Ishmael is a captivating and mind expanding journey that provides a fresh perspective of the relationship between man and the Earth. Through the book, Quinn teaches that the laws that work best are the laws of nature. This is in opposition to our current system which is based on man's laws. It also teaches that it is impossible to fix the world by enacting laws. In order to save the world we must alter the way we think about the planet and our relationships to it.
The story begins as a dialog between the narrator, a middle-aged writer, and a wise gorilla, named Ishmael. The narrator answers a classified ad that reads "Teacher seeks pupil. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person." Through a series of meetings with the narrator, Ishmael provides us with proactive insight as to how we came to perceive human history and our culture the way we do.
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