Atlas Shrugged

Rating:
Summary: Ms. Rand's master piece
Review: I am a great fan of Ms. RAND. I have so far read the "We the living", "Fountainhead" and lastly " Atlas shrugged" which I believe is the greatest one of all. If you have read the Fountainhead and had immense pleasure, you have to read the Atlas Shrugged as well.

Rating:
Summary: A great love story that says "what if...?"
Review: Well, I am one of those people who have to say... "This book changed my life!" I actually came across it by accident a few years after some friends had told me about it. Most of them would go on and on about how great it was and how I needed to read it. Usually, I am turned off by that kind of talk. If something is that popular, then I am 9 times out of 10 going to be bored to death with it. I listened very nicely as they went on and on and a few months later forgot all about it.

So, fast forward a few years and one night I see a tattered, much read copy of Atlas Shrugged sitting on a shelf looking lonely. I pick it up and after reading the first three pages... I knew it was going to change my life. I read it practically non-stop over the next few weeks... staying up all night and neglecting all sorts of things so I could just "get through the next chapter".

You see, I had always believed that a person could be selfish and not hurt anyone around them. In fact, I had always thought in a secret part of my mind that it was possible to behave in a self-interested way and actually help those around you. I had carried this around with me for years always wondering what was wrong with me until I read Atlas Shrugged and learned that I was not so alone in my beliefs and perhaps I was not entirely wrong.

It opened my mind to so many new ideas and helped my to see all of my old ideas and beliefs more clearly.

I guess the most common criticism is that the book is not realistic. I would agree, but I don't think it was intended to be realistic. I think it was written as a model... an example of "what if" under many different scenarios. Ayn Rand had a very well thought out philosophy. She wanted to deliver her beliefs to the masses. So, she made a choice... Either pump out another boring college style philosophy book in the manner of Kant of Marx god forbid some long-winded economist... and sell a few dozen copies to fill the libraries and dollar book bins, or write a passionate love story and try to weave objectivism throughout it pages. It is melodramatic and sometimes downright ridiculous, but it is that way for a reason... to make a point. It is written in that extreme manner to set an example. Black versus white. She is trying to make it easy to understand by filtering everything down to a fundamental level.

Does she leave out certain things...? Yes. Psychology, for one. But she never claims to have been a psychologist.

She leaves out other things too, but this book was not meant to be an accurate description of the world that exists around us. It is meant to teach a lesson of what would happen if... If the motor of the world were stopped. It is meant to remind us that we take many things in our lives for granted... technology, advances in medicine and nutrition. We live lives that are free and easy compared to our relatives only a century ago, yet how many of us stop and thank Henry Ford, or Dale Carnegie, or J.P. Morgan. Few. We instead find all of the faults that they had and write books and demonize them for having too much money or too much power or whatever. I ask the reader... What if there were no cars, or no oil or no banking system...? What would our lives be like today? What if there were no Bill Gates? You would not be reading these words. The internet, computers... would not exist exactly as they do today. Love them or hate them, the "prime movers" of the world have done much good and we live easier lives because they keep the motor running. Always running.

Rating:
Summary: A magnificent portrait
Review: I picked up this book almost randomly in an airport book shop, and all I can say is that it was, perhaps, the best random action I've ever taken. This book is, quite simply, a magnificent achievement. As a novel, it has a fascinating, intricate plot, a wonderful cast of characters and an easily readable, enjoyable style. Beyond that, which would be enough to make me recommend the book most highly, there is the philosophy of Ayn Rand. Her characters, as she is the first to admit, are unreal. They are crafted to represent not humans, but human ideals. The heroes are of such heroic proportions and character that they are superhuman. They represent man, not as he is, but as he should strive to be. Similarly, the villains display every vice and every extreme of mindless fanaticism that men should deplore. They are like the bad guys in a "Dirty Harry" movie, who are so bad that even the most liberal pacifist is just dying to see them get blown up before the first act is finished. This is a book to be read not just for its entertainment value (although it easily could be). It should be read for the thoughts it provokes, particularly in our current social and political climate. There are aspects of the philosophy that I, and probably others, would disagree with. There are aspects of all philosophies that even adherants disagree with, but one has to think about them before deciding, and that is the point. Read the book, enjoy it, and think about it. It will be time well spent.

