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Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand Reviews

ruddinMouthShut Verified Member
Delhi India
The book is wordy, A Wow Read
Dec 14, 2015 03:12 PM 3477 Views

This is the story of a man who said that he would stop the world's motor and did. Is it safe to say that he was a destroyer or the best of deliverers?


This book genuinely makes you look at yourself and your behavior, which is the reason I think numerous individuals couldn't care less for this book. It's a location and a considerable number individuals don't like to get tended to. I venerated it. While I've never been a "marauder, " I have settled on a couple of outlandish options for the duration of my life, which this 1000+ page location has helped me to stop doing. It demonstrates to you to think with your mind, rather than your heart.


It doesn't make you an inhumane person. In spite of all that you feel with your heart, then again you think with your mind. Use your mind as opposed to wanting to get the prizes of other individuals who do all the thinking. If everyone did this, the world would be flawless - that is the best approach behind Ayn's story. Clearly, this will never happen. Ayn understood that. She simply made an account about her ideal world. A lot of makers do that. No convincing motivation to get irritated at her in light of it.


Yes, the book is wordy, be that as it may her words are virtuoso as I might want to think. I worshiped the long radio talk. Skip it in case you are despising the book or stunningly better, stopped comprehension it. Go out and see the blooms. Is the story high complexity? No doubt. Makers have unmistakable styles - people whimper. In case every inventor wrote in the same style, people would fuss.


In case you have a responsive viewpoint and are willing to take in something from every book and experience you have and create as a man, then you will benefit by scrutinizing this book.


As Ayn Rand's immortal opus, Atlas Shrugged
Oct 15, 2015 11:46 AM 4019 Views

This is the narrative of a man who said that he would stop the world's engine and did. Is it safe to say that he was a destroyer or the best of deliverers?


This book truly makes you examine yourself and your conduct, which is the reason I think many people don't care for this book. It's an address and a great many people don't prefer to get addressed. I adored it. While I've never been a "plunderer, " I have settled on a few unreasonable choices throughout my life, which this 1000+ page address has helped me to quit doing. It shows you to think with your psyche, instead of your heart. It doesn't make you a coldhearted individual. Despite everything you feel with your heart, however you think with your brain. Utilize your brain rather than hoping to get the prizes of other people who do all the reasoning. In the event that everybody did this, the world would be impeccable - that is the way to go behind Ayn's story. Obviously, this will never happen. Ayn realized that. She just composed an anecdote about her optimal world. A great deal of creators do that. No compelling reason to get annoyed at her in light of it.


Yes, the book is longwinded, however her words are virtuoso as I would like to think. I adored the long radio discourse. Skip it on the off chance that you are loathing the book or even better, quit understanding it. Go out and notice the blossoms. Is the story high contrast? Most likely. Creators have distinctive styles - individuals whine. On the off chance that each creator wrote in the same style, individuals would gripe.


On the off chance that you have a receptive outlook and are willing to take in something from each book and experience you have and develop as a man, then you will profit by perusing this book.


swapnil635MouthShut Verified Member
delhi India
Who is John Galt?
Jul 11, 2015 09:18 PM 3688 Views

Before you commit yourself to read this humongous 1200 pages book, my sincere advice to you is to read AR "anthem"(her masterpiece), which is only 80 pages long so you can get an idea what her philosophy of objectivism stand for.


Her philosophy defined man as a heroic being whose sole purpose in life is to attain his own happiness, but at the same time no one achieve happiness by wishful thinking or whining for it nor by losing his moral integrity or respect for fellow human beings rights, it requires looking at the world from a rational view point. Her philosophy is so misunderstood that people criticized her by call her philosophy a philosophy of selfishness


Now coming back to atlas shrugged, I believe you can actually tell when a writer is in love with his work and characters, it just shows, plot and writing style is absolutely beautiful, each character is not picked from some fairytale, hence you can relate to them is some way. The perspective and depth of characters is depicted so beautifully. Even a simple act of smoking is defined so beautifully that you wants to read it again n again.


Philosophy and characters shows a deep understanding of human behaviour, but at same time lacks practicality in real life and at places it feels author is trying to shove her idea down your throat, AR had took lot of heat because of her virtue of selfishness. My advice is to read this novel without getting attach to any single character, otherwise you will lose the complete point.A MUST READ.


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Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand
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Captivating Philosophy, Well written
Jun 04, 2015 12:00 AM 4029 Views

This is one of my top fav's. One cannot sell their philosophy in much more compelling way. The philosophy is flawed to some extent since the world is not in exact black and white shades as described and at the end of the day, everyone is human. However, it eulogizes intelligence, which exactly is what is needed in the world to be successful.


The way the book is written is good, the speeches on the philosophy might get boring sometimes, but that wont keep you from reading till the end. The plot is good, writing style is excellent and that is what sells this book.


Just don't let the philosophy carry you away to unknown lands, you'll like it.


Voluminous, but a must read
May 11, 2015 08:48 PM 4450 Views

Though reading this voluminous book written in old English is tough, this one I would like to recommend. This book is easier to understand than the author's'The Fountainhead', but it is based on the same theme. So if you haven't read Fountainhead, but want to read the author, better take up this one. This is a better attempt at explaining the author's idea of Objectivism.


