Atlas Shrugged

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Summary: One of my favorite books
Review: Atlas Shrugged is probably the best book I have ever read, and I read a lot of good books. I agree with others who suggest that you read her other books first. Start off with We the Living,which is a pretty short book, move on to Fountainhead,and if you're ready for more continue w/ Atlas. A friend had recommended it to me at the beginning of last year, and I have read it at least 30 times since. I have also passed it on to many of my firends. (Forced it on them is a closer account of it actually) :) Luckily they all agreed with me that Rand's insight into philosophy and our culture is very startling and true to some extent. Although I don't agree with everything she wrote, her ideals got me thinking and greatly affected me. The book will keep you hooked. I know there are some pretty long monologues in there, but don't give up on the book. It's really worth it. The chracters she wrtites about are ones to look up to, and one day day I hope I'll be as strong and courageous as Dagny Taggart (the heroine of the novel.) I strongly recommend this book to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Atlas Shrugged
Review: I have been reading this book for over five months. In the mean-time, I have read at least ten other, much more interesting and compelling books. The only reason I keep reading is because my roommate says, "This is the best book he has ever read". And, I have put so much time into it that I am determined to finish it. I would not recommend it to anyone, except to people who want to say that they have read the most droning novel ever written.

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Summary: So disappointing
Review: I think that an edited version would be preferable. Reading these lengthy passages (that say little) is torture. The main characters all dissatisfied me in regards to motivation, personal and family history, and realism. The main idea of this work is significant but also greatly over-executed!

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Summary: A thought inducing experience set in a two-dimensional world
Review: It is generally acknowledged that Atlas Shrugged is more of an application of her Objectivism in a story format than a traditonal novel. This is a good thing, since as a novel, this book falls short. The characters are very two-dimensional and the plot was badly structured. I'm not opposed to a lengthy book, but Atlas Shrugged is too long, longer than it needed to be. The dialogue, the plot twists and the ideas are all repeated over and over again, beating the reader over the head with a message that, in essence, is quite simple. Even the characters are repetive, it quickly becomes difficult to discern differences between any of the "good guys". Midas Mulligan, Ellis Wyatt, Ken Danagger, Francisco D'Anacondia, Hank Rearden and even John Galt all seem so similar, one wonders why Rand even bothered coming up with different names for what is essentially the same character. The "bad guys" are even less inspired: Kip Chalmers, Wesley Mouch, Tinky Holloway, Jim Taggart, Dr. Ferris... after the first ten chapters, one is inclined not even to bother learning any of their names.

But the redeeming quality of this book is the excellent job it does of making the reader think. I've not yet read a book that brought me to a level of introspection as deep as this one did. And while I don't agree with some of Rand's views, most of the ideas presented seemed very true, or atleast, upon examination, lead to a realization of truths. And even though Ayn Rand's philosophical rants become repetetious, every diatribe, whether delivered by Galt, D'Anacondia or Haley, leaves the reader with some new insight and forces him or her to examine all the ramifications of Objectivism. This book is definitely Anti-socialist, and with communism failing in Russia since its publication, it seems almost prophetic in that regard. However, I would not call it anti-religious as it seems Rand is not opposed to religion in general but rather the mysticism some of its followers resort to. We've all seen the yahoos Rand describes on the street corners, testifying that the state of the world is God's own retribution for our insolence, and they have very little to do with the actual teachings of Christ.

All in all, Atlas Shrugged is a very interesting book, that makes the reader think and think deeply, and which is sometimes dull only in its execution.

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Summary: A life-changing book
Review: This book generated a deep change in my life and in the mayority of the people I've given the book to read as well.

From my personal observation it is also the best-known book among high-level executives in the business world (I travel a lot and get to meet many Fortune 1000 Chief Executive Officers). According to the Library of Congress this is the second most influential book in the United States after the bible. It is very inspirational (note that it is not a religious book) and will make you want to get up every morning and do the best with your life.

Some people misinterpret this book, and others become fanatical about it. Before listening to them, read it yourself and make up your own mind. Based on book sales alone (it's been in the best-selling list for over 35 years straight now) there's a good chance that even if you don't agree with the ideas in it, that you will enjoy it.

By the way, I recommend you read first her short book "Anthem", then read the amazing "The Fountainhead", and finally move to the epic "Atlas Shrugged".

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Summary: One of the finest in the field of literature
Review: This is definitely not a book for the weak at heart.

Ms. Rand has a very peculiar philosophy. I was left kinda empty after reading Fountainhead so I turned to this book upon an extremely strong recommendation from my friend. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.

The story is quite solid. It has a good viable plot that is logical and believable. Although a good part of the book has characters talking to each other about ideas, it's all good and the vast majority of the talk adds a little intrigue into the book. It's nothing that'll wretch your heart and make you cry or have you tense with excitement, but it'll keep you hooked.

Now, I don't necessarily agree with all of the ideas that she presents in "Atlas Shrugged." However, there are some core truths in the book that I believe all individuals should know, such as the bogusness of relativism. After my initial reading, I read it several more times, focusing more on the philosophical aspect rather than story itself. Although I don't agree with the "virtue of selfishness," and her avid disagreement to altruism, I must say that it reaffirmed my beliefs in an absolute world.

I can safely say that I will probably re-read this book until the pages fall apart and this is one for me to hand down to my kids.

Rating:
Summary: Recommended?
Review: I was told by a close friend that this was her favorite book, so I was looking forward to reading it. When I came across it there was an insert saying "order the hard cover edition". Apparently people who have read this book want to read it again. I don't. I will admit that there were times when I really wanted to keep reading because I was waiting for something to happen. Eventually something did, then it got boring again. Ayn Rand has writing skills I could only wish to have, although it doesn't save the content. As I neared the end, determined to finish, I didn't think that John Galt's rant was ever going to end.

Rating:
Summary: Atlas Shrugged
Review: Atlas Shrugged is a beautiful achievement of a novel. Rand draws the reader in from page one with well-crafted (if not completely realistic) dialogue, strong (if not entirely believable) characters, and a perfectly interwoven web of events, catastrophies, and suprises that are far, far above anything you'd find in most novels. Atlas Shrugged is an inspiring and gorgeous experience, a view of men as they should be, and of the possibilities that we, as humans, are presented with at birth. Perhaps its larger than life scope is unrealistic, but this book is a format for a thought-provoking and eye-opening philosophy: it is not touted by anyone as a story about average people doing average things. You may not agree with everything you find in Atlas Shrugged, but you don't have to live it to appreciate it. Take what you can and move on. A book I would recommend to anyone.

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Summary: The most important piece of fiction ever written
Review: This is the most incredible book that I, or anyone that I know, has ever read. It proved to me that my way of thinking was not wrong, my value system not deviant, and my philosophy not an abberant production of an 'antisocial' mind. Miss Rand illuminates deep, powerful questions that face individuals perpetually. The plot is woven in a sublime, intricate fashion. When I read this work I forgot that I was looking at pages as clear, blue thought filled my mind and bid me to question myself and my actions.

Rating:
Summary: Makes you think
Review: I have to agree with a most recent review that "Atlas Shrugged" will make you think because it is a book about ideas. The core of John Galt's philosophy is that "I will never live for another person or ask another person to live for me." Now, what kind of person would say that? And who would NOT say that? This book makes a mystery story out of asking that question and giving you an answer.

If you strongly dislike this philosophy, you most likely will hate and think poorly of the book. But why would you hate a book about living your own life and about not making others live for you? Isn't that how you live? Read this story of ideas and think about it.