The simian scholar tries to distill thousands of years of human wisdom and experience into a few simplistic preachments and parables. Must have an earnest desire to save the world.' So begins a 300-page lecture by a silverback gorilla who expounds his theories on the suicidal plunge of contemporary culture (the Takers) and his belief that learning from tribal cultures (the Leavers) is our only path to survival. In this predictable sequel, disenchanted 12-year-old Julie Gerchak responds to a classified ad: 'Teacher seeks pupil. The book featured a wise, telepathic gorilla who engaged in Socratic dialogue with a young man, teaching him how he could help save the world from its self-destructive path. Out of 2500 entries worldwide, Quinn's quirky first novel, Ishmael, won the prize (which after some controversy, was never awarded again). In 1989, Ted Turner offered a $500,000 fellowship for a work of fiction that offered positive solutions to global problems. And when the time comes to choose a pupil to carry out his greatest mission yet, Ishmael makes a daring decision-a choice that just might change the world.Įxplore Daniel Quinn’s spiritual Ishmael trilogy: Ishmael knows he can't apply the same strategies with Julie that he used with his first pupil, Alan Lomax-nor can he hope for the same outcome. But young Julie proves that she is ready to forge her own spiritual path and arrive at her own destination. But twelve-year-old Julie Gerchak is undaunted by Ishmael’s reluctance to teach someone so young, and convinces him to take her on as his next student. When Ishmael places an advertisement for pupils with “an earnest desire to save the world,” he does not expect a child to answer him.

In My Ishmael, Quinn strikes out into entirely new territory, posing questions that will rock you on your heels, and providing tantalizing possibilities for a truly new world vision.”-Susan Chernak McElroy, author of Animals as Teachers & Healers “Enthralling, shocking, hope-filled, and utterly fearless, Daniel Quinn leads us deeper and deeper into the human heart, history, and spirit. An extraordinary and startlingly original sequel to Ishmael

My ishmael book