It speaks of a world wherein Government efforts to share the fruits of one's labour with all, brings about a complete dearth of Entrepreneurs. And in that world, a few people continue to struggle to keep their business going.  Its all about fighting all odds to be the best you can, even if it does not make you popular. Somehow, it also reminds me of the character of Guru in the film based on Dhirubhai Ambani.


Delhi India
Get your inner...
Sep 20, 2009 12:27 PM 5264 Views

From the time we are born till the time we lay in bed, we keep working and look for the things which society around us offers us.


Our thinking is to an extent controlled and influenced by the society and its people with whom we are in contact. Maximum number of us are never on the way we can be as best, as excellent, as prudent as one could think of, I mean the best which nature and All mighty might have provided us.


This book is one source that make us realise the same and let us think on the fact : Are we actually worth of someting peculiar?? Are we on the right path??


It let us bring kinda fire in us to let beleive in our minds and drive on the paths we think we are capable of, we are excellent in.


I really like this book very much and truly recommend it to you all as it will let you discover "U" in yourself("excellence" in yourself)..


Thanks,


Tushar


I am therefore i'll think
Dec 23, 2008 05:55 PM 5293 Views

Reading an ar book is an experience in itself. The title given to this so-called review of mine"i am therefore i'll think" is apt because thats what shows the quality of her writing and the power it has on the readers. I , for one, am completely mesmerised by the story and am still in the act and trying to match the closest of them all.


Would be flattering to be even close enough to dagny taggart!!


Coming back to the title, it's one of the reasons to read about fountainhead or atlas shrugged, i.e. The purpose of one's existence is the key to how a person functions in life....atleast i am a strong believer of that!!!


Its an eye opener for people who have still not understood this very basic thing about existing...and mind you just not surviving which for me means only an animal instinct.....a person be it a male or a female needs to know the path of journey. Every value that human life depends upon is and necessarily be a product of the reasoning mind. This my dear readers is ar's thesis depicted in atlas shrugged.


The situations and story though are fictional but am able to easily associate with our today's ongoing scenario.....at every stage, the person designated for a particular work is not performing to his fullesst out of ignorance, laziness, personal agenda. The list goes on for those who just do not want to work!!!.......what nobody realises is how far reaching effects this simple lazy act has over the complete nation.


Due to somebody not performing. Some other person who realises the sensibilities has to cover up......which means that person doubles up the work..which cannot go on for long..and the whole system crumbles. Like the recent terrorist attacks on mumbai..everybody is just trying to figure out the reasons....some are blamin the politicians. Some the navy..some the intelligence bureau. This is the latest example of the lazy and careless act of certain few which now led to the death of hundreds of innocent lives!!!! Post which many rallies have taken place. We again talk about the spirit of mumbai and life goes on!!!....


If only every individual understands his own role in the big act called life on earth......this may not happen...and i sincerely hope that this will not remain the same......and there are still a group of people similar to john galt , hank rearden, dagny tagart which can actually save this deteriorating life........its just a matter of fact of realising these characters within yourselves!!!!!


Comayagua Honduras
Reasons to Read Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged
Oct 14, 2008 07:54 AM 5828 Views

Atlas Shrugged, (for good or evil depending on your moral code), is THE book to understand what is happening and why in political economy, government, religion and conflicts with others.


If you know that Alan Greenspan is an artefact of AynRand you will understand that his policies and actions were completely premeditated to destroy the US economy.


Atlas Shrugged is written as fiction. She stated that her purpose was to write good fiction. However, this "fiction" is considered by many to be a textbook for the NWO and the Illuminati. It is capitalistic and elitist, but not mercantile in philosophy.


Her other fiction, like Anthem and even The Fountainhead pale in comparison to the depth and perception of this very disturbing philosophical treatise disguised as fiction. Once you read and understand it, you will never be able to see the world in the same way.


I was not able to understand it fully until I read it a dozen times or more, but each time I read it, I got more out of it and was able to apply it to more of my past and present experiences. Reading Atlas Shrugged is always worth the trip.


Atlas really Shrugged
Oct 07, 2008 10:15 AM 4626 Views

This book is a masterpiece, a literary as well as philosophical masterpiece. Its not about John Galt, its not about D'Anconia its not about Rearden as well(The prominent actors of the novel), its about the vision that leads the man towards the perfection which is known as GOD, yes GOD is a state and this is all that has been talked about in this masterpiece. I read Fountainhead first and then I read this book and this one is one step ahead of The Fountainhead.


Author  talks so honestly so simply that there is nothing more to see or understand because we can not break the simplest.Her imagination of the ideal world where there is no complexity, no hidden feelings is the world which was made by the GOD(my assumption) and the way she has potrayed her world seems to be the only true thing that can exist on this world. This novel tells us about the will of the man who can do anything when he is true. I assure you that after reading this book, you will never ask, "Who is John Galt?"


So this work is not worth reading once but as many times as you can.


Madinah, Hyderabad Saudi Arabia
GREAT READING PLEASURE !!!
Apr 23, 2007 06:45 PM 5753 Views

GREAT READING PLEASURE!


