Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
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Book Reviews of Atlas Shrugged
Book Review: High-action adventue novel about love of life!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you like an action novel with adult-size, believable heroes living in the same world you do and, at the same time, the kind of book that'll make you re-think every idea you've ever heard or lived your life by, you'll love Atlas Shrugged..
In it, you'll meet Dagny Taggart, a woman who runs a continental railroad against the resistance of her incompetent and politically-connected brother. You'll meet Francisco Domingo Carlos Andres Sebastian D'Anconia, the latest heir to a world-wide copper empire, which he blows up, appearing to become a worthless playboy for a reason you can't guess for 2/3 of the novel. You'll meet Hank Reardon, the archetypical example of the American self-made industrialist, who invents a new kind of metal, stronger and lighter than steel. When you first meet him, he is unable to understand why, not only his country, but his family does not value his creativity and productiveness. He learns why over the course of the novel. The world you live in is the world he lives in, a world in which there are two opposite moral systems in deep conflict. In Atlas Shrugged, you'll meet Ragnar Danneskjold, a modern-day, high-seas pirate who hijacks American relief ships carrying cargo to the failed People's Socialist Paradises around the world. He sells the cargo for gold, which he uses to reimburse people's income tax to them.
The main character? Him you don't meet until 2/3 of the way into the novel. And when you do, you'll have several emotional reactions, one of which is to laugh your head off, because you'll realize that the author has laid clues about this character from the first sentence all the way through. He is the character who has let loose a plot in the world of the novel that makes it clear what the moral conflict is in the world and how it affects your life today, where you live.
This story will make you angry, make you cry, fill you with uplifting feelings, and cause you to say, "I've thought things like this before." You'll see the world around you differently, You'll understand the people around you differently. You'll see yourself differently.
The author is Ayn Rand, a woman whose life was adventurous as the novels she wrote. If you like Atlas, you'll like all the rest of her books.
Now, the recommendation of Atlas Shrugged does come with a warning. Though English was not Ayn Rand's first language, it is written in the purest, most crystal-clear English you have ever read. It will draw you along page after page and it is 1,000 pages. So, you are well-advised to eat, drink and sleep between sections of chapters.
There are two kinds of people who have read Atlas Shrugged. There are those who hate it and would love to gnash teeth on its author. Then, there are those, like me, who will say, "It changed my life."
Several years ago, the Library of Congress and the Book of the Month Club did a survey among the nation's readers, asking, "What book has most influenced your life?" The number one book was the Bible. Number two was Atlas Shrugged.
Ayn Rand is the thinker who champions you every time you spend time alone with your own mind, doing your own thinking about what you are experiencing in life. And, if you are a businessperson, hers is the only voice on planet Earth that gives a moral defense of your activity in society as a businessperson.
If you love your life on Earth, you'll find Atlas Shrugged is the most inspiring novel ever written.
Book Review: Who is John Galt?
Summary: 5 Stars
Ayn Rand is noted as saying she considers her interest in philosophy only as a tool to support her love of writing fiction. However, as Atlas Shrugged clearly exemplifies, Rand is a master of articulating her philosophy by means of her fiction.
Atlas Shrugged provides a storyline that expresses Rand's vision of Objectivism so well that one need not have any formal outline of her values beyond the storyline to comprehend her philosophy. Ironically, the speech by Galt to the nation that defines the philosophy in full and seemingly was added to clarify Objectivism as a whole was hardly needed to convey the message as the plot was so well contrived that it accomplished the task with ease. Thus if Atlas Shrugged has a weakness, it is in Rand's seemingly lack of interest in brevity; however, the perpetual nature of the storyline easily diffuses this issue.
Rand has the remarkable ability in this book to provide both eloquent expression of surroundings and emotion in conjunction with a plot line that builds and recesses to an eventual climax. Early on we are led to believe that we are in search of answers to questions that have not yet been fully formulated. This pursuit of truth is coordinated with the defining natures of her characters. The meaning of the disappearance of so many productive figures from society is nearly presented many times only to be taken away leaving the reader left yearning for more when those answers were abruptly thwarted (such as Francisco's meeting with Hank at the mills). This style of narrative provides an abundance of interest while establishing the mindset of Rand's philosophy.
