Rating: 
Summary: Dime-store philosophy disguised as a dime-store novel
Review: Atlas Shrugged has a great plot premise. In the hands of a decent author, it could be a great book. Instead, characters with no ambiguity speak in philosophical lectures about Rand's objectivism. While one can make a good case for objectivism in running a business, such as a railroad, Rand tries to apply it to art, family--and even love! She criticizes those who do not take an extremist stance, but that's exactly the problem with the book. It's an all-or-nothing theory in a world that's far more complex than her theories allow.
Rating: 
Summary: Good content, but Rand a philosopher, not a writer
Review: I guess Rand did an okay enough job in writing Atlas Shrugged, but her editor oughta be horsewhipped. I am in rabid agreement with Rand's philosophies, but nearly choked on the Christian symbolism laced throughout. During the radio speech I almost had to hang it up. But I finished the book and was glad I did. An enlightening read for anyone considering putting it in their shopping cart. Not a page turner, in my opinion, but well worth your while
Rating: 
Summary: Brisk, well-plotted, and insightful...
Review: "Atlas Shrugged" is Rand's masterpiece achievement. It features brisk pace (despite its large size), well-crafted plot, piercing insights into modern political and philosophical problems, plus (as a bonus) slightly dubious character motivation. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and agreed with most of the things it had to say, but frankly, John Galt put me off. (John Galt is almost the sole reason I use four rather than five stars). He is a totally one-sided character, and he has become such a myth by the end that the mere mention of his name as an actual character seems bald and brazen. (My favorite character, admittedly, was Ragnar Danneskjold). The villains were portrayed well, especially as character prototypes (I am sure Ms.Rand had a lot of experience with them). But nevermind that, its well worth the read and the thorough round of contemplation that it invariably brings with it. A fine work.
Rating: 
Summary: Arent detractors cute when threatened by reason!
Review: I enjoyed these reviews. For me to say how good the book is would just be more of the same. I particularly enjoyed some of the squirming done by some of the detractors. Ive read it and saw no connection to nazi-ism, social darwinism or republican politics (republicans for goodness sake!). I think the heroes are all tall and elegant because that's the sort of person Ayn Rand was attracted too, rather than an argument for eugenics.The "its childish" argument is fun too, always a good stance when one cannot argue the points in the book is to pretend to be older and wiser, shaking your head with the heaviness of pseudo wisdom. Her books weren't aimed at any particular group when she wrote them. what a peculiar notion. I even found it an enjoyable read, the points were hammered home again and again, but that didn't mean it wasn't good to read. I would recommend people read "the fountainhead" before this though, as it is a pretty heavy book! and should be read closely and thoroughly if you're going to get anything out of it. I would like more business people to understand it, too many of them are the type of dishonest rip off merchants who give the rest a bad name! If you found the apparently uncaring stance a little disturbing, its not because Ayn Rand loved to bomb orphanages! That some people seem to think that's what the book is like seems bizarre. The whole issue of benevolence and the philosophy of reason is handled well in "unrugged individualism" by David Kelley. I don't think it should be compulsory reading, that would be a collectivist idea! Read it with an open mind, and only read it when you've decided your ready for it, its no light entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: WHOA, HOLD UP!
Review: Rand's book is certainly not "lacking plot" (!!!) or a "scientific proof of lassez-faire capitalism." In a broad way, it hints at what a proof would look like, but any intelligent reader knows that much work must still be done. Atlas is an extremely fast-paced action story... and a novel of ideas which should be intriguing to anyone who cares about life or wonders about anything. Don't turn your head and cry, "No, I don't want to listen." I can't recommend this book highly enough. I can't conceive of how it could NOT be a learning and enriching experience for ALL readers. It stands next to "The Man Without Qualities" and "The Brothers Karamazov" as a masterpiece of philosophical literature (a difficult genre)... Umberto Eco and Albert Camus are little tiddly! -wink players in philosophical literature compared to Rand. Plus, she's more fun
Rating: 
Summary: Predictable, slow, and extremely one-sided.
