Rating: 
Summary: The book was well written.
Review: This book was one that was hard to understand the main idea. Our English Teacher had us read it and do a book report on it and just about the whole class was having trouble understanding the point of veiw. Most teens say this is an excellent book due to the fact that it does have to do with politics and the fact that not all people are always treated equally, because of race and color.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic book.
Review: Animal farm is a fictional versian of communist Russia with astonishingly close models of the key players of the time, from Marx to stalin. Orwell has created a masterpiece of human nature and rebellion in a suprizingly short book, and has become a classic. Animal Farm is one of the most influential books I have read, and strongly recomend it to anyone!
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not definitive
Review: George Orwell set out to write a stark criticism of Stalinist Russia. He accomplished that much in a startlingly effective way. But what has he really told us? What actually made Stalinist Russia turn out the way it did? Was the evil in the "animals" that meted out their torture to the rank-and-file, or was it in the IDEAS that spawned these animals? Orwell does not explore these ideas at all, so he never gets to the root of what happened on the farm, or in Soviet Russia, for that matter. He compellingly shows us that tyranny and murder are horrible, but we KNOW that already. He never comes close to the real issue here: what ALLOWED these horrible things to take place, and how do we prevent it from taking place on other "farms"? Orwell, unfortunately, offers his readers no insight there.
Orwell even seems to imply that, had Snowball (or Trotsky) been able to wrest power away from Napoleon (or Stalin), that everything would have been better. He fails to recognize that giving ANYONE that kind of power over individuals necessarily ends in disaster. Any ideology that demands the self immolation of the individual for the "good" of the collective leads to the destruction of the individual, and, eventually even to the destruction of the collective (i.e., all individuals). Unfortunately, with Orwell's book as our only guidance, we are left scratching our heads when looking for the answer to "why", and left helpless against any POTENTIAL dictator who tells us he has the REAL answers.
Read this book for its sensory value, then pick up THE OMINOUS PARALLELS by Leonard Peikoff (non-fiction) for a credible response to the questions Orwell leaves, not only unanswered, but unasked.
Rating:
Summary: One of My Favorite Books
Review: I have read this book at least 3 times a year since I was in the fourth grade. I'm almost 25 now, and every time I read it I get something different out of it. I have been involved in classroom discussions about this book, and I see the ties that Orwell made to the politics of the day. However, I think that this book is best read as a general commentary on human nature, and how power, especially absolute power, can corrupt those with the best of intentions. I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I have through the years. -- Kim
Rating:
Summary: Fairy Tale? I think not!!!!!!
Review: I thought 'Animal Farm' was a wonderful book, but then again I am a freshman in high school. When I read it first in about 4th grade, sure it was a great story but then I couldn't comprehend the malignant truth behind it. And there was still the gory stuff that I could not understand. If you ask me, this is not a Fairy Tale but a Scary tale, and I suggest that it not be read to any unsuspecting child under the age of 12.
Rating:
Summary: misguided youth led by misguided.
Review: Hmm, I don't think too much people actually interpret as I do, but then I might be wrong. But alot of people who have reviewed it have praised the book for bagging communism/socialism. I believe that it is more of a thought expanding book, Orwell encourages us to think openly because we can. He shows the possibilitys that a revolution can be 'abused'(admittidly it usually is eh) but Orwell wouldn't saying the conditions under the farmer is right either ?
He also comments on how thought can rule people, and by reading some of the other reviews, especially the youngen's like zach and cluegen(or whatever), they are using this book to ensure them they are right and there is no other superior ideas to theirs. The other thing is the clever analogies he uses, people who keep saying 'this book is dumb, theres no such thing as a talking pig' etc. should look up the meaning of 'fiction' and realise what a novel is.
all in all, realise what political bias will always be held in representations and keep the struggle. great book.
oh yeah, it may surprise alot of ye amerikans, but orwell considered himself socialist go and check it..
Rating:
Summary: A Story That Tells Us What All Those Politicians Really Are
Review: Animal Farm is a provocative satiric fable which I thoroughly enjoyed. It is concisely written and vividly describes the struggle of the animals on Animal Farm. It certainly lives up to its reputation of being one of the best-selling novels of the twentieth century. On Manor Farm in England, the miserable animals decided that they had enough from the cruelty of Farmer Jones. The ideals of the Old Major, an elderly boar on the brink of death, filled the animals with noble inspirations. The animals envisioned a paradise where liberty, equality and fraternity would prevail. Working together under the guidance of the "intelligent" pigs, they drove away the humans. Animal Farm was established. All seemed well enough as the animals fought bravely at the Battle of Cowshed against Jones's counter-attack, as they toiled on in the fields and as they sang "The Beasts of England" with gusto. However, the scenic atmosphere was soon overshadowed by a veil of uncertainty and fear. The pigs, led by Napoleon, became more and more pig-headed. As these pigs milled down the fundamentals of Animalism - the 7 Commandments - life for the rest of the animals grew steadily harsher. Disagreement was never voiced and those who tried were exterminated. Others were cooed into dormancy by the brainwashing of Squealer the pig. The Old Major's principles faded into distance and when Napoleon & Co. committed the ultimate crime the animals woke up only to find the catastrophe irreversible.
Beneath the surface of the light hearted "fairy tale" lies an allegorical political satire. Orwell is highly critical of the Stalinist regime and its version of Socialism. He reveals the evils and despair of Stalinist Russia at a time (mid-1940's) when very little was know of the regime. Orwell explains the true ideals of communism and denounces Stalin for his betrayal of the Russian people, who had placed their faith and future in his hands. We are warned by Orwell the perils we dive into if we allow a tyrant to rule and our minds to drown in propaganda. He spells out the dangers that can strike our very own society.
The characters in the novel are "morphed" famous or notorious political figures of the historical period. Napoleon, the pig leader, portrays the role of Stalin - the name gives rise to excellent connotations. Other personalities you will meet include the Czar, Churchill, Roosevelt, Frederick III and even Goebbels with his long snout. Other animals are made to represent a collective group of the population.
Orwell rewrites Russian history in a "reader friendly" manner. He expresses his opinion with precision and clarity. It is a perfectly readable novel which at the same time delivers a strong message. Animal Farm is an intelligent book that provides insight into politics for beginners . Plenty of reading between the lines is required to capture the inner essence. It is a must for anyone who considers himself educated.
Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC
Review: I read this last year, and again this year as a school assignment and I love it. Orwell is a truly gifted writer who can create through satire, a complex and fascinating look at society and the world in general. This is a must read for everyone!
Rating: 
Summary: Hated it!!
Review: For all of you out there that see this book as a classic, I'm sorry, but it was the most incoherent gibberish I have ever read in my life. I was forced to read it for an english class, and I found it nearly impossible to finish. It drags on and I don't think it sets a good example. It deters people from standing up for their rights, making it seem like revolution always ends in failure.
Rating:
Summary: Don't read it
Review: Perhaps the worst book I have ever layed eyes on. I can't stand this kind of unrealistic plot, (whose ever heard of pigs giving lectures about politics). If I weren't having to read this for English 10 I could be digging into a true classic and my holidays would be much more enjoyable.
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