There were torrents of images crowding my eyes, my brain had wild uncontrolled gushes of


dense thoughts, my nerves had electric currents racing thru the length and breadth of body. My


veins were surging with disturbed singed blood waves, I had to stop reading sentences at times to


cope with the meanings they were forming. My whole being was fully busy absorbing the reactive


emotions generated by this book. Desire of sleep nor hunger stop me from putting down the book,


this is a massive book of over 1100 pages.


Suppose Atlas is holding the earth on his back, then he has full right to shrug a few times to


teach a lesson to claphappy looters and their riders, let them know from time to time common


people like me  have stopped immolating ourselves for the EQUILIZATION BOARD or UNIFICATION  COUNCIL the goal of all these slogans and committees is to deprive rights from the rightful, truth from the truthful and fruits from the toilers.


Alas one sad thought kept leaping up in my mind, how devastating life this writer Ayn-Rand must


have lived to be able to write so deeply, purposefully pin pointing the natures of her readers,


thru her invented characters. This is not a work of fiction, a novel with a story, this is a


commentary on the reader himself, it is a commentary on our world and the society we live in.


Translating her personal sour experiences of life and composing a very powerful, character


forming enjoyable book is a great talent indeed this writer possesses, this book has been


successful for so many years now.


I am glad for myself, she went thru all these bad experiences and sad that she had to. That is


what is life all about, gold does not shine without submitting to fire, purging impurities from


the greatest number of people is a talent worth praising.


*some characters worth mentioning in this book are:-


*Dr.Floyd Ferris


Dr.Simon Pritchtett


Fred Kinnan


James Taggart


Eddie Willers


Dr.Robert Stadler


Cherryl Taggart


Midas Mulligan


Ragnar Dannerskjold


Francisco.


Lillian Reardon


Hank Reardon


Ellis Whyte


Wesley Mouch.


Dagny Taggart


John Galt.


Orren Boyle.


Some words and ideas I like while reading this book is:-


-Mystics of Muscle


-Mystics of Spirits


-Words with rubber meaning


-A animal trainer knows no fear or torture can train animals, animals will trample the torturer


-Yet men in our world will torture humans thinking they will gain a upper hand.


-Burning of virtues will transform sins into virtue.



I SWEAR BY MY LIFE AND MY LOVE OF IT, THAT I WILL NEVER LIVE FOR THE SAKE OF ANOTHER MAN, OR ASK ANOTHER MAN TO LIVE FOR ME.




This sentence is used as a division between 2 CLUBS OF MEN in ATLAS SHRUGGED.


One club is exclusive top decision makers of the country, they don't know the results of what


they are doing, they are adamant in pursuit of their needs even if they loose the country itself


to their needs, their leader is James Taggart. They keep developing theories and directives, they


don't give up at whatever the cost, they love to kill the good in everyone, like Cherryl Taggart


who finds out thru her humble backgrounds


The other club wants to stop the world from moving, stop the motor of the world running, this club has minds, they are inventors, bankers, Industrialist and hard workers, they not only feel for themselves but they feel for everything around them, they want to improve life and eradicate the sufferings everywhere.


Now events, people, news, economy, every other thing in the country gets effected with the tussle


between these 2 CLUBS, both clubs know one thing for sure, their survival depends in destruction


of the other club. Dagny Taggart is caught in the middle, she is the heroine who is accepted by


both the clubs.


Dagny Taggart idolizes her grandfather Nat Taggart, he is the person who started the Railway


company, she is Head of Operations in the company, she is co-owner, she is a spirit who gets to


absorb the passion of 3 unbreakable heroes. She admires all the 3 of them, she said I love you to


each of them in her own way. 3 of these people(Francisco, Hank, John Galt) adore her for the


aptitude she has in running such a vast network of railways. She is willing to go without love


and give up the man for the sake of being there at the time of need for her Railways.


I recommend this book with 5 stars, it is supposed to have made a deep impact on Americans at the  time of the great depression, there are stories that this book influenced many a decisions of


American Government. Ayn-Rand has a very peculiar way of mentioning different countries of the


world, she says people's republic of Argentina, England, Europe, South America etc., She has


never mentioned one single thing about Russia, That is the country it seems she was angry with.


Whatever the hidden feelings of her personal life, she has written a thoroughly enjoyable book.


I could quote a few fantastic lines I liked very much from the book, but I don't want to spoil


the sure fun you will get reading them, I will not make a effort to explain or reflect on the plot or


some other details, as they are very original and must not be revealed at all. Let the reader


discover the excitement of discovering ecstatic reading .


Yo! Art can elevate itself into our personal characters!



Show Video

If Atlas really shrugs?
Nov 24, 2006 12:44 AM 4566 Views

I have read the Fountainhead by Ayn R, the same author and a similar kind of book naturally made me read this book.


Today I have forgot how the story began, as it has taken a long time to read the book. I take this opportunity to apologise to all lovers of books, but I did not want to miss this book from the library once I found the book, nor had I enough time to devote as it was my MBA exams.


While I started reading the book, to the time I completed it. The time taken was 4 months, quite a long time by any standards. But, throughout I was able to feel the essence of the book. 5 of my colleagues resigned, and one of the machinery was affected so much, that I call him and say,"Our machine cries with your name."


