Atlas Shrugged

Rating:
Summary: Great read - flawed philosophy
Review: I read this book for the first time when I was 20. It was a great read - I loved it and subscribed to everything in it. I thought - finally, I have found somebody who thinks like I do. I went on to major in Economics and Philosophy in part due to the influence of this book.

However, as I have grown older (I am 27) I have come to see some flaws in Rand's philosophy. For instance, where do children fit in? There are no kids in Rand's book, and I dare say she would have been a scary mother. Also, since when is efficiency the number one goal? It's a good goal, but there are higher goals in life. Rand is also not high on religion, which is not surprising, as she thinks she can handle everything herself.

So while I appreciate the story - it is a great ride - I have to limit my review to 3 stars because of the potentially damaging philosophy Rand is espousing. While her philosophy is useful in many situations, if carried out 100% it would lead to a hateful, spiteful world with little compassion and love. So if you haven't read her book, do read it, but do so with a grain of salt.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but with some reservations
Review: I enjoyed most of this book. I am pretty sympathetic to the message of the book, but I can understand why some people would be turned off. The book is set in a futuristic United States that is being slowly taken over by collectivism and by folks more concerned with "fairness" than excellence. The book proceeds with an ever growing amount of protectionism being implemented on various industries, with the best companies and the best men unfairly hurt in the process. The protagonist of the story fights back by convincing all of the high achieving men of the country to quit working in the system and runaway to a restrictive enclave in the mountains. The point was to show the world what would happen if the creative and business energy provided by these men were to be suddenly removed, as if on a strike (Indeed, the working title of this book was "The Strike" Rand changed it on the advice of her husband). It is an interesting premise, indeed think of how our history would have been altered in the last 20 years with out Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Michael Dell and other such mavens).

The entire premise does require some suspension of belief. How many multi billionaires would quit their day job, sell off all of their worldly possessions in order to follow a kid out into the mountains and live in a commune? However, the story is a means to the end, which is ultimately to get Rand's philosophy out.

I found most of the story quite enjoyable, however it got very tedious towards the end. Rand descends into long spiels about the evils of collectivism and how the individual is the ultimate power. I think most readers will get that after the first 5 times she says it. The other 40 are overkill. On this score, I agree with a previous poster who said she was in dire need of an editor. The character construction led a lot to be desired as well. None of the "good guys" had any detrimental attributes. They were all smart, capable, dashing and good looking. None of the "bad guys" had any redeeming characteristics. They were all conniving, lazy, indecisive and frightened. But, based on the premise that the story is a means to a larger philosophical end, this shouldn't be surprising.

Overall, I liked the book. I do feel that "The Fountainhead" was a better piece of work, but this one is still worth reading if you don't mind the time investment (it is over 1000 pages). I am fortunate that my current situation gives me spare time to invest in reading (I am currently deployed in the army). If I were back in my civilian job in the army, I am not sure this is where I would spend my reading time.




Rating:
Summary: This book is about being and trying your best
Review: This book is about living your life to the best of your ability and respecting that effort in others. A college professor once told my class that "everything you do has your name on it; reflects your values, your self respect - if you do a shoddy job that's how you value yourself and how others will value you. Do everything as best you can."

That's what this book is about: values, respect, worth, work, effort, doing your best and therefore making a contribution. And what is against is having no values, no respect for yourself or others, making no effort - i.e., becoming a parasite living off the efforts and work of others.

This is the philosophy behind the story that includes mystery, suspense - everything for a good novel.

It is not written for the MTV/CNN generation that needs everything in 30 second sound-bytes; but certainly should be read by them.

Rating:
Summary: As our need for alternative energy sources...
Review: becomes increasingly desperate, let us not forget the books of Ayn Rand. Especially where home heating fuel is in short supply.

Rating:
Summary: well........
Review: I believe in making moral judgements, I dont mind being viewed as a prejudiced individual, ( I am), I support capitalism in all its glory, I despise collectivism, I believe that each individual is who he has chosen to be, yet even I can tell that Objectivism is primarily a philosophy for the psychologically weak and irresponsible.
Surprising that I am not an Objectivist, just look at how many times the word "I" was used in the preceding sentence. Unbelievable.
And by the way, Ayn Rand did not create Objectivism, nor was she the first to put the philosophy into practice; Leopald and Loeb were acting on these principles quite a while before Rand ever jumped on board. Give me a break. She just gave it a name.
As for the book, well, the writing is sloppy, and the woman was in desperate need of editing. No truthful followers will admit this, however. Everyone at the ARI seems to be completely blind to any fault that can be brought against her, even if it only concerns her writing. She was not the greatest writer in the world. Please.
The book is great for shallow intellectuals. Not a whole lot of depth really. Perhaps best read by the very young and/or the very stupid. I hope I am not struck down for saying this, (lackeys are often quite tough, you know), but the truth must be said.
The characters are just not real. They come across as paper-board cutouts whose sole existence is to spout endlessly on Ayn Rand's philosophy, even when you have just read these same ideas only a page before. No one in the book reacts as real humans. Really I would say that this is the main flaw of Atlas Shrugged, and of Rand's fiction in general- No Humanity. Its just not believable. It all boils down to Ego, which according to Objectivism, is a wonderful thing; but its about like reading Joyce's Ulysses. People created to act as monkey-puppets for the author. I honestly dont care about the author. I want to read a good book.
Try listening to Beethoven's symphonies and then read this novel. Which individual best expressed the heroic possibilities of Man? The struggle for individualism? The triumph over all that stands in the way of the thinking, creative individual? Why give so much credit to Ayn Rand? Beethoven expressed, long before, the epic conquest, spiritually and emotionally, of the human race.
Listen to Beethoven instead. Heck, listen to Tom Jones instead of this.