Ishmael: An Adventure of
the Mind and Spirit

This column is a rarity in The Music Box, and though I'd love to cover more books, we just don't always have the space. But every once in awhile, a book comes along that demands to be read.  Daniel Quinn's Ishmael is one of these books. Granted, it has nothing to do music, but long-time readers of The Music Box know that I have a penchant for bringing up important environmental issues. Whether you think the world is in trouble or think things are fine as they are, this book will enthrall you with its thought-provoking dialogue.

Ishmael is not really a novel, but is more of a captivating philosophical discussion of the history of humankind.  Through a conversation between a man and a great ape, Quinn reveals a jarring spin on where man came from, and uses this as a springboard to show where the human race is headed if we do not change our ways. 

It's a quick and easy read, but it's also best taken in small chunks so that you have time to think about what you've read. Fortunately, Quinn divides the book into thirteen main sections, which leads me to believe that that's how he wanted it to be digested.