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Summary: A lifetime acquaintance....
Review: I first read this book when I was 23 yrs of age, and I'm 41 now. It made a huge impact on how I've lived my life, and like other reviewers, I revisit this book each year or two to gain inspiration, and confidence that I'm doing okay. How scarey is it that so many of the looters and moochers attitudes and spiels are now being reported on in society. How comforting is it that I KNOW that I am capable of existing without any help from any person. How comfortable is it to be serene in life, knowing that I take full responsibility for my every action and word ( and in doing so have had incredible rewards for that), and give nothing unearned to anyone, ESPECIALLY to those who say the world owes them a living! or a benefit, or a stipend of some description. I work in a large organisation, and watch in fascination the basics of Atlas Shrugged's story taking place around me every day which serves to entrench my adoration of this book even further. I give thanks that I met this book, and that I have had it's solace and benefits to accompany me through the last 18 years. I am about to order my third copy, as I've worn out the last two. I recommend this book to everyone, and, whilst the monologues are sometimes hard to concentrate on, you should take them slowly, and not be too impatient to move on. There are lessons that everyone can use here, and, even if you don't get them the first time, you will increase your appreciation and understanding as you revisit with these characters again & again. Do yourself a huge favour, and take this book and it's message on board, at the very least, learn to depend on no man but yourself, and learn to take pride that no matter how humble your efforts may be, if they are not ransomed at someone else's expense, then you are truly a winner.
Rating: 
Summary: Is Ayn Rand evil?
Review: The thing I kept wondering in the early parts of this very long but very enjoyable bit of propaganda was, does Ayn Rand really believe this stuff or is she consciously and fairly skillfully creating mind-wash? I was impressed by the subtle recasting of history and the twisting of Western philosophy to prop up a belief system that would carry many future greedheads to new heights of social irresponsibility. After finally finishing the book I have concluded that only someone who knew the truth could have pulled off propaganda this slick. However, I really did find this book very entertaining so Viva La New Corporate World Order.
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Summary: Must read!
Review: This book should be required reading for every student in the USA, and even the world. Communism and Socialism will be summarily and properly scrapped by any and all who read this book!
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Summary: Hard book to remain noncommital about!
Review: What is it about this book that makes the people want to praise it to the skies or condemn it...whoever did read this book (at least all the 50 odd people I know who read it) never remained non-commital about it. Even if you are not seeking out Ayn Rand's objectivist philosophy, this book makes you think. Think a lot. And in my opinion, any book that does that, is definitely worth a shot. Personally, I found it one of the best books I ever read. It would be in my personal top 20 !
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Summary: So, Where's A Comparable Opposing Viewpoint ?
Review: I thought this was a terrific book, and I agree with about 97 percent of the philosophy it adduces. To those who've blasted it, I ask: Can you recommend for us a comparable work that presents, in story form or with real-world examples, the functional advantages of some system other than laissez-faire capitalism? Is there such a book describing whatever prosperity and abundance result from communism? And I don't mean some manifesto that preaches how things should be. Let's see some narratives featuring realistic examples, with examinations of the characters' motives and principles, and illustrations of the productive achievement propagated by whatever alternative way of life is proposed. This book is an anthem to capitalism. What other system is preferable, and why? How come no other novel answers that question, in the same manner as Atlas champions capitalism?
Rating:
Summary: Awesome! I buy this book for a lot of friends
Review: This book is HUGE! I don't mean just in the number of pages it has. It's scope is totally engrossing. I got a lot more out of this book than just a good read.
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Summary: Not pony loaf!!!
Review: great read. I give it my highest rating. this book is most definately pony loaf!!!
Rating:
Summary: Profound and Frightening
Review: 'Atlas Shrugged' is not profound in its length, but the ideas presented are. For those who found 11 September, 2001 almost unbelievable, 'Atlas Shrugged' will leave you breathless, and not too convinced that the motor of the world can't be stopped.
There are humans who exist that have the capabilities to stop it...this novel is'nt too far-fetched, and THAT is frightening.
This is a gem amoung much lesser efforts in the literary world. I'm now a huge fan of Rand. Treat yourself to the genius of Ayn Rand's world.
Rating:
Summary: Clearly Inspiring
Review: Just take a look at how many reviews, heated arguments, "changed lives" this book as inspired. You have to admit: There's something in this book that makes people into zealots one way or another. A brief comment on the Objectivist Philosophy: Ayn Rand wasn't right about every niggling detail but she struck soundly the broad strokes of a philosophy that demands honesty to yourself and reality. The book in a word: Awesome. It's a mountain of a book. Galt's speech is incredibly long -- just try to take something out of it, though. The plot is full of twists and turns and telling details. This book is unstoppable. Keep in mind that this is also fiction. This did not really happen. (but it could.) Ayn Rand was a Romantic Realist. Her bad guys sink to depths to the same extent that her heroes soar to even greater heights. Why? This is fiction, folks. People can be that bad or that good but they rarely are. But why read a book about your neighbors or regular people on the street? This is the way fiction is supposed to be. This book is simply incredible. Read it right away.
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Summary: A masterpiece! Quite simply the greatest novel ever written.
Review: This is Rand's magnum opus, and it is, quite simply, the greatest novel ever written. Its scope and grandiloquence are utterly breathtaking. The story details of a man of singular genius who said that he would stop the motor of the world...and did. As the world of modern man becomes mired in altruistic bromides, the men of ability become more and more burdened with the sustenance of other men. What would happen if those men of the mind chose not to participate in their own destruction? What would happen if those of ability and competence were to remove their sanction from the moral code that drives looters and freeloaders? _Atlas_Shrugged_ details the outcome of just those scenarios. It shows the reader--in unmistakable elegance and typical Randian eloquence--how the world would collapse if the victims who run it suddenly removed their sanction. If you are new to Ayn Rand, you may want to read _Fountainhead_ first. It offers a similarly driven protagonist, but its scope is much more digestable as an introduction. In this work, Rand's masterpiece, the reader will make a real investment in time (as the book is close to 1200 pages), but the investment just may change your life (as it has for countless others since its publication in 1957). I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is the only work that I have recommended as a "must-read" piece of fiction. Despite its size, I set aside some time every two years or so to re-read this milestone in human thought. Do yourself the same favor...you'll never be able to thank the person enough who first referred you!
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