Atlas Shrugged in Around the World in 80 Books

Aug 02, 2016 Amar Patel rated it it was amazing

This gigantic novel was recommended by a very young but incredibly successful friend of mine to accompany me on my travels in Vietnam. It has had such a profound effect on my psychological belief system, such that it has positively improved the methods in which I can handle life's difficult situations and to approach drastically difficult problems where I may have little control over. By putting characters in seemingly impossible situations, I understood how to skilfully handle irrational human This gigantic novel was recommended by a very young but incredibly successful friend of mine to accompany me on my travels in Vietnam. It has had such a profound effect on my psychological belief system, such that it has positively improved the methods in which I can handle life's difficult situations and to approach drastically difficult problems where I may have little control over. By putting characters in seemingly impossible situations, I understood how to skilfully handle irrational human mentality driven by greed, control and shortcuts. It has provided me with a unique way to think objectively without emotion, to think rationally through the many steps that may play out within other human minds, about how deep rooted & self-sabotaging behaviours from others can be spotted in various ways and how to motivate others (and myself) to a productive life style, with the ultimate goal of happiness by way of developing a purpose. My friend told me that Rand has been a big influence in his life, and I totally understand why!

The timing of this book could not have been better in my life - for example, one of the main themes in the book is money, where my relationship has become alien in the recent past, believing it to be 'the root of all evil', and how it motivates greed in oneself and goes against spirituality, by motivating materialism. Whilst true, one of the great speeches of the book (which I have reread three times in the past week) has shattered this belief of mine, allowing me to look at money and greed independently, how to enjoy the successes of honest and hard work to improve society and the life of others, but also how karma can destroy wealth when one uses power, 'white' theft and cynical motives to benefit from others, by looting the product of their minds. Of course luck plays a large role in the goal of wealth, but what use is there in wasting valuable emotional capital in dealing with luck? Like the major characters so well depicted, why not use the gift and power of consciousness to think outside the box? There are a whole of host of beliefs which are broken down, observed in multiple dimensions, through the eyes of various characters and there is just so much to think about.

I thought I'd write a review which has nothing to do about the plot of the book, but instead about the interesting ways that it has developed my life philosophy - what better endorsement can there be for a fictional book than this?! This is no self help book, it is a dark, philosophical and psychological thriller, with unexpected twists, the boldest of maneuvers akin to a game of chess, played out through the minds of the most memorable & intelligent characters; all accomplished masterfully as Rand delves into the deepest recesses of their thoughts to explain the seemingly inexplicable motivations of human behaviour. It was such an enjoyable book, taking you through a whole range of emotions - As you may tell, I cannot recommend this highly enough; stick with it, understand it, pay attention, and you will thank Rand later. ...more

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Aug 22, 2009 Doug rated it really liked it

This is a great novel that discusses the problems with too much government. The main issue I had w/ this book was too many chapters on love affairs. There were some great political speeches in this book.

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Jul 10, 2008 Chris Hammer added it

This book offers another perspective (different from mine!) on capitalism. I'm not an Ayn Rand fan but some of views on individualisty/individualism I think are so. ...more

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