Daniel Quinn – Beyond Civilization

Beyond Civilization is a book that refreshes your world view. But you have to be open to it.

After reading My Ishmael a while ago, I felt refreshed. I had a renewed view on the world. Quinn, in a nice and easy to understand way, learned me a whole lot about this world. Beyond Civilization does this job even better. It goes beyond My Ishmael. Not by story, but in clear, direct messages does Quinn speak about how to change this world. He describes the tribal way of making a living (note the difference between making a living, and just living) and gives very good arguments on why this way of making a living is better, no, not better, but more rewarding, than the current “civilized” way of living. It all sounds very interesting, but is at first very unclear. OK, so that sounds like a nice way to live, but how to live that way. Quinn explains though in very easy words where you can start. And also that this isn't for everyone. It will only work if you're open for it. If you're open for change, and the tribal way of making a living. It's funny how some books can change your view on the world. This one does. And since Quinn has done it before, I'm very eager to read more books by Quinn. Before reading this book, I was fed up with this world. After reading this book, I at least know that there is hope. To really get all the “lessons” in this book, I think I will need to read it once more after leaving it to sink in for a while. But I definitely feel that there are so many things in this book that can easily be used in “life”. What a wonderful book.
April 24, 2006 - tags: books