Rating:
Summary: You can't will your life
Review: This is a monster of a book. On the one hand probably the best novel of ideas ever written, on the other hand strangely onesided with protagonists so wooden that you can hear them crack after a few pages. As a devoted father I wondered why there are never (struggling) parents or children in Rand's books - the heroes came to life in spontaneous self-creation?! In Rand's universe there are only grown-ups without any ties, living solipsistic existences on the brink to autisms (it's quite fascinating how often the author depicts her heroes as "cold"). Her's is a world of black and white: There are only a few entrepreneurial Titans, favourably big industrialsts (white) versus the rest of mankind (black), millions of underlings, struggling because they arn't great and egoistic enough. Quite a bleak existence. It's rather revealing how badly the protagonists (an the author?) come to terms with feelings (and sex, which can be experienced only in some form of subjugation and violence). Consequently Rand vastly overestimates the intellect and underestimates the importance of emotions. But apart from these human/aristic failures the whole notion of objectivism may be based on an error. One of their core believes is that you can base ethic on the fact of life. As one interpreter of Rand's formulated: "You should be moral because you have choosen to live." This is an unbelievable mistake: No one has ever choosen to live! You can't will your birth. The only thing you can choose is NOT to live (or to accept the existence which has been given to you - by your parents, your genes, the cosm, God - as you please). Rand's followers believe that the crucial difference between the (rich) heroes and the (poor) rest of mankand is based in their character. Even if you tend to agree there is one problem: you have been born with your character and you will never be able to alter it fundamentally. To say it with a simple equation: personality = charakter + experiences. The character (your body, your abilities, your good looks, even the amount of your vitality and thus resulting ambitions were determined - and limited - at the very moment of yout birth) is the factor you are unable to alter. You can desire to become a basketball hero as much as you want, if your frame stops within 5 feet you will never succeed. Rand despises compassion and altruism (and, I'm afraid, democracy). Logically you can only stick with this view if you are convinced that you can will your *fate*. But you can't - you can only learn to cope with the limits you were born with. The psychological concept that you are borne as a blank sheet has long been falsified.

Rating:
Summary: It's just so warm and fuzzy...
Review: Alright. So it's long. Really long. It's redundant. It's ridiculously unrealistic and black-and-white. And sometimes you wonder why Rand's "heroes," who, for the most part, are devoid of personality altogether, are considered "perfect" while the average "good guy" Joes (i.e. Cheryl, Eddie) in the novel who AREN'T "looters" have the worst endings...

Still, it changed the way I think about things, and it definitely forced me to get my priorities straight.

While there is a lot wrong with the novel, and some parts are just plain hokey, this is a great critique of socialism. People really shouldn't be ashamed to work in their own self-interest. Living right in the heart of the "Bible Belt" for the last few years of my life, I've been called selfish time and time again by different people, particularly family members who shall remain nameless, who believe the life I lead is fueled by Satan's fire and brimstone. As an economics minor in college, this book gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.

Seriously, though, this is definitely worth a read. It may change the way you look at self-sacrifice and morality. And, even better, some parts (i.e. "Project X") may even entertain you. ;)

Rating:
Summary: Atlas Shrugged
Review: As an affirmed Capitalist, I loved the premise. The meesage is so simple and clear; do your best, work hard, do not look to others to bail you out and don't give in. The United States was built upon these principals and they have been lost during the last several decades. Integrity, morals and work ethic have long been dismissed by the general population. Everyone wants a hand out with out so much as lifting a finger to get it. Ayn Rand saw this long before others. Amazing.

I am not sure however, how Sir Thomas More may have felt about the Utopian society set up by Ms. Rand's heros, but I will give her the benifit of the doubt and state that he would have been pleased.

A must read for all those in the power Capitals of the world. Should be required reading for all those entering any goverment service, i.e, those making decisions on how to spend the tax money earned by the movers and shakers of the world.

Grab it!

Rating:
Summary: A Glimpse of the Future
Review: "Atlas Shrugged" is one of the best examples of what our future might bring. This book is about the struggles of fightinng for your ideals, fighting for what is just, and fighting for what the world needs. Tha main characters in this book allhave one thing in common: they believe this world is corrupt and evil, so they leave it behind. The main woman, Dagny, doesn't know where they're going, but is frustrated because she is losing her battle against the greedy business tycoons who are scrambling to "save" the economy. Dagny needs the assistance of these couragous men and women, but when they disappear, she begins to be crushed. Not only is she pushed away, but she is almost "taken care of" because of her quest for the truth. There is only one man who can save her:John Galt. The whole world knows the name, but none know who he is. Dagny, however, knows he is the key to all this, and she will go to the end of the world and back to find his secret.