Although I am not sure the position is like John Galt and team leaving the world and going for strike, but when a lots of your people leave you, for reasons of the same kind.. you will necessarily feel the impact. You might start feeling like Dagny Taggart. These friends on Net, through emails and through the Mobile Telephone keep on telling you about the lovely Valley they are in!


I do not know what was the reason for Ayn R to write the book. She seems to be hell against about Mystics, socialists and all these ideas. While India is referred to as a part of an active unit, eventhough as a mystic loving country. And yes, necessarily, after reading the book, everyone will second her opinion.


Dagny Taggart's daring ways are great, so are Hank Rearden's. John Galt's are far superior and its difficult for a common man.


The Hero of the story is Dagny Taggart. She lives for the love of herself and for the love of things that are hers . She would have stayed back in the valley but for railroad and Hank. Her total character is clear and transparent, and eventhough we Indians may feel it awkward that she has loved two great gentlemen (her love to Fransisco may be taken as Infatuation,more than love), it does not seem as Awkward in the story itself.


Hank Rearden is a rare character, he is never rear. i.e. Behind. But is the rearwheel of a bicycle, the energy is converted into motion here. So is Hank's. He converts his Metal into energy and also pledges the property to save Dagny from the disgrace. He keeps taking care of his wife Lillian and that is also good. He never hates her anytime, till he meets Dagny that too because Lillian wants his money not his work., his greatness, his effort, his zeal. He likes his mills like any creator who would.


Fransisco D'Anconia is a confusing character unless you read it to the end and keep in touch with the story clearly. His speech at the party is really wonderful. After reading that speech, I felt I should give this copy to all those who proclaim against power and wealth, but do not leave till they get their fees. Its really an eye opener to all those who preach that material wealth is something that should be shrugged at and use mobile phones and distribute their cards at the end of the sermon.


John Galt's Character is too difficult. I dreaded him. Dreaded him for taking away the people from brainfull people away. Hated him because, it was through him that Hank Rearden's Mills and Taggart's trains went abegging. I felt he was a danger, by the way some intellectuals went away from my place. Oh I dont want the second Innings of John Galt. Please... if John Galt does come he should be limited to the pre 20th century company days.His motor may be really useful.


I am waiting for it!!!


Coming to the effort taken to read this book, this borrowed book, was very old, and it was a great effort to read this book for me. For most of the book was old, the paper was getting teared, and I had to staple paper to paper in an effort not to miss the pages. (1074 pages of wisdom, going away?) I shrugged, is Atlas really shrugging?


Let Atlas never shrug and there may be no Atlantis valley!


Chennai/Madras India
Essence of Atlas Shrugged
Oct 25, 2006 11:57 PM 4969 Views

This is my first review and I wanted to start with something great. So I am here reviewing "Atlas Shrugged" THE Best of the best of the books that I have read, even greater than Fountainhead. I think it will not be fair to tell you the gist of the story, nor the array characters and spoil the thrill you will gain while reading. There is no better way to introduce the characters as done by Ayn's herself. Are you wondering then what am I going to tell you ?


I will tell you who can read this book, Why to read and what is the theme of the story that will boost you to read. This is what made me read this book. I hope you too follow me. So here I go!!!


1) If you are a person who likes to analyse the human nature this is must for you. Be itDagny Taggard or Fransisco D’ Anconia or my favorite Rearden or the negatives like James Taggard you find a a realistic character like them.


2)If you are interested in philosophies of the modern lives you must read this. Yes This book was written more than half a century ago but let me remind you that it was the post industrial era and those were desperate times where each man struggled for his survival. Today we are in a better world if we know the tough times we can handle relatively easy ones with that knowledge.


3)If you are a person who likes working and find men around you trying to force their work in your hands and do nothing while enjoying its benefits of your effort or If you cannot tolerate people running away form their responsibilities but enjoys the powers given to maintain them and if you are wondering " Why on earth are all these men like this? how can they be like this?" GET A COPY OF THIS BOOK NOW!!. This book is a tribute to you. All of you.


Here is the essence of the theme of this book:


Atlas is the Greek Titan god who holds this earth on his back. What will happen when he shrug's? Think about it!!


There will be men who will be toiling hard and enjoy the fruits of their work and there will be men who will not only do nothing but also are jealous of the hard working men as they gain wealth for their work. These men don't realise that without work they wont get the benefits and they force the toiling men to share their burdens, fulfill their desires. The hard workers are happy to work and they carry the burdens. This goes on ( not to mention that even this real world). But these no good men desire more and more. They have less acumen to think without the hard workers they are doomed and start to plunder everything from the hard workers.( By saying money is not good. one must share his wealth) (I CANT STOP TELLING THIS. THESE THINGS BURSTS OUT FROM ME. why should one share his hard earned wealth. it is up to him to share it or not. how can lazy men decide the fate of hard workers.). The hard workers realise this and want to teach the no good ones a lesson. Thats it!!


Must reads in the book: The concept of money as explained by Fransisco D’ Anconia. wherever Fransisco D’ Anconia comes it is interesting. Read it!


Things that can be omitted: Ayn's may be too much descriptive sometimes. when you fell so move on!!


Hope you benefit from this.


