Let me be clear: While I have read "Atlas Shrugged" probably 5 times, I have never heard it on C.D. Ayn Rand was a philosopher as much as a novelist, and in the book she brillantly brings to life the contrast between differing character traits which Aristotle discussed rather dryly in his "Nicomechean Ethics." Miss Rand truly loved truth, justice and the American way, though she was born and raised in Russia. She also understood it better than many if not most Americans. I write this review merely to warn the listener of a c.d. that it is inconceivable that a 10-hour disk set can contain even a small percentage of her most insightful and fundamental concepts. Character John Galt's radio speech near the novel's end itself is 60 pages long, explaining the relationship between the far-seeing producer and a mere user of goods, and expresses an objective thinker's dissection of familiar religious concepts. For those who rely on faith, her dissection will be useless, and is definitely heresy. For those who embrace socialism and its sister communism, her words are the death knell. However, if all you want is entertained, 10-plus hours of "Atlas Shrugged" should do it. The story is truly fresh and original. As far as the novel itself and the story, Miss Rand persisted in her theme of individuality as illustrated in her earlier works, "The Fountainhead," and "We The Living." While I find her philosophy priceless, as I have aged I have found that there is one serious area which she does not address at all, and was rarely a high priority for her: children. She had no children, and in her books, her characters mostly remain childless. This certainly enlarges their sphere of freedom to act. And they remain childless despite acts of intercourse before birth control was a widely used practice. This in and of itself has troubling ramifications that despite her prescience she did not anticipate. Many people grumble about her writing style but that is like someone who drives a Ferrari Testarossa and while driving 220 mph, grumbles about the car's color. The woman absolutely does not let the guilty off the hook. Her intransigence in identifying those who harm and take advantage of others' of good will in a vast variety of ways without gratitude, acknowledgment, or repayment makes this a compelling moral tale which clearly illustrates why justice is not merely a moral commandment, but a moral imperative. I have read many philosophers; she stands head and shoulders above them all. Reading her book I believe entitled "Objectivist Epistemology" deals far better with the basics of how we understand what we know, and in contrast to Emmanual Kant's cant and Plato's "forms," when you finish reading her, you have actually learned something useful, not merely something to impress your friends with as being esoteric. Her books of her essay collections also deal with many specific topics with laser-precision and cleanliness. That woman can untie a can of worms more cleanly and quickly than anyone else I have ever read. The essays are a pleasure to read and introduce many exciting concepts in and of themselves. "You have seen the Atlantis they were seeking, it is here, it exists -- but one must enter it naked and alone, with no rags from the falsehoods of centuries, with the purest clarity of mind -- not an innocent heart, but that which is much rarer: an intransigent mind -- as one's only possession and key."Read full review
This is a great book. It is a great way to assimilate the important topics covered in Ayn Rand's book. The quality of reading keeps your interest. It is well done. Ms. Rand offers important insight into the world of socialism, business, and corruption. It is a novel and follows an intricate story line. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the current economic and political situation currently found in the United States. It is entertaining, thought provoking, contains love stories, challenges, and everything you want in a good book. It is well worth the money required to own it.
I bought this audiobook on the recommendation of some of my friends, and after having listened to it several times, I still find that I could listen to it again and enjoy it as much as the first time. It is a novel, not a documentary or historical book, but it is almost prophetic in its story line. It is my understanding that Ms. Rand came here from the Soviet Union to escape the socialistic policies in that part of the world, only to see the handwriting on the wall that our own United States was moving right into the same kind of culture. It is brilliantly written, and Edward Herrmann is masterful in his narration of the book. In my opinion, the book should be required reading in every school system in our country. I rate the book among the very best that I have ever read (or,in this case, listened to).Read full review
There are many things I loved about this book and many things that make me wonder about this poor woman's moral structure. Politically, she is beyond conservative. I happen to like that. She makes enemies out of some of the things that I despise, communism, socialism etc. Morally,though, she goes so far that she unashamedly embraces not rugged individualism, but extreme and bold selfishness. While that may be a shallow view, having listened to the book (abridged) and not read it, I found the book to be one without any real heroes. This is because to sacrifice for another is where true life can be found. This is the essence of love. The world that Ms. Rand espoused is a world without real love, and that is not life.
Audio books are wonderful for my 86 years young mother-in-law who has macular degeneration and can no longer enjoy reading. Atlas Shrugged is a classic with a great message for us all.
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