I read almost constantly. Books are the best way to learn, as well as get some cheap and long-lasting entertainment. I usually devour Stephen King, and almost anything else that's action-packed and fun. But occasionally, I like to try and educate myself and expand my mind with books. On the Road was one of these, as well as Stranger in a Strange Land and The Celestine Prophecy. These kinds of books serve to take readers outside their comfort zone and show them another aspect of life they perhaps had never consider before.

Ishmael is another one of these books.

Author Daniel Quinn spins a dialogue-based teaching, giving readers practically a point by point way to 1) be aware of the world around them, 2) know their own role in that world, and 3) know how to save it. That's right. Ishmael is a book about how to save the world. And guess what? Quinn might just be on to something here.

Usually whenever someone would talk to me about "saving the world" I would nod politely in the right places, make a couple of monosyllabic responses, and pretend like I was listening. But usually I'd be thinking about what I needed to buy at the store or what that thing was stuck in my teeth. In other words, I didn't pay attention. And that's because every world-saving theory anyone would spout out was the same old boring things everyone's been saying for as long as I can remember. Save the rain forest, save the oceans, save the third-world countries. These are all very good and noble, and we definitely need to do them. But we need to think a little more general, less specific. Ishmael helps guide you through the process.

The book begins with our protagonist reading an ad in the paper: "Teacher seeks pupil. Must have an honest desire to save the world. Apply in person." Consider Ishmael the advertisement, and Daniel Quinn as the teacher. If you're a pupil with an honest desire to do something, anything about the state of our souls and planet, then go out and read this book. If you're a human being with any intelligence whatsoever, then this book will open your mind, heart, and soul.

BUY ISHMAEL! READ THIS DAMN BOOK!

I can't put it any simpler than that. Until next time, kids.

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