Baroda/Vadodara india
Un-Put-Downable !! :-)
Oct 17, 2006 12:40 PM 5127 Views

Who is John Galt?


AynRand hits the nail on its head, with this immortal querry in Atlas Shrugged. A hard-hitting gripping story, with a relevance, 50 years after its publication, Atlas Shrugged does'nt need to reaffirm its credibility as one of the Masterpieces which time has endured over the years.


To tell what this astounding and gripping novel holds, n preaches, is beyond anyone's reach. Mine is just a modest attempt. Atlas Shrugged is about Rebirth of a man's spirit. It is about the profound question that Mankind has time and again, placed to its achievers. It is about people we see around ourselves every single day. It is about the relevance these people find with the self within us.


The plot of the story is set in and around the 1950's, about the same time the novel was concieved by AynRand, over the Backdrop of a crumbling national Economy. Atlas Shrugged, (which was originally named as"the Strike" ) describes the ardours of people who though may seem irrelevant today, but find specks of relevance in each one of us, and this is what stands as the master-work of AynRand. The Pivotal Characters of the plot, Dagny Taggard and John Galt may seem idealistic to some, but the attitude they display, is one that can only be reverred. For them, their Work is worship, and they have to pay the price throughout for just one thing, love of their work.


AynRand describes with examples galore, of how a person, who has ever worked to his own capabilities, and beyond, endures the tribulations and privations of all sorts on the hands of world. Look inside yourself. Ask yourself ! Be true ! Have'nt YOU faced anything that She has described? If the answer is a Resounding YES, Atlas Shrugged has proven its point.


The theme could not have been more relevant. A world where Innovation is ridiculed, used, and still opposed is the order of day.


We find a James Taggart, the cunning and Hypocritical Industrialist, amongst most of the people moving around ourselves, in a disguised form, because, if they come out of their hiding, they know they are doomed; but we allow them to roam freely.


We find in ourselves shades of Hank Rearden the innovative and hard working Industrialist,of a Robert Deneksjoild,the robber who goes on for snatching from the Rich, that which is not theirs, when we see something not going as it should morally go; ; but we suppress him.


We find in ourselves, vestiges of Dagny Taggart, a woman, who for her supreme love of her work, and its purity, takes into her stride every privation she has to endure. But we let her die every day, because maybe we are not yet ready to endure all that miseries ourselves.


We find Fransisco D' Anconia's genius within ourselves, struggling to erupt and make its mark, but we manage to stifle it somehow.


The man who promised to stop the machine of this world-and did-John Galt, an epitome of brilliance, and courage. A person, who was ready to sacrifice anything, even his love for this world, for the love of it, exemplifies the level of Human consciousness, untouched by almost all of us. He reminds us of the immortal Howard Roark.


We feel after reading the plot, that "This is what I want to become" or" I want my kid to be like this". But we don't change still !


WHY? Is it because we are afraid of changing for the betterment? Are we being too objective? Or is the novel still not relevant enough for "The strike" to begin.


AynRand leaves us with questions which we still have'nt found answers to.


If you want your kid to be given a chance to live and fight. Give him an Atlas Shrugged on his Birthday. Maybe he won't be a Galt. But maybe he won't be a James Taggart Either.


And the world would be a better place.


A few words for commencement.


If you would want to have a lifetime, with yourself, DO read Atlas Shrugged.


Brilliant Atlas Shrugged
Oct 13, 2006 07:19 PM 4431 Views

Ayn R's most notable, as well as most controversial novel, is spellbinding excitement. From the beginning, Atlas Shrugged includes suspense, deceit and a pedagogical analysis of her philosophy, Objectivism. What distinguishes this novel from other classic bestsellers is that Ayn R "writes for all ages."


Ayn R lived in Soviet Russia under the flag of Communism. Her philosophy, Objectivism, portrays the antithesis of this ideology. Her dealings and life experiences behind the harsh "Iron Curtain," where bread for the poor was a rarity but caviar for the leaders was abundant, tremendously influenced her book.


The novel follows the mind of the main character, Dagny Taggart, who is the epitome of the industrialist: ambitious, knowledgeable, greedy. But the negative connotation of "greedy" is suddenly reversed in a purely ironic fashion. To her, money is not just a stamp collection where the accumulation of more stamps for the sake of impressing others is the goal; rather, it would be solely for the enjoyment and pleasure of the philatelist. Monetary gain is a form of enjoyment for Dagny Taggart be-cause it reflects what matters most to her: her work.


The suspense of this book stems from the unending sub-plots. There are no dull moments; in the beginning, Dagny tells of her preoccupation with her biggest project; she later suffers mercilessly at the hands of a stifling directive; later, she goes on a futile search for John Galt.


The most impressive feature of this book to me is its intellectual content. Atlas Shrugged has different outlooks and the way it was written impresses me. I recommend this book to anyone who is up for reading a timeless classic of literature even if they don't agree with Ayn's philosophy.


Mumbai India
Has Potentials to base your life on
Sep 11, 2006 11:09 AM 4688 Views

I read this book in succession to Fountainhead and found it as many times better than it as many more characters there are in this book. It is easily a book that can have one base the life on. Its philosophy, its narration everything surpasses all the realms of thought and storytelling alike. I found too long descriptives boring tho at first read which I later read at leisure during re-reads.


