Rating: 
Summary: The Worst Book I Have Ever Read
Review: Ayn Rand has very little to say, yet she says it over and over again in this 1000-plus page book. Rand's standing as many women's favorite author is in itself a good reason for going through the ordeal. Not
giving up halfway will pre-empt sterile assertions that you don't know what you're talking about. Rand's appeal is based on the false perception that she is extremely subtle and intelligent. A prolific woman
writer making pound-and-a-half novels loaded with polysyllabic words is wont to endear herself to a female readership with intellectual aspirations. The reader with a live brain will understand Atlas within
thirty pages. The underpinnings of Rand's philosophy there established, no surprise will come out of the other 97 percent of the work. Throughout the novel, the conclusion of each episode is as inevitable as
taxes in April. This machine-like progression of a brute writer taking you through the motions of laying out the same trivial arguments, which end each glares you in the face thirty pages ahead of completion
(perhaps in one of the speeches Rand is fond of peppering her novels with), will cost you more neurons than a bachelor party in Nevada. Rand is basically a fascist. Her universe is peopled with blue-eyed
muscled men (and one women) of iron will (the minority) and fat losers with shifty eyes (the majority). Although she doesn't explicitly speak in terms of different races to describe the struggle of her Aryan
heroes against the Jews and the other degenerates, she is not so correct as to avoid a passage in which she refers to American Indians, in a parallel between two trades meant to be jestful, as "these other
savages who sold the island of Manhattan for a handful of beads". Atlas is a sterile anti-communist manifesto, where the industrial geniuses of the world choose to go on strike to protest against social
government. It is also a venomous diatribe against the weak. No handicapped signs with Rand - let her turn her bile into action and all those who can't help themselves will be gassed. The novel will appeal
to those who, raised in rural settings through the popular mass media truths of Time Magazine, have gone to college and therefore consider themselves educated. For many, Atlas is the pinnacle of their adult
intellectual life. They worship the book because while it looks complex, they can actually understand it. Animal Farm is probably their second-favorite book. Propaganda, as usual, appeals to those who are
unable or unwilling to think for themselves. Rand's is very bad propaganda at that, as it doesn't even contain the trace of a counter-argument without which the purportedly objective mind will withhold its
judgment. If you're a smart capitalist, you will hate Rand for doing such a poor work of expressing your views. Incidentally, nazi-Rand is also fascinated by rape - her women, both in Atlas and in the
Fountainhead, routinely get violented, and they like it. To her credit, Rand does a better job in the Fountainhead, which is less of a political manifesto and presents an endearing hero in the character of the
stubborn Roarke. Rand also writes a nice line when Wynand relates his life and one can tell he doesn't speak about it much by his words which "seemed seldom used, as coins which hadn't passed through
many hands" (from memory). If you find a woman whose favorite author is Rand, don't try to change her mind. You know she's easy to manipulate: take advantage, then run.
Rating: 
Summary: To paraphrase Yogi Berra: "Fountainhead all over again."
Review: Ayn Rand ran away from Communism then spent the rest of her live trying to convince the world that she did the right thing. In 1957 some Westerners still weren't sure. Most of the world is now. While "Atlas Shrugged" has more complex plot than "The Fountainhead" the characters are similar in dimension, the dialog as unrealistic, and the human relationships as mechanical (I doubt if rape and love get confused much these days). After over 40 years of hearing Ayn Rand's name but knowing virtually nothing about her, I now have read, at age 66, both these books in the past month (whew!) and I doubt if I'll visit them again. readers who wish to become familiar with a point of view (but who can also think for themselves, are urged to tackle one or both. "The Fountainhead" would be a good start. If still intrigued, then try "Atlas Shrugged." I can't ever recall skipping pages in a book, but admit that John Galt's three hour speech baffle! d me. After the first few pages, there wasn't much more to say. But he said it anyway. Shades of Fidel Castro et al. Dogmatism sounds the same, whether from the Left or the Right!
Rating: 
Summary: This Book is like a Bible to Me
Review: Ayn Rand's masterpiece has helped me shape my beliefs and commitments to my life and to my work. I have read it many times and each time I discover new dimensions and learnings. In addition, it is a wonderfully romantic and exciting story and is impossible to put down. "I swear--by my life and my love of it--that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine", John Galt, "Atlas Shrugged"
Rating:
Summary: The book that changes lives...
Review: Buy it -- Read it -- Live it!! Perhaps, as with me, this book will change your life
Rating:
Summary: Exhilirating and thought provoking
Review: Even if you disagree with Rand's ideas, Atlas Shrugged stands tall as a work of fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: More than worth plowing thru somewhat intimidating length.
Review: Forget the intense philosophical speeches. Hang in there through the first few chapters. You will discover riveting ideas about how our society works, and intriguing characters building the mystery, "Who Is John Galt?" You may not agree with everything Rand has to say (you can safely skip over the long philosophical speeches and still have one heck of a read), but you cannot deny that many of her concepts ring true. As a high school student, this novel opened my mind and my eyes, and it is still fresh today. Entertaining and a classic.
Rating:
Summary: Objectivism 101
Review: How do you take such heady subjects as Objectivism, rational thought and the virtues of selfishness, to an audience accustomed to the white washed, banal pablum of 1950's America? By simplification and reiteration. Atlas Shrugged is long, has some very simple, one dimensional characters, and repeats its themes often. But, it had to. It is a subtle introduction of a decidedly humanistic, secular philosophy to a puritanical, non-secular society . As many have said before, you will love it or hate it. If you subscribe to strict religious dogma and dismiss your mind as impotent and unable to "know" anything, then you will hate it. If Plato's parable of the cave is the world you live in, you will hate it. If you despise Bill Gates for his Billions; if you believe the government owes you better health care (or anything for that matter, other than a rebate on your taxes), then you will hate it. If you are excited by success (anyone's), believe in your mind and its abilities to think rationally, and laugh at new age channelers, witch doctors, snake handlers, or any other mystic who believes "A" is "non-A", then the chances are you will love it. Read it and find out who you are.
Rating:
Summary: Who is John Galt?
Review: I as junior in highschool was asked to read this book. At first I was deeply dissapointed to have to read a 1000 page book, but once I started reading it, I could not stop. I personally do not agree with objectivism, but Ayn Rand, brings you into Dagny's life. You find yourself w/ relating to the characters and their struggles, and dreams . I have also read Anthem, by Ayn Rand, and find Atlas Shrugged her best work, by far. Atlas Shrugged is now a beloved book by me, and the rest of my english class. John Galt will live forever!
Rating:
Summary: True Excellence!
Review: I find that this book is the most refreshing illustration of courage and intellect that I have yet read. It says what needed to be said. If you believe that humans should not be enslaved by incompetent brutes or mooching mystics, you should consider reading about this sruggle towards the right to live as a human.
It is my favorite book!
Rating:
Summary: One of THE most powerful books I have ever read.
Review: I first read Atlas Shrugged as a teenager, and it had a profound and lasting impact on my life and thought. Rand's epic resonates deeply for me, and unlike many, I actually thought John Galt's famous speech was very finely written. I have revisited her ideas many times, and I firmly believe that even if you ultimately disagree with Ayn Rand's conclusions, the book will wake you up, and make you think, and stay with you for years to come. In a life crammed with triviality, that is the best recommendation one can give any work.
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