Have any of you read any of Daniel Quinn's work?

-- Anonymous, June 15, 2001

Answers

I read the first half of Ishmael. I'm sure one day I'll finish it. It goes along pretty quickly. I'm kind of turned off right now to all of Quinn's works because for the past year practically every day all I've heard about from two of my friends is how incredible Ishmael is and how I just HAVE to read the book, or else I'll rot in hell or something. I just can't stand being bullied into doing things. Although I *was* bullied into reading the first half anyway. I was in study hall with one of said friends, going, "I'm bored", and she shoved the book in my face [does she carry it around for opportunities such as this?] and said I should read it. I did, just so I wouldn't waste away in 80 minutes of study hall hell. Anyway.. school's over now, and I'll probably talk to those friends about 4 times a year in the future, so one day I'll probably pick it up again and finish it.

-- Anonymous, June 15, 2001

I read Ishmael in two days (this is not designed as a "check out how fast I read comment, but rather a "it was that good" comment.) It was without a doubt one of the best books I've written. The ideas are really intelligent and well thought-out and the sort of thing that so few people think about, sadly. I don't think that writing about saving the world is a bad thing in the least considering it's something that REALLY NEEDS TO HAPPEN. It'd be crap if tons of people were doing stuff about it, but they aren't. People go on thinking the earth was made for them (recent example: killing 3,000,000 sheep and cows with foot and mouth because they aren't profitable.) There are several new ideas, too (like the issue of where the stories in the bible came from.) Basically I think it all makes a lot of sense.

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2001

Check out Daniel Quinn's web site here. He has a lot of good things to say.

Also, check out Earth Crash Earth Spirit. This site was put together by someone who's obviosuly been influenced by Quinn. It's very sad but it contains articles that back up Quinn's opinions.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001