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Atlas Shrugged

Ayn Rand

Start date: July 1, 2018

Finish date: July 31, 2018

Discussion: Atlas Shrugged - July-Sept 2018

Why we're reading this: July-September 2018 Completest Big Read
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Atlas Shrugged - July-Sept 2018

Atlas Shrugged - General Discussion
By Matthew , Assistant List Master · 10 posts · 46 views

last updated Oct 01, 2018 08:19AM

Atlas Shrugged - Part 2 - Either-Or
By Matthew , Assistant List Master · 7 posts · 16 views

last updated Aug 20, 2018 09:47PM

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What Members Thought

Feb 05, 2019 MK rated it it was amazing

I read this book 5 times, twice in high school in the 80s. I wrote my college application essay on this book. I loved this book. I wore it out, and bought another copy during my college years. I read all of Ayn Rand's books, after reading this book. I kept reading it, because I couldn't make it through John Galt's soliloquy in one go without falling alseep. At first, I couldn't make it through Francisco's, either. I finally got that one, never managed Galt's all in one go, even though I read the I read this book 5 times, twice in high school in the 80s. I wrote my college application essay on this book. I loved this book. I wore it out, and bought another copy during my college years. I read all of Ayn Rand's books, after reading this book. I kept reading it, because I couldn't make it through John Galt's soliloquy in one go without falling alseep. At first, I couldn't make it through Francisco's, either. I finally got that one, never managed Galt's all in one go, even though I read the book five times.

I think the appeal of this book, then, was, this was the first challenge to communism that I read, or heard, attacking communism for what it was, not the usual that you heard "It's a good idea, in theory 'from each according to his ability, to each according to his need' ". It came right at the root of it, saying the philosophy was an anathema to what it was to be human. Necessity is the mother of invention, and all that jazz. If all your needs are satisfied, will you strive?

But, I knew Rand's philosophy was wrong, too. I just kept reading it, like I said, trying to make it through Galt's thing, all in one go. It goes on and on and on and on ...

Looking back, I know what's wrong. Yes, she's right, if all your needs are satisfied, humanity will stagnate. Humans need challenge, yin and yang, difficulties and easiness. But she is oh so wrong, humanity also thrives in cooperation. To be successful, as a species, a nation, a society, a village, a tribe, whatever, cooperation is a necessary ingredient. Sometimes it IS better to subsume the needs of one to the needs of all. Definitely not always. But her way is the wrong way.

My older sister, who was beginning college when I was beginning high school gave it to me to read. She was so alarmed at how much I liked this book, that she gave me 'the other side' of the philosophy to read, too (lol), it was Walden Two, by B.F. Skinner. I didn't like this book as well as Rand's.

I haven't read any of Rands books since my twenties, I moved on past her, I knew she didn't have the answers, although to this day, I still have to say I loved each one of her books. I haven't read that many Russian authors, but I sort of dig the whole Russian way of writing. Maybe that's what I liked, too.

Anyway, this bookcover is not the one I read, either time (I owned and used up, two copies). Someday I'll look for it, but there're too many editions to scroll through now. ...more

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Sep 18, 2019 Jess Penhallow rated it it was ok

Shelves: usa

Well its finally over and I'm pleased to say that this book did not make me a Tory!

It is hard to rate because there were moments of great storytelling and suspense but these were interespersed with a lot of naval gazing and repetition padding it out. Add to that the confusing names that were hard to remember: Ragnar Danneskjöld, Wesley Mouch, Bertrum Scudder, Cuffey Meigs (I had to look these up because nobody has a normal name in this book) and I found my mind wondering and myself losing track ...more

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Sep 15, 2016 Carol rated it really liked it

Read this in 1969 or 1970 at the behest of my boyfriend, and really enjoyed the concept of a meritocracy. Of course, that was back when I thought I had merit. I doubt very much if I would have the same reaction if I read it today. I also liked that Dagny Taggart was portrayed as equal to, if not better than, the men in every way.

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