Atlas Shrugged

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It's a hit!

Atlas Shrugged is a classic book for many reasons. Ayn Rand uses a fascinating story line to expound on Objectivism. While it's at times diffi... (show more)

Atlas Shrugged is a classic book for many reasons. Ayn Rand uses a fascinating story line to expound on Objectivism. While it's at times difficult to keep track of the host of characters, there is enough dialog with each to see that Rand has used them to define various world views.

As others have noted, the story is riveting. The parallels to today's world of big government control and the warning of it's eventual destruction of key businesses, blind lack of true reporting in the news and government censorship through "fairness doctrines" are right out of today's headlines.

While there are many elements for which I would strongly disagree with Rand, the fundamental balance between freedom vs. government that Rand espouses could not be more salient.
(note - not a book for young readers. This is VERY long and has portions that would be inappropriate.)

Who isJohn Galt? that question is at the crossroads of a truly free society and fascism. (show less)

 

 

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No, it's a flop!

Before I delve into a review stating how this book seemed more like checking a box rather then experiencing a great work let me make a few quick po... (show more)

Before I delve into a review stating how this book seemed more like checking a box rather then experiencing a great work let me make a few quick points.

Ayn is not pronounced as Ann, but rather, rhymes with Mine. Rand, more obviously, rhymes with band.

I gave this book 2.5/5 stars but considered giving it 3 for a bit but also could have easily given it a 1.

Who is John Galt?

This book is basically a huge propaganda piece for Rand's philosophy of 'Objectivism': stated more simply as, 'the purpose of life is pursuit of happiness and one's own self interest', or, put differently, 'success is often vilified as being achieved by ruthlessness, when it actually is a product of rationality and application. But Ayn hammers the point home page after page after page (for 11,069 pages) until you end up getting sick of the message and continuing the book only to see what happens to your favorite characters.

The characters don't range; there are only 3 types of characters: The (super)heroes - amazing men (and a woman) who are incredibly skilled and talented (from corporate dominance to engineering to philosphy to flying planes and skillfully brandishing firearms). The bad guys - greedy, cowardly, pig-like socialists. And the little people - the average man and woman working (or not working) for the man and getting screwed by the bad guys.

Since the characters are all so extreme the book lacks any real drama. You are bored to death reading about the bad guys and in awe of the heroes, while the subject matter feels like it's being forced down your throat.

If there is anything good to take away from the novel it's the conveyance of woman's equality and the open sexual attitudes in the book. The protagonist, Dagny Taggart is one hell of a female: Driven, intelligent, direct (and leggy) she stands her ground with the most powerful men in the world, both good and bad, She helps portray sexuality not as a base instinct but a passionate and spiritual act with a loved one whom you admire. In the end she, and the other protagonists, while unbelievable in their acts and abilities, made this novel finishable.

PS - There are a few quotes in this book that I will use for the rest of my life. If this book could be cut in half I would have given it more stars. (show less)

 

 

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  Atlas Shrugged was a great book, and I agree it should be considered a modern classic. It serves as a vehicle for Ayn Rand to expound on her philosophy of Objectivism, so none of the 50+ characters is particularily fleshed out. They serve as symbols of her ideas rather than people you care for deeply. Yet the story IS utterly fascinating! Although it was written 50 years ago, there are so many parallels to today's world...government control and eventual destruction of key businesses, news... (show more)

  Atlas Shrugged was a great book, and I agree it should be considered a modern classic. It serves as a vehicle for Ayn Rand to expound on her philosophy of Objectivism, so none of the 50+ characters is particularily fleshed out. They serve as symbols of her ideas rather than people you care for deeply. Yet the story IS utterly fascinating! Although it was written 50 years ago, there are so many parallels to today's world...government control and eventual destruction of key businesses, newspapers that choose not to report the news, government fairness regulations that punish the producers of the world, corrupt politicians who trade and contol power. The country is a dystropia and it serves as a warning! The book is a little long and repetitive in places, but will hold your interest. Who isJohn Galt?
  Ayn Rand was born and raised in Russia where her family lost everything during the revolution. This colors all her opinions about government control, socialism, and communism. (show less)

   

   

  by Mary Lou Baker Holland on Sep 23, 2009 at 03:24AM

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  The book has several philosophical views of which I mostly agree with. They were explored in fullness in the 1,168 pages and I could have done with a Reader's Digest version. Much of the dialogue in the book added nothing to the book, characters, etc. and could have been eliminated or shortened. As I was reading John Galt's speech (~56 pages) I couldn't help think of a professor I had who commented on an author liking to hear them self talk. I believe that view would have been expressed here ... (show more)

  The book has several philosophical views of which I mostly agree with. They were explored in fullness in the 1,168 pages and I could have done with a Reader's Digest version. Much of the dialogue in the book added nothing to the book, characters, etc. and could have been eliminated or shortened. As I was reading John Galt's speech (~56 pages) I couldn't help think of a professor I had who commented on an author liking to hear them self talk. I believe that view would have been expressed here by that professor. Rand was thorough in conveying her philosophical views which are Aristotle's.

  I thought the story of the book was outstanding and I even enjoyed the politics. The philosophy, as I stated, I agree with most, could have done with less. It very thought provoking and interesting to see the results of a socialist policy. I recommend the book. (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on Sep 19, 2009 at 05:26PM

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