't work and how dare anyone suggest that it could? So he goes to Ishmael to tell him off but finds himself drawn into what Ishmael has to impart.
And, it turns out, what Ishmael has to say about saving the world is really challenging and quite hard to wrap the mind around. I'm still thinking through the things that Quinn believes about saving the world and has used this story to communicate. I thought I might disagree but it turns out I don't think I do. There's the Takers, the Leavers, what the world was made for, the prisons we've locked ourselves into, and the story of how we got to where we are at today and how we can turn around and correct course (assuming of course we disagree with the direction things have turned and going). There are some definite commentary statements from Quinn that I found to be really well said. When I finished the title I found myself feeling a little like I suppose the narrator did - dazed, contemplative, and wanting to start the lessons all over again to make sure I understood the message of Ishmael.
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Philosophy disguising as fiction. Man what a refreshing read. You want confirmation you should abandon capitalism? Read Ishmael. Return to our roots. Stop drinking the Taker kool aid and return to being a Leaver. Let me be a Leaver!
Shocking and upsetting how relevant this still is today. Donald trump is named explicitly! Like, wow, nothing has changed in 50 years.
Shocking and upsetting how relevant this still is today. Donald trump is named explicitly! Like, wow, nothing has changed in 50 years.