For what it was, it was good. I would have liked to have read this as a bit of a primer in my Buddhism class back in college. I'll probably forward itFor what it was, it was good. I would have liked to have read this as a bit of a primer in my Buddhism class back in college. I'll probably forward it to my mom, even if the metaphor gets lost on her. Quick, motivational reads will never get less than 3 stars in my book, though rarely will they ever inspire me to move mountains either, so 4 would probably wind up the most anyway. ...more
I especially liked the way it came together with the original tale, Ishmael, during the last few chapters of the book. I was less impressed with Ish'sI especially liked the way it came together with the original tale, Ishmael, during the last few chapters of the book. I was less impressed with Ish's teaching style this time around, but there was certainly more excitement at its conclusion....more
Update: re-read in 2017 (possibly the only book I've ever read twice?) and stand by my original assessment/review (as follows).
Declensionist without qUpdate: re-read in 2017 (possibly the only book I've ever read twice?) and stand by my original assessment/review (as follows).
Declensionist without question, but incredibly tastefully done. I'd never been a huge fan of philosophy-styled writing, but mostly because philosophy books are generally confusing to me. This maintained the style, almost "philosophy for dummies"-esque, and re-told the story of humankind's evolutionary history. It was, in a nutshell, my Environmental History course rolled up into one easy-to-read 265 pages, with the ironic notion of it being taught by a gorilla. ...more
I still like the idea of communism, though it's not exactly possible. Maybe some re-interpretation of Marx and Engle's work could provide for a variatI still like the idea of communism, though it's not exactly possible. Maybe some re-interpretation of Marx and Engle's work could provide for a variation of it. Sadly, if everything he's said was true: (a) why hasn't there been a communist revolution, and (b) why does he need to write the book if the revolution is "inevitable." Not an entirely bad theory, though....more
Unfortunately the fourth generation translation is kind of shoddy, but for his time Ari's ideas are ideal. Of course, for the free world today, they'dUnfortunately the fourth generation translation is kind of shoddy, but for his time Ari's ideas are ideal. Of course, for the free world today, they'd be ludicrous. ...more
A little confusing, in my opinion. Garfield attempts to translate the original texts, but it seems like he's only restating them in equally confusing A little confusing, in my opinion. Garfield attempts to translate the original texts, but it seems like he's only restating them in equally confusing terms. ...more
Siderits does a much better job, in my opinion, than Jay Garfield explaining the Buddhist texts. However, it's still pretty intricate and difficult toSiderits does a much better job, in my opinion, than Jay Garfield explaining the Buddhist texts. However, it's still pretty intricate and difficult to understand. For what it's designed, it does an okay job, but I still feel as though there ought to be a better introductory Buddhist text....more
Wordy. Very wordy. What seems like it could have been said in half the pages was drawn out. The author(s) are awesome, but tangent-driven, though I reWordy. Very wordy. What seems like it could have been said in half the pages was drawn out. The author(s) are awesome, but tangent-driven, though I recommend the book for anyone looking to learn about the details of the traditional Islamic faith....more
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