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Beyond Civilization by Daniel Quinn
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A lot of the ideas presented in those three books run counter to what most of us have been taught throughout our lives. Because of that, they can be confusing and difficult to understand, not to mention practice. Beyond Civilization serves to clarify these ideas and show how they can be applied.
My favorite part about this book--and Daniel Quinn's philosophy in general--is that it deals with things as they are, not as they should be. Rather than stating how things SHOULD be in order to get better, he seeks to answer "HOW can we make things better?" The message isn't one of idealism, selflessness, or waiting. It's about what we can do NOW to live sustainably, and in its realism, it's one of the most hopeful books I've read when it comes to sustainability.
On the other hand, the unique format took a little getting used to, and his parables can be somewhat confusing and vague. Moreover, this book is best absorbed after having read the trilogy (which is what I did). Otherwise, the content might not make much sense because it'd be out of context. This book is most appropriate for anyone concerned with the practical application of Quinn's philosophy and concepts.
Specifically, Beyond Civilization aims at showing us a new way
to look at things--a paradigm that supports sustainability and fulfills our needs--and provides examples. Daniel Quinn explains why programs will never work as long as we see the world the way we do. But the only way to dispel an old paradigm is to provide a new and better one.
Mr. Quinn in this book provides a blueprint for a new system...one based on a form of social organization that worked for us in the past: tribalism. But he's NOT proposing that we return to hunting and gathering, nor that we live in a cave. He's envisioning a system well-suited to human needs and tendencies, and he calls it a tribal economy.
The part the struck a chord with me, and touches on the basis of this site, is this:
When I speak, as I did in Ishmael, of 'another story to be in,' they seem to imagine I'm touting a sort of miserable half-life of voluntary poverty, donning sackcloth and ashes to do penance for our environmental sins. They're sure that living in a sustainable way must be about 'giving up' things. It doesn't occur to them that living in an UNsustainable way is also about giving up things, very precious things like security, hope, light-heartedness, and freedom from anxiety, fear, and guilt. (p. 86)If you can relate to this statement, then I encourage you to read Beyond Civilization as a follow up to the Ishmael trilogy. Keep an open mind, and sustainability will start looking like more and more of a possibility.
If you found this review helpful and you decide to buy Beyond Civilization (or any of the books recommended on this site), please do so from Amazon through one of these links. Your courtesy will help keep this site going, and would be greatly appreciated by me.
Did you enjoy this review? Then you might also be interested in the SustainableWays.com monthly newsletter. Check it out and read past issues by clicking here.
Here are some other things you might be interested in:
-Daniel Quinn's official website, Ishmael.org
-Another great Ishmael website: ReadIshmael.com
-The Ishmael trilogy at Amazon.com: Ishmael, The Story of B, and My Ishmael.