John Galt is love of my life without exaggeration. Intellect is a huge turn on and thats what this man epitomises. While Dagny complements him she also provides a canvas to portray conflicts that the two halves of any mind undergo. She stands for all that he does but to its huge for her to be where he was at the first go. She needed a lot of her own conviction to do so. this in itself proves her to be equally powerful and freewilled which truly is the symbol of woman today. Its not fair though to her to lose objectivity and be gender specific categorising her as a woman as she necessarily appealed more as an individual rather than a woman. But being a woman myself I just couldnt overcome the pride in seeing Dagny evolve through the book. All in all the book is where Ayn Rand's philosophy culminates in a form that any and all of us can relate to. The canvas that she chose for her book being the world at large rather than a particular niche itself widens the scope for it with respect to target audience.


What Moves the world?
Oct 23, 2005 05:02 PM 5634 Views

Hi Folks,


It?s been a long time back I read this book. Today I got time so here I am with my review on Atlas Shrugged.


Ayn's philosophy is called Objectivism and it may not be so true for everyone and actually it can't be applied to all parts of life too.


I consider her as one of the best writers that I have read till date as I had read two of her famous books Atlas Shrugged and Fountainhead.


Her style of writing is simply superb. The way she captures the small think from a big picture and relates everything to it is simply awesome. Actually this book has helped me a lot in changing my perception of things around us.


Coming to Atlas Shrugged as most of the people as I see till date 32 have written about the storyline I wont be going in great details as far as the storyline is concerned.


This is as I had said is a perfect peace of writing. Two main parts of the book are objectivism and romanticism.


Each and every character is presented as its like a leaving book for me its not just a book but when you read it you can feel that.


Dagny Tagart- She is my hero of the whole story. She is the lead protagonist of the whole story.


Francisco D'Anconiao is a big business man who has a different way of doing things then our male protagonist.


John Galt- He is the lead of the story and he is the one of is against the whole illogical world and he is the one is leading the battle against the whole world.


He is the one who is destroying the whole illogical world and Dagny Tagart is the one who is accompanying him in her own way.


Not to forget Hank Rearden a Genius in his own a great businessman.


All the characters are created and linked to each other in such a manner that you never feel that you are reading any other common fiction.


The whole funda behind this great masterpiece is Objectivism. It?s like having a purpose in this life. It?s like having something to live for it?s like having a mission on earth.


In the pursuit of this mission we my see the ill ones the politically correct ones and the so called humanitarians who make people idle and who create the poor and in turn rich become rich and poor become more poor.


I think that the book is a must read for all those people who think that there is some purpose to be achieved in this life.


According to me the best part I enjoy in the books of AYN is her characterization. Which is so strong that after reading many so called classics and best sellers I feel they are just a piece of crack. I wont name of the books that I started having read some great reviews and ended up disappointed like The Alchemist, To kill a mocking bird.


The two books I stated above definitely are good ones but incomparable to this masterpiece.


Another best of part Atlas shrugged is like when u see a character like Dagny Tagart your respect for the women increases. When you see people like Dagny Tagart (Atlas shrugged) or Dominique Francon (Fountainhead) you have a different perspective then the world around us. You can immediately check out the commonality of the things around us and you try to seek the Howard Roark (Fountainhead) or John Galt (Atlas Shrugged) within you.


Again coming back to the book I find the romance between John Galt and Dagny Tagart one of the best I have ever read after the one that is in Fountainhead. It?s not a usual romance or any other story of meetings and having sex. The reason why they are in love is the pinnacle of whole objectivism. After reading characters like Dagny or Dominique you certainly start looking for people like them.


You can feel the whole world around you and you can easily analyze the kind of people you are living with and most importantly you understand the person called 'You'.


I have written very less about the book in the whole review which I feel lack of words when writing about book like this. One thing that I feel is the bad part of the book is its length. Most of the people feel that the John Galt speaking part of the book is the best part of the whole book. But according to me it?s not the best part of the book. A whatever he states is indirectly stated in each words of the whole book.


According to me the best parts are the conversations between Dagny & Hank. Dagny & John and John And Francisco.


As I have stated about objectivism you might feel that it will be all about logic and reason.


But the conversations are so superb that you don?t feel the need of reasons or logic behind the acts of the lead characters. You certainly fall in love with the characters.


If you haven't read this book or Fountainhead then I would suggest you to go with Fountainhead, which is just too fabulous and according to me is simply errorless and fiction at its best.


Kudos to Ayn for such a fabulous piece of work. Hi to Dagny, John Galt & Hank living within us.


Books like this are the reason why I am so much addicted to reading books like this and which has changed lives of many people in this world.


One thing that comes to mind and analyzing the whole objectivism theory is in today's Competitive world one cant live on standards depicted in this book. I would definitely agree with this, as this theory can't be applied to all parts of life, as you are part of a family, which you can't just deprive on the basis of logic. There is also a thing called emotion.


But you can definitely apply this theory to your work life and it can enrich your journey to your destination.


Still after 1 year of finishing this book I feel the change in me and I now see the people with a different perspective.