Much has been said regarding the manner in which Rand has expressed Objectivism in this book. Rand is often accused of creating a far too bipolar characterization of people, as well as an unrealistic mindset of the book's adversaries. Defense of her views is superfluous, as the philosophy either stands on its own merit or falters. However, Rand's use of lucid dialog and expression of character flaws to communicate her ideals, even while reaching to extremes, is clearly with the guided intent of making her point. We should also recall that Rand entered this world deep in the heart of the Soviet Union where such people of extreme socialistic views were not uncommon, perhaps suggesting the possibility that her characterizations are extreme only when viewed by those growing up in a "free" society.
Rand presents a work of fiction that illustrates an atypical philosophy, not a commentary on human nature. While the manner may be close in nature, any critical thinking of this book will produce the obvious nature of the difference and come to the conclusion that Rand does an admirable job expressing her vision whether the philosophy is sound or not.
I highly recommend reading Atlas Shrugged to those interested in undertaking any critical thinking. Rand presents a disciplined and unyielding philosophy that deserves both scrutiny and consideration. One has the added benefit of discovering Objectivism within the realm of an enjoyable fictional piece that includes mystery, romance, industry, and plenty of action. While there are many great philosophers whose work might rank higher in overall consideration, few among them would be as aptly capable of wrapping their position into a separate and pleasing storyline as Rand has bestowed with Atlas Shrugged.
Book Review: Fabulous Book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Atlas Shrugged is one of the greatest books of all time, but, like some other great books such as the Bible or the Koran, it is not for everyone. It is serious stuff for serious people.
In the first place, you have to be of an intellectual bent to take it in and enjoy doing so. If you crave sit-coms to stimulate your brain, forget it!
Secondly, you have to be comfortable with unbridled rationality, as well as having some things you always believed turned upside down.
The concepts in "Atlas Shrugged" are neither difficult to understand nor veiled in symbolism. Ms. Rand makes her message abundantly clear. However, there are people disposed by nature, upbringing, education, intellect or whatever who can fearlessly accept, or at least contemplate, tough rational thinking like hers, and others who cannot. For example, atheists see no reason to believe there is life after to death, and they fearlessly accept it. Conversely, other people, probably the great majority, draw back in horror from such rationality. They turn to faith-based truth, such as the existence of heaven. For the former group, the rationalists, this book presents a confirming, fascinating, even joyfull philosophy about the true nature of mankind, and who its heroes are. It will change how they view what happens in the world. But for the latter group, "Atlas" may be a disturbing, even hateful book that they will not want to believe because it may conflict with their faith-based truth.
Ms. Rand's basic tenet is that every man and woman is born free, and no one has any claim of ownership on any part of their soul, mind, body nor the fruits of their productive effort. If you are a true believer in freedom, you will appreciate and feel at home with this idea. You will cheer for the book's heroes and feel revulsion for their enemies. In fact, this book may determine the depth of one's understanding of freedom. Many readers may squirm, surprised to recognize their own philosophy as being similar to the "collectivists," who are the book's villains. If you believe everyone is born indebted by obligations to family or society or the government or a supernatural power, etc., then you do not believe we are born free. This book will thrust you into a foreign and frightening landscape that you will not enjoy. You will want to make your escape and forget what you saw.
Many people criticize the quality of writing and the long winded speaches in "Atlas" (one lulu goes on for 100 pages), but that misses the point. Ms.Rand said she was a philosopher, not a novelist. "Atlas" is not her attempt to write a great novel, per se. Instead, her purpose was to write down her philosophy using the novel as medium, in much the same way Plato wrote "The Republic" in the form of conversations. "Atlas Shrugged" is not light entertainment, to be sure. It is heavy, thought provoking, life changing philosophy that Ms.Rand makes easier to digest by putting it in the form of a pretty good story. If you want simple amusement, read something else. But if you have the desire and courage to cast off your mental and moral chains and truly understand human freedom, "Atlas Shrugged" will enlighten you like nothing you have ever read before nor will ever read again.
Book Review: In Praise of Rand
Summary: 5 Stars
I was prompted to write this review after reading some of the 1* reviews.
Obviously, we have read different books. I will do my best to not spoil it for those who haven't yet read it. You can see how I feel about it from my 5*s.
The book deals with some very serious questions that an intelligent person ought to be able to consider.
