How this simplistic pot-boiler every developed the adoration it seems now to have found in certain circles is beyond me. Is just as dated as Valley of the Dolls, but not nearly as engaging. Awful, both politically (can anyone actually consider this as a political ed. book???), and in terms of the writing.

Atlas Shrugged is one of the most polarizing novels I've ever read. Ayn Rand's habit of writing heroes who shine brighter than the sun and villains who slither in the darkest shadows lends an ironic take on the book's reader's views about their political opponents. Of course, such one-dimensional characters can only serve as puppets, at best, for the author's own agenda. Rand puts forward her theory of Objectivism in clear terms in the book - there's a long, too long (around 50 pages, if I remember correctly), monologue in the book in which the protagonist, John Galt, lays down the tenets for all to hear. Objectivism has been soundly and almost unanimously rejected by professional philosophers for decades, but Rand's own cries of persecution regarding this rejection have given her work, in an amusing twist, the "authority" it enjoys. Even to the amateur, the philosophy is laughably bad. Its most basic axiom, that all men are born equal (i.e. that everyone has the same opportunity to advance and prosper), doesn't take into account the inequalities that occur in society (or disregards them), even without discussions of genetics, etc. It is regrettable that this book, with its good and bad in the world split so neatly, is responsible for forming political opinions (and even political policy). I learnt a lot from the book about the political rift in society and the views held by my political opponents. Both segments of the political spectrum value individuality, freedom and liberty, but this book can only burn bridges, not build them. Books like these feed talking heads on TV, feed them soundbites, not wisdom. In my own experience, students and youth enamoured by Rand's philosophy come to see the grey missing in the book and eventually renounce it. But I would certainly recommend it to people developing their political views so that they can judge for themselves and perhaps see the wisdom in finding common ground instead of accepting the toxicity on offer here.

Objectivist Ayn Rand, born Alisa Zinovievna Rosenbaum, died at home on March 6, 1982, of heart failure. She was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in February 2, 1905. Atlas Shrugged is a brilliant, brilliant manifesto on human accomplishment. Yes, it's also about individualism, which is what Human Beings are made of—we are individuals, not masses to be used by some fascist, socialist or communist government, as it happens in the book. Rand fled communism and writes with authority on the subject of government taking over our individualism. You don't need to be a political junkie (as I used to be) to read this book. The movie is an excellent adaptation of this wonderful novel. Long live individualism, accomplishment and freedom. Long live Ayn Rand's ideas—despite the fact that she was not perfect and I disagree with a few of them. (The excellent movie adaptation of Atlas Shrugged, of the same title, had its first part screened Tax Day of 2011; the second part has been schedule to be screened also Tax Day of 2012. Can’t wait to watch it!)

This is a book NOT for the faint of heart. With nearly 1200 pages of text, Ayn Rand espouses her philosophy of objectivism through her characters. I think all young people should read this book in high school. Self-reliance, intelligence/ingenuity, taking responsibility for one's actions... and seeing things for what they truly are (objectively) are all tenets that need to be communicated to our youth. Rand does a good job illustrating why those traits are desirable. She was a bit repetitious with her writing. At many points in the book the same concepts are conveyed OVER and OVER and OVER. Also, her characters go into EXTREMELY LONG monologues. Lastly, the world she describes is a bit "over the top." It is quite unbelievable to think a society could deteriorate to such oblivion through its own stupidity.

megan Johnson

Ayn Rand was a master story teller. One can see her passion of convictions in this novel. I rate this a must read book.

Every sentence and paragraph have been turned into perfection. The story and ideals are a bit overdone, but I've always loved her writing.

I didn't think this book would be as engaging as it was. True, Rand's views are quite extreme but even I couldn't help leaning towards her Objectivism stance. Coming from a person who lived in the Soviet Union, Rand is not a person to be ignored. Really the only people who could dislike this book are those with views on the opposite side of the spectrum. Whether you agree with her or not, this book is worth a read.

Objectivist Ayn Rand, born Alisa Zinovievna Rosenbaum, died at home on March 6, 1982, of heart failure. She was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in February 2, 1905. Atlas Shrugged is a brilliant, brilliant manifesto on human accomplishment. Yes, it's also about individualism, which is what Human Beings are made of—we are individuals, not masses to be used by some fascist, socialist or communist government, as it happens in the book. Rand fled communism and writes with authority on the subject of government taking over our individualism. You don't need to be a political junkie (as I used to be) to read this book. The movie is an excellent adaptation of this wonderful novel. Long live individualism, accomplishment and freedom. Long live Ayn Rand's ideas—despite the fact that she was not perfect and I disagree with a few of them. (The excellent movie adaptation of Atlas Shrugged, of the same title, had its first part screened Tax Day of 2011; the second part has been schedule to be screened also Tax Day of 2012. Can’t wait to watch it!)

Objectivist Ayn Rand, born Alisa Zinovievna Rosenbaum, died at home on March 6, 1982, of heart failure. She was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in February 2, 1905. Atlas Shrugged is a brilliant, brilliant manifesto on human accomplishment. Yes, it's also about individualism, which is what Human Beings are made of—we are individuals, not masses to be used by some fascist, socialist or communist government, as it happens in the book. Rand fled communism and writes with authority on the subject of government taking over our individualism. You don't need to be a political junkie (as I used to be) to read this book. The movie is an excellent adaptation of this wonderful novel. Long live individualism, accomplishment and freedom. Long live Ayn Rand's ideas—despite the fact that she was not perfect and I disagree with a few of them. (The excellent movie adaptation of Atlas Shrugged, of the same title, had its first part screened Tax Day of 2011; the second part has been schedule to be screened also Tax Day of 2012. Can’t wait to watch it!)