Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Edition) by Ayn Rand
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Book Reviews of Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Edition)
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: Salve for my sanity
Summary: 5 Stars
First introduced to this book over 20 years ago, at the ripe old age of 25, I've gone back and reread it every 2 or 3 years.
Is the politically correct, liberally biased, social commentary of the political leadership and elite media making you crazy? Don't feel alone, just read this book and you'll find yourself calm, sane, and with a restored faith in our collective inevitable return to sanity. I'm not going to review the book, it's all been said, and although the final part of the book maybe somewhat farfetched, who ever thought 100 years ago that we'd all have a computer in our homes to do our shopping, book our travel, etc., all at the touch of our fingers? I read a lot of political novels, and commentarys, but this is the ONE book that I can't live without in my personal library, and the FIRST book that I recommend to everyone. I've loaned mine out so many times that I've had to replace it twice in 22 years, but I would do so 10 more times just to help do my part to insure that a few more people stop and think about the consequences of the Socialistic path we are on.
If Ayn were still alive and running for office, she'd have my vote!
Book Review: A very timely work for now. . .
Summary: 5 Stars
After first reading The Fountainhead I dove head long into Atlas hoping for a similar experience, but about a third of the way into the book it began to drag and I had to take a break because it was just so slow. I kept thinking about the book and after about a six month break picked it up again and started fresh. Think of this book as a nice long TV series as apposed to just a few episodes. The story is well written, if all be it a little sluggish at times, and the characters engaging. Rand's ideas will get you to think and think a lot. It's almost more relevant today then when it first came out. I was shocked when I was reading the book because things happening in it are happening in real life. It's a book that made me angry at things going on around me and think about how we got to where we are. Not a fast read, and Rand tends to make a point that could have been told in a paragraph or two go on for a page or two, but that's a minor complaint compared to the eye opening experience reading this book was. I do think one should start out with The Fountainhead to get used to her style but then by all means read this.Book Review: I Used To Lift Weights With Atlas
Summary: 5 Stars
Bathed in cynicism and despair, the people in tough economic times such as these might rhetorically ask, "Who is John Galt?" Well, little do these people know how little they know. For they know not who John Galt is, but I do. John Galt is The Mythical Mr. Boo, who is also known as Atlas. And The Mythical Mr. Boo never shrugs, because The Mythical Mr. Boo was born without shoulders.
So while he won't shoulder all the hardships, he can surely stomach the cramps of society (he is half cow on his mother's side and possesses two stomachs). So, If our current economic situation is enough to make you want to throw up, just be glad that you don't eat your own vomit, like The Mythical Mr. Boo does.
Anyway, "Atlas Shrugged" was intellectually delicious, and I'd recommend consuming it before I'd advise you to eat a whole pasture of grass. But I will say that if you can't afford to eat beef, you might seriously consider eating grass. It's like my grandpa always used to say, "If you can't eat the cow, you might as well eat what the cow eats."
Book Review: Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
The perfect book for all seasons. The absolute choice for your College bound student. My advice, have them read this before they go off to their first year of College. Bribe them if you must, some of the manifesto like sections will roll their eyes back into their heads.....but get them to read it and discuss it with you. The story of John Galt comes closer to reality each and every day. Just look at the mess Washington is making of capitalism in America. From SOX to Bail Out Nation to selecting which car dealerships should live or die, it is all about punishing achievement and molly coddling folks that the government think are too stupid to understand things for themselves. If you have already read it ...read it again....If you missed it, don't miss it now. If you can get your kids to read it is worth a whole year away from home! This book brings the fallacy of the common good home for everyone to understand. Celebrate the triumph of the human spirit.
This edition is also the easiest on the eyes! Paper and ink matter!