* From where does human progress arise? Rand doesn't ask the question the way I will, but I think she'd appreciate my approach. Why was there no creativity to speak of in medieval Europe, yet it flourished during the Renaissance? What is it that made America the innovation center of the world for so many years, and why is America losing that edge now? What must the mainland Chinese government do if it would turn itself into such a powerhouse that no other nation could compete (where the top 10% of their students outnumber the entire population of students in America), and why am I not worried that they will do so anytime soon? Rand answers these questions - in depth. Not my exact questions, but admirers of Atlas will surely see that she does.
* What does "consent of the governed" really mean? What happens in a democracy when the governed are forced to serve the State instead? What happens in a politically correct world where excuses for mediocrity are promoted as the ideal?
* At one point, Rand shows that the novel's main hero also has feet of clay; that he can be bullied by the State. He is swift enough to avoid this difficulty, but Rand shows this to be true. What does this imply for all who would be strong?
The book is an allegory. It is not a portrayal of America as it really was in 1957 nor at any other time, though I think that we could now be moving in the direction she warned us about. Without spoiling it, let's just say that the book ignores certain political and legal realities that existed in 1957 and still exist today, that would stop or at least slow down the events portrayed in Atlas.
Rand must have known this; yet she chose to write the book as she did. Why? I think it's because she needed to paint things black and white. She needed the simplicity of characterization to paint on a canvass this large. Some of the critics' comments are true. Some of the characters do lack depth. Same could be said of many of Heinlein's characters, or those of Mark Twain and Jules Verne, etc. In some stories, characterization is not the main goal. Nor should it be. Sometimes there is a story to tell; a point to make; a lesson to be taught.
Within this context, I have to say that Atlas Shrugged is my favorite novel to date. I was sad that it ended, which to me is the mark of good entertainment. I was sad to say goodbye to the characters. I would have liked to see what happened next, for there is much that is left unanswered about society as she left it. Again - I'm betting that was also intentional.
Rand created a masterpiece and to those who critiqued it, I would simply suggest that you read it again. For I believe that there is something you must have missed. I know I'm being presumptuous. If that's the worst problem you have to deal with, you should count yourself fortunate.
Book Review: Misunderstood
Summary: 5 Stars
The very instant you hear someone saying "She thinks so-and-so because in the end it's better for humanity" stop the conversation, because that person has either not read the book, or did not read it closely.
Ayn Rand's philosophy attempts to destroy the common trends in modern and contemporary philosophy who claim either there are no moral absolutes, or there are no absolute truths in reality. The claim is that in both instances there are absolutes, and we can know them.
Yes in this novel the characters are unrealistically good at everything, (good looking, can fly airplanes, incredibly intelligent, etc. etc.) Many people have taken this to be a sign of naivety in her writing. To those people I suggest you look at your premises of what constitutes "naive." Ayn Rand tries repeatedly to show that excellence is something to be loved, not flaws.
This sort of theme is present in all Greek epics, and in fact to the Greeks the very definition of "Hero" is something absolutely indistinguishable from what we typically see in our culture today. To the Greeks, heroism was practically synonymous with today's highly successful businessman. They attained wealth, and fame/glory. Yet the very same literary minded people who attack Atlas Shrugged for this precise theme will write entire dissertations on Greek epics, usually in extremely high regard.
The difference is a change of setting, and the philosophy of the person reading the book. She wanted to bring back the values which brought out the best in an individual, where all around her were novels which said that people are to be loved for their flaws, and that one should be GUILTY for loving something for how good it is.
This is only one aspect of the book, but an important one.
As for the economic themes, if you disagree with anything said in the book I only have to direct you to the American economy today. Banks are being seized and sold by the government, hundreds of billions of dollars (forcefully seized from its citizens) being spent to bail out banks (And should I add that in the beginning the banks were forced to take on these subprime loans, or else be sued for 'economic discrimination' and face other fines/legality issues. I know no other way to determine who to give a loan to except for 'economic discrimination' ) Smoking bans for private property, private property seizures.. the list goes on.
I think it's very unfortunate that people will read this book and leave it with such a deep rooted misunderstanding of it, when I approached this book I thought that I understood Ayn Rand's philosophy (at the time I was a libertarian) but I realized that I had everything absolutely wrong, and I had to go on a personal quest to figure out right and wrong practically from the beginning. This book changed me from pragmatism, (The exact antithesis of "absolute" the most subjective philosophy to exist) and showed me a way to live my life and be supremely happy with my accomplishments. I've never been happier in my life, and I only intend to continue accomplishing and bettering myself. Why? because I want to.
That's what this book has done for me.