Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Edition)
by Ayn Rand
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Book Reviews of Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Edition)
Book Review: The Perils of Socialism...
Summary: 5 Stars
Despite its popularity, Atlas Shrugged is more a vehicle than a novel and as such it can try a reader's patience. It can captivate, it can challenge, but one recognizes it for what it is: a literary Trojan Horse. Rand wheels in her plots only to employ them as devices to tout her well-honed objectivism, (all well and good, I might add, until the moment the ruse crosses over to redundancy).
I sympathize with Rand's views to the extent that they address the temporal, but the evils of socialism are quickly understood. By page 300 I was urging her to get on with it. Further on, however, she turns the corner and Atlas Shrugged finally begins to engage the responsive reader. There is evidence today of what Rand warns against and her didacticism is roundly welcomed.
One must ultimately decide what they value in this book - as a novel, I believe it achieves the sobriquet "ponderous". As a treatise it affected me deeply. While the core tenets of Atlas Shrugged are not unfamiliar, Rand's magnum opus provides intellectual focus. It is a reference point from which one launches assessment of the world at large.
Atlas Shrugged survives any criticism as literature because it is a clarion call for individual liberty. One may deny the relative value of its message, but one cannot doubt its influence. It's a novel one wants to rate lower, but one that inexorably demands 5 stars.
Book Review: Amazing Book...
Summary: 5 Stars
Rand considered Atlas Shrugged to be her magnum opus. Atlas Shrugged is about a railroad heiress, Dagny Taggart, as she watches society collapse around her as the government increasingly asserts control over industry. All while society's most productive citizens, led by the mysterious John Galt, continue to disappear. Galt strives to stop the motor of the world by withdrawing the minds that drive social growth and productivity. With their minds on strike Galt's group hopes to demonstrate that the economy will collapse without the profit motive and efforts of the rational and productive.
Atlas Shrugged is one of the best books I've read. The book has an amazing story and plot line. I got into the characters as they developed. Ayn Rand's writing and philosophical background culminate into a truly amazing book. Rand's views on individual rights and laissez-faire capitalism shine through as she portrays society collapsing around the growing government control in Atlas Shrugged. I portion of my enjoyment of the book centers around Rand's and my shared views on government and business controls. Overall Atlas Shrugged is great book; Rand's focus is on story development with a heavy undertone of her options on limited government control. Even if you don't care about politics or business you will still enjoy Atlas Shrugged. I'm looking forward to reading Ayn Rand's other books like The Fountainhead.
Book Review: A novel that couldn't be more spot on, she is prophetic.
Summary: 5 Stars
There are many great reviews so I will keep it short. Ayn writes extremely well, very artistic, great choices in phrasing, the words she uses are timely and impact the reader more now than probably any other time from its release in 1957. I was so wrapped up in the story at times I forgot I was here and not there. She desired a world in which her characters actually existed, but I'm afraid there aren't many men or women who I have come across that exhibit those character traits today.
The story basically shows the detriment that is placed upon a country, namely the USA when the government gets involved with its economic planning. The Producers of wealth don't take well to the government tyranny in this novel, it's not pretty to say the least and of course we (people of the USA) are deeply in the middle of this right now so it is a good time to read it if you haven't. Don't be scared by the 1168 pages it is page turning artistry.
When I was finished I felt like my friends had all left me and now I wanted to start it over again to stay in touch through a repetitive journey of creative genius. I will definitely read this again, to keep alive the dream of how great this country would be if we followed most of the ideas in this book. Start it today, you won't be sorry. Unless your a communist!
Book Review: Exciting, Life Enhancing Experience
Summary: 5 Stars
Exciting story, fascinating characters, suffused with deep philosophical underpinnings if you care to think on them. I've read Atlas three times over the decades. Each time more slowly to savor the story, analogies, and philosophy - and finding new surprises. The story is so rich it remains fresh and exciting. My copy is now filled with marginalia exploring the intriguing ideas.
For those interested in the philosophical explorations, Galt's radio speech is icing on the cake. If not, this is easily skipped. It is a jewel which we can refer back to and study at leisure.
As literature, this is a great achievement and great read. Philosophically, Rand challenges 2000 years of fallacious philosophy - especially ethics. Harking back to Aristotle, she recognizes reason, rather than emotions, as man's guide to living and happiness.
Rephrasing Jefferson, Rand would agree that man is endowed, by his reason, with inalienable rights of live, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
And true, if you care to think deeper on the events of the novel, beyond the mystery and adventure, it will prepare you for understanding our current culture, workings of the economy, and political errors.
Book Review: A beautiful piece of propaganda for the moneyed elites
Summary: 1 Stars
This book exemplifies the propaganda that the wealthy use to justify their excesses. The most productive members of society are in fact the common laborers who make up about 90% of society. They are your factory workers, your Wal-Mart associates, the people who grow the food and who actually build things. They are the people who make $10 per hour so that CEOs and socialites can sit around and count their millions-billions. This book constitutes a threat by the elites to go on strike and stop spending money if the government attempts to interfere to improve the lot of the majority. People are interested in this book because American society is struggling with this problem at present. This is a perfect time for government to begin to set some rules to level the playing field (for example by taxing all accumulated wealth instead of workers' hard-earned income) and to fire up the printing presses to help working citizens. These people will spend the money that they receive instead of hoarding it like the banks are currently doing. Ultimately, the massive government spending of WWII killed the depression and there is no reason to think that it can't get us out of a relatively small recession.