Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Atlas Shrugged
Book Review: Capitalist Hegemony NOW!
Summary: 5 Stars
Atlas Shrugged is a book about the role of reason in man's life. Reason as an absolute. Reason as a source of knowledge and truth, as against faith, authority, or any form of wishful thinking. Reason as a guide to action, as the standard of value, as the basis for a rational, objective moral code. And above all, reason as a creative power, the source of all human achievements, from philosophy to the sciences to art to invention and material production. On this score, one of Rand's great achievements was to dramatize the role of the mind in production, cutting through the false dichotomy between spiritual and material affairs.As individualists, Rand's heroes reject any demand for self-sacrifice. The novel is the story of a strike by "the men of the mind," the producers and achievers, a strike to protest and withdraw their sanction from the idea that they have to live for others, and that the greater their ability the greater the debt they owe. "We are on strike," says John Galt, "against self-immolation. We are on strike against the creed of unearned rewards and unrewarded duties. We are on strike against the dogma that the pursuit of one's happiness is evil." Those who join Galt's strike swear an oath, by their life and their love of it, that they will not live for the sake of others nor ask others to live for them.
Life affirming & life changing, this is a 'once in a lifetime' read that will open hearts and minds to the evil realities of the socialised communitarian world we live in. There's the 'Third Way' and the RIGHT WAY!
Book Review: Hard to read but hard to fault.
Summary: 5 Stars
It must be said that Ayn Rand's fiction is not subtle. Her characters and situations should really be taken as cyphers used to illustrate her philosophy, Objectivism, rather than literary devices as we usually understand them. I would also be the first to say that Atlas Shrugged is far, far too long and could have done with some heavy editing. The same points are made again and again and at greater and greater length. The word prolix springs to mind. Many times.Having said that the philosophy which Ayn Rand is aiming to illustrate in her fiction is a wonderful breath of fresh air. It's core - that the voluntary association of free individuals will produce the greatest economic benefits and greatest freedom for all - gives you hope (and some intellectual ammunition) when confronted with the false dichotomy of conservatism and socialism in modern political debate. Atlas Shrugged is also a perfect illustration of how centrist economic thinking leads to disastrous, albeit unintended, consequences.
The thing I always take away from Ayn Rand's books is how wonderful it is to be left alone to determine the course of my life according to my own values. Something else the various politicos, bureaucrats, "activists" and co. would do well to heed. Despite it's rubbery prose style Atlas Shrugged should be required reading for all MPs and the senior civil service. If it was we'd all be a lot better off, financially and intellectually.
Book Review: The most empowering piece of literature I have ever read
Summary: 5 Stars
The ideas in this book make so much sense. I have never read such a powerful piece of literature presented in such an interesting way. It makes you want to live your life to your full capacity and full ability. It makes you want to achieve, to create, to invent, to really really live. I read it one year ago and it really helped me personally as far as having a positive outlook and I am now re-reading it for the 2nd time. I have the deepest respect for the ideas in this book. I can relate to them, understand them, and see how they make sense. This is true inspiration. It gives you a very good perspective on different social ideals and the possible result of their enforcement. Best of all it inspires you to examine some of your thoughts more closely. This one really makes you think.
Book Review: A Towering Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
An incredible book, it fundamentally changed the way I looked at the world - and for the better. Apart from the staggeringly brilliant ideas contained within, it is an absolutely cracking good story!This book changed my life. What higher recommendation for a piece of literature is there?
Book Review: A disapointment!
Summary: 1 Stars
Well she did have an interesting view on life, but the dullest method of transmitting it. The basis of the story was actually quite good, but could have been told in a book half the size.With it's robotic characters, monotonous pontification and stilted dialogue I found the book heavy-going and dull. I had been looking forward to reading it and came away annoyed for wasting my own time. The story aside, I had been interested in the authors 'philosophy' (no definitions of objectivism in any dictionary of philosophy I looked in) but found a rather depressing and insipid form of egotism. I suppose I must be one of the pointless masses she objects to after all. Life-changing? well I felt like throwing my self in front of a bus afterwards, you can't get more life-changing than that!