The Story of B

by Daniel Quinn

Book Overview

From the author of the critically acclaimed, award-winning bestseller Ishmael and its sequel, My Ishmael, comes a powerful novel with one of the most profound spiritual testaments of our time "A compelling 'humantale' that will unglue, stun, shock, and rearrange everything you've learned and assume about Western civilization and our future."--Paul Hawken, author of The Ecology of Commerce Father Jared Osborne has received an extraordinary assignment...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553379011
• ISBN13: 9780553379013
• Release Date: December 1997
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 354 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.2" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Better than "Ishmael"? You bet!

Thus far I have read three of Quinn's books - first "Ishmael," which I've read twice, then "My Ishmael," and now "The Story of B," which I can definitely say is my favorite of the three. However, I would advise anyone new to Quinn to start with "Ishmael," as it lays the foundation for his ideas. "The Story of B" takes the ideas from "Ishmael" further and looks at them in more depth. "My Ishmael," is one that you can either read or not. While it isn't a bad book, it's pretty much just a new way of packaging everything Quinn had already said in "Ishmael."Those who are already familiar with Quinn will know that his basic message is that our culture (NOT to be confused with the entire human race) is slowly and blindly destroying itself. He describes our culture as a "monster that is literally devouring the world - and will end by devouring itself if it isn't stopped" (pg. 88). The story he uses to frame his arguments in this book is as follows: Father Jared Osborne is a Catholic priest sent to Europe by his superiors in order to investigate a man known to his followers as B. This mysterious B has been traveling throughout Germany, spreading ideas that have the Church concerned he may be the Antichrist. Osborne is instructed to break into B's group of followers and determine whether he is or isn't as dangerous as he seems.I found it interesting that this book was written from the perspective of a Catholic priest, secure in his faith (initially, at least), whereas "Ishmael" was narrated by a disillusioned everyday citizen who already felt he had been "lied to" by "Mother Culture." This has the effect of presenting a direct challenge to doubting readers, whereas "Ishmael" more or less preaches to the choir (i.e. those who already suspect that something isn't quite right with the way we're living). While I'm afraid "The Story of B" may still, to some degree, preach to the choir, I do believe it is more powerful and convincing than "Ishmael" was (though I loved "Ishmael" as well)."The Story of B" also takes great steps in making itself palatable to a broader audience. It combines "Ishmael"-style dialogue-learning with a series of lectures. These lectures are presented in a separate section at the end of the book, but should be read as the story progresses, whenever the reader is signalled to do so. The protagonist in "The Story of B" may also be more sympathetic for readers than the protagonist of "Ishmael." Osborne, unlike the narrator of "Ishmael," is clearly an educated and intellectual man. Many readers of "Ishmael" were turned off by the narrator's apparent dimness (though this was just a device Quinn used in his attempt to make his ideas more accessible). While Osborne still has his dim moments, "The Story of B" does put more responsiblity on the reader to analyze what they're reading and draw their own conclusions.One thing I particularly like about Quinn's style of writing here is that he presents his ideas in "meal-sized" chunks. Each chapter is

Modern Prophet

The fates conspired for me to read a book by Daniel Quinn. In the space of one week, three friends and a respected teacher independently recommended that I read something by him. They all said it would change my life. And it has.The first book by Quinn that I read was Ishmael, which was fitting, as it was the first one he wrote. In this book, he presents his vision of the future of humanity. It is a dismal one, but not a doomed one. In the form of a didactic conversation between a silver-back gorilla and a middle-aged man, Quinn postulates that at a point in history roughly 10,000 years ago, the main branch of Homo sapiens struck out from the rest of the tree of life into dangerous territory. Ishmael, the gorilla, has a philosophy of teaching that revolves around the fact that knowledge means nothing unless it comes from within the student. Quinn shares that outlook, and through his use of parables and other literary teaching devices, draws out his message from within his audience. Quinn teaches us what we already know but have not placed in context.I next read Quinn's second book, The Story of B, which does not follow from the end of Ishmael but instead expands on it in a different direction. The teacher in this book is not a gorilla, examining the human species from outside the flow of its history, but instead an itinerant preacher called "B," who is roaming central Europe. Quinn's style also varies, in that here he presents his message for the most part in the form of speeches, without as much concern for what the reader understands. This lecture is interspersed with moments of reflection on behalf of Jared, a Laurentian priest sent to infiltrate B's movement to determine if he is the anti-Christ. Quinn expands his message in this book in order to embrace a wider audience.Quinn's most recent novel is My Ishmael, in which Quinn again uses the relationship between the gorilla Ishmael and a student to illustrate his points. His main purpose in this book, though, is to show his readers how to effectively change the society in which we live, so that humanity does not run out of time on the course it chose for itself 10,000 years ago. Quinn has Ishmael teach Julie, a twelve year-old girl, how to teach others what she has learned, and how to "save the world."From my experience, The Story of B is Quinn's most exciting and intellectually engaging tale, and also the one that shows the most hope for the future. However, I would definitely suggest reading them in order, as his philosophy in each book builds on the prior ones, to some degree. But, as Ishmael teaches his students--each telling is different and independent of the others. Since Quinn cannot make you understand things that aren't already within you, cannot answer questions that you aren't ready to ask, you must enter each of his books keeping in mind the personal ad that begins both Ishmael and My Ishamel:TEACHER SEEKS PUPIL. Must have a serious desire to save the world.

Astonishing and revolutionary

I've read them all. I've done a lot to get them all, since I'm from Germany and it's not that easy to get American books here. Since Quinn is, in my opinion, the most important author right now and here, I can only recommend this book to everyone (even if he/she's a Christian). Compared to Quinn's other work I think this is his best one. The issues he explains are the most interesting, the story is better than before and the speeches contain nearly everything that is need to be said. It's great written and wonderful mind-changing. You'll never be the same again. I'm not. If you look for hope for this world, read it. Maybe it's good to read 'Ishmael' first, but in the end it doesn't mind. Just read it.

A life changing expierence

The Story of B is the single most powerful book that I have ever read. As a novel it holds onto the readers imagination and interest like the best of suspense writings. As a social statement, it's message breaths life into what might seem an uninviting and pathetic future for our planet, and humankind. More than recomend this book, I challange everyone to read it, and TRY to come out without a whole new view of the world. A highly recomended and equally powerful book, though in a completly different voice is My Ishmael. How lucky the world is to have a thinker like Daniel Quinn.

If you read Ishmael you must read this!

This is the followup to Ishmael and if you've read Ishmael, you must continue with this. This is the story of a Laurentain priest who is assigned to investigate a man known only as B, who is spreading the word. The Laurentains have a special mandate: to identify and suppress the Antichrist. The story is fine but is secondary to the message of saving the world. What was revealed in Ishmael is brought into blinding clarity here. We're in big trouble folks. We may not realize it but I can guarantee after reading this you too will realize things must change regarding population growth or we will extinct ourselves. The increasing rates of population doubling over the past 10,000 years stunned me. Please please read this and pass it on to others. This is the most important novel you will read.