Atlas Shrugged

I read Atlas Shrugged to check it off my life list. My left-leaning friends said it was mindless garbage, while my right-leaning friends proclaimed it to be an important political novel. Here's my assessment. Think of Atlas Shrugged as SF written in the 50's like the works of Heinlein, in that you have a moralistic tale populated by idealists fighting bad men. I would also label it apocalyptic, in that we get to watch the disintegration of society, brought on by the evils of a collectivist state run by bureaucrats. Rand's philosophy manifests itself in the minds and speeches of the heroes - the industrialists. This is a work of fiction, that tries to relay caution and hope. Caution is centered on the pitfalls of socialistic policies that penalize ideas and productivity; while hope is the innovation and benefits that market forces deliver. Its a captivating story, with even some sexual tension. My biggest complaint is the length and redundancy. The real world is much more complicated.

Most influential book I’ve ever read.

Wonderful! A book of adventure, drama, romance, and philosophy.

Atlas Shrugged kept my mind turning. A book that really seems to fit our times.

I know he is a popular reader, but he simply is not one of my favorites--particularly how he does women's voices. And a woman's voice is critical to this book. That was a problem for me.

This was my second book by Ayn Rand, fascinating, amazing command of language, incredible story. Having grown up in form Czechoslovakia this was partly a flash back in to the past. A must read for everybody above 16. I wish I was introduced to her work earlier. The only reason not to give it 5 stars is the length, in some parts it goes unnecessary it to long monologues repeating the same message in different forms. Otherwise Ayn Rand - what a brilliant woman. Please do read The Fountainhead if you didn’t do so already. Also the narration was incredible. I also downloaded about version but this narration was far superior.

One of the most influential books of all time. A must listen/read.

this book is wonderful. I have read it several times and was unsure because this was my first audio book. I would definitely recommend it.

LONG WINDED AND PHILISOPHICALLY sophomoric. Characters are extremely boring, This book is a never-ending sermon from a windbag of a pastor, and totally overrated.

Excellent book especially for listening (long) great story and very insightful. Ayn Rand story will provide you some thought on the direction of the world and politics today even though it was published in the early 50's. Too bad the recording had a slight squeak in the background most of the time and jumbled at times - was the poorest recording I've had.

Invaluable, indispensable. Well done narration. Love it and believe it's value is lost on far too many.

Hard to distinguish which character is speaking. Couldn't complete the book

Fantastic read, and beautifully narrated. A wonderful novel would recommend to most as long as you don't mind 62 hours of outstanding plot and characters.

A friend of mine who used to be my teacher in middle school told me about this book. I bought a copy of it at a bookstore and I was hooked. I read the paperback a few times then went to audiobook so I can listen while I'm at work. My left minded friends say it's gibberish while my right minded friends proclaim it's importance. It absolutely changed my life. I love this book.

I am on a mission to read the Classics that I never got to while in school. I will confess that I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. I loved the strong female character and the interesting perspective on what makes this country successful. Four stars instead of five only because the book is a bit over-descriptive at times.

Save your money. As a card carrying Libertarian I was primed to enjoy this book. Regrettably, not so. Ayn Rand is unable to apply just one well chosen simile or metaphor to a situation but must spew an entire catalog. So many extra words add nothing to the description and distract from the story line. Scott Brick slurs over or swallows between five and ten percent of the words. He does female voices not by raising pitch but by lowering volume. About half the lines of the principal character are lost. The book could be improved by careful cutting of 30%. The narrator omits to speak a random 10% of the text. I was ready to like this book. Saved two month's credits for the download. Listened to most of the first chapter, spotted through the next two, and gave up. Ayn Rand may have good ideas, but she cannot express them well. Brick's narration is a constant frustration. I have better things to do with 62 hours.

I first read this about 15 years ago and just loved how unique it was. Listening to it this time is great but someone pointed out to me that it's the Tea Party's bible. I have mixed feelings about that. I love the story but does that mean I'm a TP supporter? NO! The book is incredibly long but I really have enjoyed it again. The "John Galt speech" on CDs 45-46 had me zoning out in the car a bit, though. I thought the narrator did a good job but agree with the previous reviewer that his version of a woman's voice didn't quite work. This book is good enough to warrant using multiple narrators.