Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

[eyePod]

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227265.Ishmael

Not sure if anyone else has read this, but it really hits home to me. On top of that, there's great discussion in the book on why certain things that are going on in our culture are accepted even though they're negative or destroying the environment. In general, it's all about enacting a story.

The reason I bring it up here is that MMM has given us a different story than our normal, consumer one that's beaten into our heads starting when we're a child.

Anywho, sorry for the rambling, but just finished it again and thought some others might enjoy the book.

[arebelspy]

Previously discussed (sort of - not much discussion, maybe not a popular book?) here:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/reader-recommendations/ishmael-by-daniel-quinn/

[eyePod]

Thanks! I searched in the book section and didn't find anything. I'll add my 2 cents over on the other side.

[grantmeaname]

Ishmael is probably the book that influenced my life the most at the time I read it, and changed my worldview the most. As arebelspy mentioned in his post in the other thread, I'd be curious to reread it now and see how my thoughts have changed. The notion seems more and more simplistic the more often I revisit it (in conversation with somebody else who's read it, maybe), but I'd want to really reread it and not dismiss it based on that impression.

The Holy by the same author remains one of my favorite books.

[MgoSam]

Thanks for the reminder about this book. I recall reading it in high school and it having a profound impact on me at that moment. I need to back and reread it. Another book that I should read is "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance," have you read it?

[grantmeaname]

I haven't, have you? Do you want to reread it or just plain read it?

[arebelspy]

I've read it, and enjoyed it.

It's one of those super popular over-hyped books, but it's still quite good.

[grantmeaname]

That's how I felt about Illusions, though the author is better known for another work. A little bit of the Oprah's book club vibe going, but a solid book nonetheless.

[MgoSam]

I haven't, have you? Do you want to reread it or just plain read it?

No I haven't, but I have a 7 hour drive for work on Sunday, and a return trip on Wednesday so I hope to listen to this on my way. If I do, I'll post something when finished.

[Samala]

Ishmael is the one of a handful of books I re-read every few years.  The two that follow it, My Ishmael and Story of B, are just as interesting although at certain points you feel Quinn is hammering away at you impolitely instead of goading you forward in the maiuetic manner.

The wonderful thing about these books is that, depending on where you are in life, you get something slightly different out of them.  Certainly my response to them has varied immensely since first reading Ishmael at 12 and again this year at 31.

>Sam