Rating: 
Summary: Clever propaganda, terribly dated and shallow
Review: What a waste of time this book was. 1100 pages to convey a message that is "do what's best for yourself, and to hell with everyone else." Rand's foolish excuse for philosophy is exceeded only by the clumsiness of her prose, which features such winning phrases as "When asked what he would want to do he answered at once, 'Whatever is right.'" This book is a product of 50s McCarthyism and anti-Communist fervor, and uses a remarkably dull method of repeatedly constructing straw men to have them torn down by Rand's superman. This is indulgent candy for the mind, and utterly lacking in both literary and intellectual merit.
Rating: 
Summary: an unintentionally hilarious romp
Review: I have read all of Ayn Rand's fiction, and all of it has the same plot: one flawless, free-thinking person's struggle to thrive in a collective society. This is repeated in "Atlas Shrugged," but with added elements of mystery.
Here's the story in a nutshell:Every industrialist who's productive is slowly disappearing without explanation. This leads the government to declare all sorts of laws tying people to their jobs. It chronicles what happens when useful people go on strike. Thrown into it we have numerous subplots, stock characters, and the query "Who is John Galt?" is repeated ad nauseum.
So why does this book make me laugh aloud every time I read it? Because Rand takes this "philosophy" entirely too seriously. It is funny to slog through 10 pages of a "worthless" playboy extolling the virtues of money AT A DINNER PARTY. Who does this?(Word to the wise: skip Galt's 80-page preachathon radio announcement. It's under the heading "This is John Galt Speaking.") It's great that Rand has so little respect for her reader's intellect that she creates transparently archetypal characters and stuffs their mouths full of unbelievably preachy and sanctimonious dialogue.
There are certain good points to her way of thinking. I agree that people should have jobs based on their competence, not their "need" for a job, and I too love and appreciate individuality. Most businesses already follow this pattern of hiring based on ability. When was the last time you were hired to do a job because you "needed" one? Chances are you were hired because you were qualified and you wanted to work. How radical is that?
So why read Rand? To feel a sense of accomplishment for having read something so mediocre and repetitive, and to have reasons to laugh aloud.
Rating: 
Summary: More than just brain candy
Review: There are two books everyone should be required to read in their lifetime: "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged." Both are eye-openers and there's no way you can experience these two books and not have them change your life. While "Fountainhead" is a much easier read and shorter, "Atlas" is by far the better book. The thing that most amazes me about "Atlas" is that I read it when I was twenty and it changed my life, then I re-read it at thirty and it did the same thing again (in a different way). But the sad part is that life in America, or anywhere for that matter, hasn't changed very much since Rand put pen to paper and created this masterpiece. This is not a quick easy read, but do yourself a favor and try to get through this book. It's more than just temporary brain candy--it's food for thought for the rest of your life. Also recommended: Steinbecks "East of Eden," and McCrae's "Bark of the Dogwood."
Rating:
Summary: NOT an novel
Review: In case no one has noticed, Ayn Rand didn't write this book to tell a beautiful story, to develop likeable, well-rounded characters, or to create an accurate depiction of America. She wrote this book as a vehicle for her political, economic, and social philosophies. I'll admit, the first hundred pages are unbearably boring...but around the 250th page, you WILL be sucked in. There's a reason this book is a best seller. There's a reason it's the most influential novel of all time. Because it's amazing, and it will change your life, if you let it.
Rating: 
Summary: Great story, questionable philosophy
Review: Although I am not a fan of Ayn Rand or objectivism, I had to read this book out of curiosity. I must admit that I really enjoyed it. Though I disagree with Rand's opinion that man is the be-all and end-all and that logic and reason are all that is needed to save the world, I do agree with her capitalistic philosophy and thoughts on individual responsibility. The hostility to religion in John Galt's 3 hour radio address towards the end of the book was a disappointment. Some of the speeches in the book were a bit long and dry, but overall I liked it and would recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Honest & Refreshing
Review: I thought Atlas was clever, honest, daring and philosophically stimulating. It was refreshing to feel an empathetic camaraderie with Rand's characters, even though they are extremely long-winded, prone to pedantic diatribes, and...well...less than subtle in many ways. I found the truth she presents about human nature undeniable. If more people would read this book and REALLY think about it (especially if it makes them uncomfortable), instead of simply reacting at the gut level, I venture to guess it could invoke a powerful, personal change.
Rating:
Summary: Very powerful book
Review: It's amazing that this great book was written way back in 1957. I guess it's true that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I too am getting tired of hearing "The Rich Get Richer and The Poor Get Poorer" and this people make it sound like there is something wrong with creating wealth. Atlas Shrugged makes a strong case towards not penalizing the rich, you know, the people who create the opportunities in this country. It makes a strong case towards capitalism. Unfortunately, the same people who give books like this one 1 star reviews and books by those self serving "Nixonites" 5 star reviews are also the ones who spend all of their e xtra money on lottery tickets or in AC or Las Vegas looking for a big win. Now that is called wealth without a prayer. Atlas shrugged is a good book and allof the people in our company, and I mean, top level people wholeheartily recommend it. So do I.
Rating:
Summary: A tremendously helpful book
Review: Having been brought up in a democrat family and having lived in a relatively poor community, I found the thoughts of the late Ayn Rand in Atlas Shrugged pretty repulsive. I used to think that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I also used to think that something was evil about Capitalism. I used to believe that money was the root of all evil and other such nonsense. Atlas Shrugged is an excellent book for those who like me, were willing to be corrected and realize that money is not the root of all evil. It's the lack of money that is the root of all evil. Then you have to go out and steal it and end up in jail.
The rich get richer because they have a different plan. They think differently and act differently. The poor are poor and stay poor because they think poor. I have met many successful people over the years and many if not most indicate that they have read Atlas Shrugged and highly recommend it. So do I. Great book Ayn Rahn.
Rating:
Summary: A good book for wealth seekers
Review: "You will see all of the elements of our secrets. The conclusion will be yours to draw. We can help you learn it, but not to accept it." "This sight, the knowledge, and the acceptance, must be yours." Ayn Rand from Atlas Shrugged And I couldn't agree more with Ayn Rand
Rating:
Summary: A tremendous waste of paper
Review: The book is interesting as a political statement, but it reads like a real estate contract. That it is over 1000 pages long made it pure torture to read. I started this book hoping to learn something, but the only thing I got from it is the pride one feels when finishing an arduous task that few others could complete. If Ayn Rand were still alive I would send her some punctuaion marks. The sentences are so interminably long that I thought she was trying to conserve periods. Interrogators will sometimes play acid rock music over and over to browbeat their subjects into submission, this book is a written version of that.
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