Rating: 
Summary: A struggle to finish!!!
Review: I have just read many of the reviews prior to this one, and I have to say I agree wholeheartedly with all those who say this entire book goes absolutely nowhere! I put the book down and couldn't sum up enough enthusiasm to pick it up again. I had reached about three quarters of the way through when it dawned on me that this was just a filler section in the story, and an unnecessary one at that. Not only that but the development of the main characters is starting to irritate me. The characters are becoming stale, Galt is downright boring and I'm beginning to actually dislike Rand.
Rating: 
Summary: amazing... here's a favorite quote (no spoilers)
Review: Marvelous book. The other reviews will tell you the same, so here's a quote that I think is representative of the style and message of the novel. The speaker is Henry Rearden, owner and operator of the best steel mills in the country."I've never despised luxury," he said, "yet I've always despised those who enjoyed it. I looked at what they called their pleasures and it seemed so miserably senseless to me -- after what I felt at the mills. I used to watch steel being poured, tons of liquid steel running as I wanted it to, where I wanted it. And then I'd go to a banquet and I'd see people who sat trembling in awe before their own gold dishes and lace tablecloths, as if their dining room were the master and they were just objects serving it, objects created by their diamond shirt studs and necklaces, not the other way around. Then I'd run to the nearest slag heap I could find -- and they'd say that I didn't know how to enjoy life, because I cared for nothing but business. "Dagny, look at those people. They're supposed to be the playboys of life, the amusement-seekers and luxury-lovers. They sit there, waiting for this place to give them meaning, not the other way around. But they're always shown to us as the enjoyers of material pleasures -- and then we're taught that enjoyment of material pleasures is evil. Enjoyment? Are they enjoying it? Isn't there some sort of perversion in what we're taught, some error that's viscious and very important?"
Rating:
Summary: Assured!
Review: I am assured, by the reviews, that this is a book worthy of my attention. The great books and authors have always spark controversy, and there is pleanty to go around on this cite. I have read several of Mrs. Rand's other books (both fiction and non) and have found all of them, in the least, intresting. Respect must be given to an author such as Ayn Rand, for even if one does care for her fiction or philosophy, at least you know what you do not like, and sometimes that is half of the battle. So thanks to all those who have taken the time to write their thoughts on this book.
Rating:
Summary: Book a great read........... BUT
Review: Atlas, I admit, is a awsome read. The story line is intresting and well written and Rand questions some fundamental values of all our lives. My suggestion, reader, is to take the book for what it is- at best a intresting read. Also read it in about five minute incraments or you may actually belive what Rand preaches! I wont try and sway you with tweleve hundred page books or long discussions in smoked filled rooms. I will however ask all of you that read this to have the courage and the intelligence to look deep inside and ask yourself not "Who is John Gault" but "Why am I here". If your awnser is "To make money for me", my friend, theres something wrong with that. NEVER forget the beauty, power and grace of life, giving and loving.
Rating: 
Summary: little respect for the reader
Review: If you are going to read an Ayn Rand novel, read the Fountainhead. The Fountainhead has the same content without the repetitious disdain for the reader. Nonetheless, I think everybody should read this book twice. Read it as a teenager to get the hormonal rush that only Objectivism's tunnel-vision can give you. Then read it after you've lived a little in the "Real World" to see how easy it is to use Objectivism to enslave your fellow man while spouting Rand-ese word for word.
Rating:
Summary: 100 pages of dribble cruelly stretched into 1000 pages.
Review: While Ayn does bring up some good points about indiviual responsibility for ones future, her overall theme of total subjugation to industrialism would spell the end to all that is native, primitive and lovely about the earth we live on. The story is shallow and predictable and along with her insular philosophy, could easily have been contained in a tenth of the volume it occupies.
Rating:
Summary: Simply a good story
Review: Even if you don't agree with the philosophy, you have to admit that it's an epic story.
Rating:
Summary: A very poor book
Review: Do yourself a favor and read this book, if only to be able to say, "I read it, and it's garbage." If I were an individualist libertarian, I would be too embarrassed to have this work on my side.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best (possibly the best) books I have ever read.
Review: This book is an incredible read! I rarely read books more than once, but I've read this one three times. This goes far toward demonstrating it's continued appeal. If you've read this book, read it again. If you haven't read it it's well worth the time. For new readers, don't read the introduction until after you read the book. If you want a taste of these ideals without reading such a large volume, read Anthem also by Ayn Rand. The rest of the reviews speak volumes.
Rating:
Summary: Dear Reader of my summary:
Review: You would do yourself wise not to heed the reviews of individuals who give "Atlas Shrugged" one star, but do not proceed to provide an adequate explanation for their unsavory review. For example, the typical person who submits a poor review of the novel mainly defames the readers who have enjoyed it, not the actual philosophies that have been embedded into the ficiticious form. For those people who have asserted that readers who have enjoyed "Atlas Shrugged" are victim to low IQ's-- it is actually you who are victim to blatant stupiditity. Please attack the premises of the book, not the intellect of the reader. Such a constructive argument would be of benefit to both yourself and to your readers (note: not all reviews are mired in ignorance-- some are actually well-reasoned criticisms of objectivism). Now moving on to the intelligent reader: "Atlas Shrugged" deserves its labeling as a classic of modern fiction. The fundamentals of objectivist philosophy are presented to the reader in the form of ficition, which is certainly easier to digest than a tedious manifesto on moral law (e.g. Kant, Mill, etc.). While the story itself can sometimes be laborious, and Rand's prose is not as beautiful as Faulkner's or Marquez's (among other literary giants, of which Rand is not); the reflections upon human greatness are spectacular. That, to me, is what counts, and that is why I have given "Atlas Shrugged" a terrific rating. In parting, I will offer one last idea: "Atlas Shrugged" is a book meant for those readers and intellectuals who are on some level bothered by societal pressure to succumb to humility and self-sacrifice. It depicts man as a hero, not as the tragic victim of his own incompentence. If these views in any way accord with your own, then read and cherish "Atlas Shrugged." If, however, you believe that man is something other than great... well, if you're not going to at least construct an intelligible argument against greatness, then you should have your tongue cut out by garden sheers, and your hands smashed by a mallet. Your ignorance does not deserve tools that would better suit intelligence. David
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