Customer Reviews
Excellent - By: Steven R. McEvoy, 31 May 2008 
Much like the One Book for Waterloo this year, Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer, this book looks at the history of humankind on this planet & alll we have done to it. It will challlenge the prevailing belief that more & bigger is better. The book begins with an ad in the paper "TEACHER seeks pupil. Must have earnest desire to save the world. Apply in Person." In the book, the gorilla Ishmael has learned to communicate through thought with humans. He also has a message that we cannot afford not to hear. The book focuses around a series of conversations between Ishmael & his student. It presents a different interpretation of how we went from being a hunter-gather society to an agrarian one. Also how that system is bound to fail. For me the most haunting thing in the book is two quotes. Early on we see a poster that states: "WITH MAN GONE, WILL THERE BE HOPE FOR GORILLA?" p.9 & much later, on the back of the first poster, "WITH GORILLA GONE, WILL THERE BE HOPE FOR MAN?" p.263. This is a great read especiallly for a sunny summer afternoon, or two. This is also the first in a trilogy.
Daniel Quinns book "mind expandingly good" - By: Alan, 20 May 2008 his slant on the first book of the bible - genesis - was astounding but every page seemed to have another equallly brilliant point to make - each of which fitted into a greater message. I would like to meet this rather brilliant man & have him clear up a few issues i still had at the end of the book. On re-reading it became clearer but still unfortunately some insights still elude me i am sure.
A HELPFUL ADDITION TO READING THIS BOOK WOULD BE TO WATCH THE 'TRIBE' EPISODES DONE BY BRUCE PARRY WHO EXPLORES THOSE LAST VESTIGES OF HUNTER-GATHERER COMMUNITY STILL EXTANT - HUNTER-GATHERERS ARE CONTINUALLY TALKED ABOUT IN THIS BOOK AND I FOUND THIS BOOK A MUCH BETTER READ AFTER ALREADY HAVING INSIGHT INTO THE HUNTER-GATHERER EXISTENCE.
IT'S A DECENT READ - By: G. Harwood, 04 May 2008 
Not life changing for me as described, but rather good never the less. Worth a read, the answer is the obvious & scary one & if you think a little further you find yourself wondering if he is pro, anti God or neither. Your choice may release you form any responsibility or bind you to the ultimate responsibility of mankind. Choose your path wisely.
Pupil seeks more teaching - By: Peter J. Fleming, 09 Jan 2008 
Quinn's writing in this piece is purposeful, steady, clear & almost linear in approach, yet engrossing, engaging & thought provoking. The subject matter, as discussed between the unlikliest of teachers & his apprehensive pupil, takes us through the history of 'how things came to be the way they are', prompting the reader to ask questions of themself & society at large & to consider their own culpability in & responsibility for the current 'state of affairs'.
It seems as though Ishmael is steering us towards some sort of resolution or answer & I, as a reader, am perfectly willing to be lead
thought provoking for sure - By: N. Marik, 06 Jun 2007 The book, in its unique setting of a dialectical exchange, challlenges 3 fundamental assumptions which alll of us consider as a given:
a) That alll of existence is human-centric, & the buck stops with us
b) That we know how to live life - despite so many messiahs having to come to earth in every age to show us how to
c) That we alone are god's instruments of change for the better
It eventuallly makes us revisit the very basis of our manifesto as the be-alll & end-alll of divine prophecy.