Regards


Kunal Shah


Cumbersome yet satisfying
Oct 06, 2005 07:16 PM 4847 Views

What happens when the engine of the world stops?


What happens when need is allowed to outweigh rights?


What happens when entrepreneurs, who have for decades been demonized by those who feel exploited, use the same negotiating tool that labor has long used, the strike?


Atlas Shrugged explores these questions, and the ''exploited'' won't like the answers. In this epic novel, the positions of the left are extrapolated to their logical ends, with government codifying the slogan ''From each according to his ability; to each according to his need'' into law.


But in a society where success is punished and need rewarded, what incentive do the producers have to produce? None. The producers of the world, one by one, withhold their ability and retreat to a holographic Atlantis called ''Galt's Gulch.'' The final two holdouts, Hank Rearden and Dagny Taggart, fully engage in the strike just as society completes it's collapse.


It is their journey into acceptance that their work is their own, that merit as a slave to need is a reprehensible concept, that makes up the plot of the book, as much if not more so than the storyline of societal stagnation.


This book is not for summer reading at the beach; it's pretty heavy reading. The writing style is sometimes intentionally cumbersome. I wouldn't suggest this as someone's FIRST novel by this author. For that, I'd suggest The Fountainhead or, for younger readers, Anthem.


But once a reader's intellectual appetite is whetted by either of those books, diving into Atlas can be a thoroughly satisfying read that, if explored with an open mind, will challenge your assumptions about what society says makes a moral economic system.


In a society that rewards failure and punishes success, how can we expect any outcome OTHER than societal failure?


psychedellicMouthShut Verified Member
Bengaluru India
Live Life as It Should Be Lived
Sep 27, 2005 06:37 PM 4816 Views

I have lost track of the number of time I read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. The first time I saw the book was in my cousin's place and I could not read it because I did not have the time or the inclination at that point. (another crucial reason not to read was my cousin simply refused to give it but that's off the record)!!!. I was in engineering College and you know as vast our interests are, reading such a thick book was just not one of them. After I read the ''behind the cover'' theme, my determination sealed the deal not to read it.


Three months later my eyes fell on the book again. It caught my fancy and I just had to read whether hell or high water. Needless to say I pinched it!!! That started my journey into Ayn Rand's philosophies.


The story is based on America of the Early 20th century. The book questions our beliefs, ethics and the subjects of morality. What are these that we speak of? By what standards are people judged? Who are they to judge us and what right do we have to judge others? Is living for oneself egoistic, is our lives meant for others to enjoy? The book has brought out the qualities that a man requires to live. It also shows a stark contrast between the looters who want everything unearned and a person who lives his life on his own competency and expects other competent men to live theirs the same way.


The character of John Galt which has been picturised in the book is a man who loves his life so passionately that he refuses any substitute. He revolts against the world whose moral ethics to help everyone based on their needs and penalties based on abilities starts the destruction of production for the necessity of need. What would happen to this world if the mind was removed? Atlas Shrugged gives a visualisation of this world where men of productive genius remove their mind from the market.


Central Characters like Dagny Taggart, Henry Reardan, Eddie, have been described as heroes of a forgotten age whose moral ethics and will to work far surpasses the imagination of todays' world. Their relentless energy to keep the business as usual no matter what the odds are inspires the readers. One can also find the flaw in the ways of working of the looters and their characters such as Jim Taggart, Wesley Mouch etc are so well created that what you feel for them is pure hatred.


Each character in the book evokes a different response and the book evokes a whirlwind of emotions from the readers. I suggest everyone who wants to know the meaning of his or her own life read this book. Its truly awesome


I finally bought my own book for about Rs. 250 in 1999 and have kept reading it ever since.


Other books to read by the same author are Fountainhead and We the Living . I still have to read The Anthem. Reviews on Fountainhead later.


Lemme know how u found the book. Happy reading folks and to those who found it boring, Well Who is is John Galt?? ;---)


The best book I have read till date
Sep 23, 2005 12:29 AM 4135 Views

Hi Friends,


Warning:


Not recommended for non-adults (physically and emotionally).....


A very heavy and different book to begin with.....


But I recommand a lot of patience to read it full.. and pls pls read it full................


Today I wanted to write abt my most favourite book.... This book I have read abt 5-6 yrs back but its still very fresh with me...


U know I had read We the living, which was the first book I read from Ayn Rand. I was stunned to read this book. Though the ending was very depressing but the book is still in my mind.... particularly when the hero leaves heroine and bads goodbye, the heroine does not even say I have done so much for u.... such a concept of unconditional love, never saying a word abt any sacrifices she made but just say we may meet and if u will still remember me....... I was hooked by the author.


Then I read the fountainhead and from the first page when I read roark naked I was hooked and at the end of the book I felt this is the best book I have ever read. It displayed so many emotions. though I didn't like certain parts like heroine punishing herself etc....but it was amazing experience and I felt no other book will ever match this


but oh, how wrong I was, I got a very heavy, big another book from ayn rand. and that was atlas Shrugged.........


Simply mindblowing........


When I started reading the book I did not want hero to be John Galt......