Rating:
Summary: OF THE BOOKS WHO MADE ME WHO I AM...
Review: I first read Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead" in my early 20's. Rand's writing focused on Objectivism and was very influential on the way I thought for many years. I credit her methodology with teaching me how to think critically, starting from a premise and constructing a thorough analysis. All of her books were very meaningful to me, both her fiction and her non-fiction. I read "Atlas Shrugged" when I first went to Alaska in 1983 and shared it with a friend I met there. He in turn gave it to his father who went out and bought five copies. And one of those copies he gave to Al Gore back in the mid eighties! "Anthem" is another astounding book and when I found that one of my favorite pieces of music of many years originated from this book, "2112" by Rush, I was even more astounded. As I have learned more over the years and broadened my knowledge base, I must admit that I have fallen away from Ayn's views, but I still carry a large respect for what she was able to accomplish and still highly recommend her books.

Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable, unputdownable book, the best I have read!
Review: I read it for the first time in 1975, and since then during the last 25 years, I have re-read the book, partly or fully a number of times, everytime I find I am equally excited as I was the first time.

1975, not many editions were available in India, I hired the book from a circulating library, it cost me Rs.0.50 per day, I read the book in flat 4 days continuously, but couldnt resist reading yet again all over, thus I spent nearly Rs.5/- on rental of the book costing 95 cents= Rs.6.50 those days. I went back to the library chap and offered to buy the dilapidated book for Rs.10! No way he says..".I bought the book at Rs.5/- and have already earned more than rs.200/- till date, and I am going to earn similar amount before I dispose it off!" I finally mangaged to locate the book after 1 year and bought it.

This is one of the greatest books I have ever read, and it is a very inspiring, very disturbing book, its a must read for all the thinking individuals.

One thing about Ayn Rand whose all books I have read; you may agree or not agree, you may hate her or love her, She surely makes you THINK!, and thats no mean achievement. Once you have read Ayn Rand, you will never forget the book or the author...wish same could be said of various authors who hit bestseller lists, make millions and vanish without a trace!

Rating:
Summary: BALANCE
Review: Before you read more reviews use your head.

There's no one answer to anything be it personal philosophy, different forms of government etc, at list not anytime soon. Unfortunately, reality is complicated. What there could really exist, however, is a BALANCE. You cannot live in the world, and be happy without having a philosophy of life. The only two remaining logical forms of political governments today are those of Sochalists and Capitalists.

Ayn Rand (following modern capitalistic philosophers such as Adam Smith), realized that there's a gap in the philosophy of the most fundamental layer of existence of every person: the individual. To convey this thought she had to describe the utopia of the individualist, otherwise her message would be vague.

For those of you wanting to have a complete philosophy of life, this book (or the Fountainhead w/ 400 less pages) is definitely a must read, the two most important messages of it are:

1. To reach happiness, everyone needs to learn "critical thinking" as an individual. Hence, if you're shocked by some of the material in this book (which you will be) then agree that there's a lot to be learnt by everyone. Hence, the bad news: you can't expect to stop learning after reading this one book or any other book

2. Unless if there's an individual there's no existence. Hence, each individual needs to first have a philosophy of their own, i.e. he needs to ask himself, what is his purpose in life?

The only flaws I see in Rand's Philosophy, are first of underestimating communincation, and second and more important as I mentioned earlier, that of absolute Capitalism:

On the former that it's true that having a solid ego will keep you happy most of the times, but it could very well make you narrow minded: look at Internet for example and how it is revolutionizing the world, the choice is yours to embrace/disregard the means of communication, including other people (for the same ends that Rand partially if not completely explains).

Also, when it comes to Rand's political views remember that capitalism is only an economic system and although you can push it as a morality, but there's a limit to that since the same great minds of Ms. Rand have to be educated in societies in the first place, so that means you need schools, subsidizations etc. Rembember to keep US politicians out of the book, she wouldn't have approved them! Historically, our US form of capitalism, has often translated to the power of guns and death of many great individuals in US/overseas.

This book is very complete when it comes to your individual philosophy but when it comes to politics Rand is a utopian in the capitalistic sens. To get a good view of the sochalistic side of life, and why we all need to learn about each other, I recommend reading Maxim Gorky's (a communist) masterpiece: Mother. And then think of the balance: is money the only language people understand or could we be wrong, in that case should we wait till all we individuals are destroyed or what!