Atlas Shrugged (Cliffs Notes) by Andrew Bernstein
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Book Reviews of Atlas Shrugged (Cliffs Notes)
Book Review: GREAT TOOL TO HAVE!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've pushed my way through many years of school without buying a single Cliffsnotes. I found it funny that my first purchase would be for a book I choose to read on my own accord. Rand's novel can't be praised enough, but I also have to give the Cliffnotes for the novel their fair due. This little book was a great help in gaining a better understanding of this massive novel. I really enjoyed the in depth character analysis, the tight summary of the book, and the critical essays offered at the end. If I were to write a paper on the book, I would definitely gain from having these notes. More importantly, by reading the book chapter by chapter, then going to the Cliffnotes and reading along to cover what I had just read, I was able to get through a work that covers a TREMENDOUS amount of ground, with a huge scope, and not get lost. After gaining as much as I did from using the Cliffnotes as a study tool while reading this novel, I made sure to pick up the Cliffnotes for "Fountainhead" so I could do the same for that book. I will definitely give consideration to purchasing Cliffnotes for my longer, more challenging future reads.Book Review: A Writer Obviously In Love With His Subject Matter
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a terrific condensation of Ayn Rand's masterpiece on the morality of capitalism, and it glows with author affection. Dr. Andrew Bernstein is sometimes called an "Ayn Rand evangelist," but he prefers to describe his activities using a more sober expression, "rational proselytization." His Cliffs distillation accurately captures the gist of Atlas Shrugged, the plot and the philosophy, and his post-chapter analyses offer the sort of illumination that comes only from deep knowledge of, and unbridled enthusiasm for, the subject matter.Atlas Shrugged is, for many, a difficult book to get into; I know people who say they've attempted to start it five or six times. Given that Atlas is vastly richer than the Cliffs Notes version, my recommendation is for the reader to explore the Cliffs Notes and Atlas Shrugged simultaneously, chapter by chapter, first reading a condensed chapter and then the real thing.
And if you ever get the chance to see Dr. Bernstein in person, go for it. He's a captivating and witty speaker, a genuinely inspiring Ayn Rand evangelist.
Book Review: A nice surprise
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read Atlas Shrugged many times and I was pleasantly surprised by this cliffs notes summary and analysis of the book. It includes a short biography of Ayn Rand while the bulk of the book is spent on a detailed going over of Ayn Rand's plot, theme, and characters. It is fascinating to read an intelligent analysis of these characters. This is in-depth analysis and covers characters all the way from Hank Reardon to Gwen Ives. The gems of the book are the two critical essays; The Role of the Mind in Human Life and the Role of the Common Man in Atlas Shrugged: the Eddie Willers Story. There is even a little Atlas Shrugged quiz at the end...What is the theme of Atlas Shrugged? This book is written by an Objectivist author and is definately worth buying.Book Review: The desired effect
Summary: 5 Stars
I tried for months to get my husband to read Atlas Shrugged (since we are living it) to no avail. I bought the Cliffs Notes to give him an overview, so that he would know what I was talking about. In the meantime, I loaned my copy of Atlas Shrugged to my neighbor. By the time my husband finished the Cliffs Notes, he was complaining that the neighbor was "taking a long time" reading the book.
The book is back and he can't wait to read it, so the Cliffs Notes had the desired effect.
Book Review: Bernstein - right choice for Cliff note on Atlas
Summary: 5 Stars
Like Rand, Bernstein is a philosopher and novelist. His extensive study of Rand's thought is evident in this masterful recapitulation of Rand's great novel. He understands Rand's ideas and characters, leading to a sympathetic treatment. However, he avoids being an overbearing propagandist. For those of us who were riveted by the action the first time we read Atlas, this will serve as a discussion with a `friend' as we recall the events and characters. Enjoy.