Review: The ideas presented in the book are interesting, but overall the story is severely lacking. The characters are ridiculously one-dimensional: they are either perfect in every way, or they are sniveling cowards. Plot is a low priority in this book, and what little is there is very predictible. Rand needed to calm down before writing this book; she constantly interjects her opinions into the story via the LONG speeches of some of the "good guys", the most notable time being the 60 page sermon near the end of the book. This is the first book I voluntarily quit reading before the end. If you like reading philisophical discourses and agree with the principles of objectivism, you may find the book thought provoking and enjoyable. Otherwise, you'll feel browbeaten and very, very bored.
Rating:
Summary: An engrossing story with great characterization. Terrific.
Review: Atlas Shrugged is one of the few truly great pieces of literature in the genre of Science Fiction. It's a great book. The story is fascinating, the world is believable (Rand's portrayal might even be called prophetic), and the characters are interesting and well-developed. The only down side to the book is that it runs a bit long. If the book were published today, it would probably be broken into a trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent; must be taken in context.
Review: As probably one of the few Ayn Rand fans who is NOT an objectivist, I believe I have a unique perspective. Her writing is excellent, but her style is a little too reminiscent of that of her hero Victor Hugo. In other words, although I'm sure it's all in there for a reason, the book itself probably could have been cut down more than a little, making it a more succinct read. Also like Hugo, her "revolutionary" character makes a speech of 10+ pages (compare Enjolras from _Les Miserables_ to Galt, or even Roarke in _The Fountainhead_). This similarity does not detract from the work itself, but is quite noticable and may distract the reader. The characters are, I believe, the most vivid she ever created. Dagny, particularly, is probably one of the most complex and interesting literary creations I have come across. Her personality, actions, thoughts--all are documented, and worthy of study. What I do not understand, however, is why in this book, _The Fountainhead_, AND _We the Living_ , her main female character has relations with all of the "good" main male characters. Now, Rand was into man-worship; however, this is more than a little silly. I'm not saying it couldn't or shouldn't have happened; it is just an odd pattern. It is the relations between the characters in _Atlas Shrugged_, and the relationship of the characters with themselves, I think, that makes it such an enjoyable novel. Rand delves into the thoughts of the protaganists beautifully, and exposes their inner workings in a unique way. As a whole, the book is enjoyable. However, it must be remembered that Rand was writing for a particular time and place; she had left a rapidly deteriorating Russia (as per her semi-autobiographical description in _We the Living_) and so had very strong feelings against communism and the like. So of course Rand is all for laissez-faire capitalism, and considers the intrusion of government into economics a complete nightmare. This book, while a literary masterpiece, w! as also an outlet for Rand's political views; and it is advisable that one takes this book with a grain or two of salt. Myself being a middle-of-the-road person, I had little problem digesting and enjoying this book while understanding why the politics were the way they were. If one is open-minded enough to listen to Rand's set of views, even if one does not agree with her, _Atlas Shrugged_ is certainly worth the effort.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, dear.
Review: I wanted so badly to love this book. Really, I did. I adore Ayn Rand's ideas, and I'm more than convinced of the moral rectitude of her mission, but--WHY, OH WHY, did it have to be so BADLY WRITTEN? I've read almost all of these reviews--the ones that proclaim it a new Truth and Light, and the ones that say it's inspired by Satan himself--and my primary issue is that the prose is tortured and unimaginative. By the middle of the book, I was so tired of people saying things "coldly" or "mockingly" I was ready to throw the book across the room. Yes, yes, yes, and Jim Taggarts lines are always "screamed" or "whined." We got the picture by page 40, Ms. Rand. She needed a very good editor, and she undermined her own philosophy by claiming to value only the best of everything and then submitting a work of "art" that is in every way artistically inferior. Too bad. Incidentally, I adored "South Park's" recent take on this book. And agreed.
Rating:
Summary: This book re-defines the word epic.
Review: If I had to sum this book up in one word it would be epic. The story from start to finish is mind blowing. Ayn Rand has a way of creating an alternate world of her own and then drawing you into it with her. Although it does have it's short comings (For instance the caracters are either one way or the other, no grey area. And the grey area is where about 95 percent of the worlds population live. And although she has many valid arguments, she isn't right about everything.) they pale in comparison to the overall scope of this book. The best book i've ever read.
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