I wanted heroine to be with her first lover Francisco and then we were introduced to 2nd hero and that is HanK... and I came to love his character also.... and was thinking John should not come


and then finally almost half the book down came the answer to the first line of novel, ''WHO IS JOHN GALT''.........


Then we r introduced to the man who has no guilt and he is JOHN GALT......the person whom u will love the most.... (Though there r times when I liked Francisco and Hank also, may be Francisco more)


The book has the main center character who is very strong Dagny and I loved her also.........


Now that I have read this book even I would like to be like the heroine and am looking for my john galt LOL........


Though this book has lots of characters but these 4 characters are the center stage ones Heroine Dagny, and 3 heros Francisco, Hank Rearden, John Galt in the order. Oh and I also liked another one character Eddie Whillers who was there from beginning to the end of book, the person who had also loved the heroine but was not as strong characters as the 3 heros..Also a weak lady character cheryl Taggart....


Scenes that I liked:


When Hank tells her I know u used past tense meaning our relation is over or something like it.......... so much simplicity in relationships.......


When John tells Francisco and Heroine that she can't live with u as we both love each other and Francisco also understands the emotions..... They were not ready to sacrifice their love for friendship , if they had done that it would have been a lie,...........


Also when John leaves all his world behind just to be with her till she decides to join him even though it was most dangerous thing to do........


Also john tells him that I will simply kill myself rather than being tortured..........


This book has lots of emotions also. It is a very very strong and beautiful book. This is the BEST book I ever read..


Though I am not revealing the plot in this book which is also very rare and justified in the book.


also I recommand that first read Fountainhead and then read this book though there is no connections in stories but some questions r asked in (my interpretation) fountainhead that r answered in 2nd book and may be to a normal reader the concent of selfishness will become to much in atlas shrugged which I loved.


Hope u will enjoy these AYN RAND's Books as much as I enjoy them.............


Awaiting ur comments pls.....


Jacksonville USA
Truth about Atlas
Sep 03, 2005 11:40 PM 4795 Views

I read this book years ago just to read and again recently for an essay contest. I noticed someone calling it ''a near perfect piece of art''. Well, here's the truth. This is a political book and a book the author tries to sell you into her Objectivism philosophy. For the first 100-200 pages, it is a page-turner, but then something goes horribly wrong. The plot becomes secondary to her philosophical ramblings. The protagonists, who insistently object to contradictions, contradict themselves. The author taints the story with her flawed philosophy to the point of a 56 page speech that grates the mind and the senses. Atlas Shrugged has a tone of arrogance and superiority of the likes I have never seen nor read before and it is obvious she wrote without the reader's pleasure in mind.


At the preface of her book (centennial edition) she says that the only philosopher to have affected her philosophy was Aristotle. This is preposterous since it is very obvious she was influenced also by Nietzche (individualistic, there is no God, sacrifice weak for the strong philosophy). She wrote this book in the midst of an affair with Nathaniel Branden which would explain why she justifies in Atlas Shrugged a married man's affair with the heroine. After all, self interest is a major part of her philosophy and affairs are just fine if you value your mistress above base sexual desire. Both Ayn and Nathaniel's spouses knew about the affair (because of the value they placed on each other warranted the affair, their spouses had no choice but to acknowledge and accept it as rational) but neither liked it, and the Brendens eventually divorced after his affair with yet another women. Three of the main characters in Atlas fall in love with the heroine, yet there is no overtly violent competition. Yet if selfishness is a high moral, all three should have been competing for her for their own self interest. This does not happen. Just one of the many contradictions in the story. Sex is almost treated more as a business transaction than a passionate union. The sex scenes, though tame by today's standards, hint at violence and ownership of women. This leads me to believe perhaps Ayn had some deeper issues. She never had children (nor do any of the characters), and I wonder if she would so advocate the ''selfishness is a virtue'' ideal if she had.


Ayn has repeatedly admonished any objections to her philosophy as ''irrational'' and ''evil''. Certainly the ''looter'' characters in her book are evil. She leaves no room for them not to be. The antagonists are unattractive, lazy, and inept in every area of life. The protagonists on the other had are attractive and almost super human and self-made rich (because if you really are a ''thinker'' and ''producer'' you should be able to make yourself wealthy). Everything is either right or wrong, black or white. She does not believe there can be any grey area, but we know many things are not so certain.


The core of her philosophy is this: Reality is an absolute truth and to deny it is irrational and evil. Most at face value would say this statement is true, but there is a problem. Reality is based on a point of reference and perception which are largely trustworthy. What may be reality to one person is changed by another's perception or point of reference. The ''philosophers'' she portrays in Atlas propose that reality does not exist, and of course you would have to disagree. But that does not mean her beliefs are right just because another is wrong. She does not make any distinctions between points of reference. As the founder of Objectivism, she does not consider any other point of view to be valid or worthy of consideration.


So this is the flawed outlook of life that permeates throughout the book. Her voice as author interjects so much that it is practically impossible to enjoy it as simply a novel. She overuses some words (incredulous, belligerent...) to the point of distraction. There are some good quotes and interesting thoughts. The novel had a chance if only she had stayed out of it. If you want to learn Objectivism, then read on. If you want to read a story with a well-structured plot, flowing style, and cohesive thought, then go somewhere else.


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