About this title: Rand's 1200-page novel is a hymn of praise to the concept of rugged individualism, personified in John Galt. This polemic for Rand's philosophy of "rational self-interest" has been a steady seller since it was published in 1957.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: The New American Library, New York
Date Published: 1959
Description: Fair. No dust jacket. Cover is torn but otherwise intact. No pages missing. 1084 p.; 18 cm. Signet; Q1702.. "A Signet book. The astounding story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the word-and did". The author promoted the philosohy of Objectivism The fundamentals of her philosophy are set forth in her novels. She also wrote The Fountainhead which was made into a movie with Gary Cooper. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Signet
Date Published: 1959-07-01
ISBN-13:9780451075710ISBN:0451075714
Description: Fair. Spine creased. Cover edge worn, creased and stained and corner chipped. Pages top corner bumped. Text unmarked but pages tan. *Ships Next Business day* read more
Description: Very Good. 0451191145 Mass Market Paperback, 1957, Condition: Very Good; this book is in very good condition with light discoloration due to aging and other light wear. read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Signet
Date Published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780451191144ISBN:0451191145
Description: New. Items ship once payments have cleared. Media mail 5-8 days Priority 2-3 days and international orders may be subject to customs clearance procedures which can cause delays. Seasonal delays can occur in postal system. All items ship within 24 hours of receiving payment. read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Signet
Date Published: 1996-09-01
ISBN-13:9780451191144ISBN:0451191145
Description: New. Slight wear from handling; Expedited shipping is not available for this item; ** Free USPS tracking and confirm on US orders ** read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Signet
Date Published: 1996-09-01
ISBN-13:9780451191144ISBN:0451191145
Description: New. Slight wear from handling; Expedited shipping is not available for this item; ** Free USPS tracking and confirm on US orders ** read more
Edition: Thirty-eighth Printing
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Signet Books, New York, NY, USA
Date Published: 1957
ISBN-13:9780451116765ISBN:0451116763
Description: Good- Brief summary of content available upon request by e-mail. read more
Edition: 35th Anniversary ed.
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Signet Book
Date Published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780451191144ISBN:0451191145
Description: New. No dust jacket as issued. bright shiny brand new condition. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 1075 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
"I was amazed at how applicable the principles in this book are for today! While I disagreed with some of the detailed "philosophy" included in the book, the description of the problems of society and government today were eerily accurate. And the results and consequences of that idea of society and government are frighteningly accurate. Amazing that this was written so long ago, and is so current for today!"
"This book was written 50+ years ago. It's amazing how it parallels our current political schema. It sort of freaks me out at times. I'm glad I read this at the age of 46. I don't think I would of have appreciated the heart and soul that Ayn Rand dedicated to the writing.
Enjoy!! Definitely read it if you're an AVID reader. If you don't absolutely love reading, you will probably never get through the 1200+ pages."
"This book will give you perspective on why we are seeing today the enervation of our society and the sacrificing of those who contribute the most to make it flourish. Atlas Shrugged is a novel that presents with precision the events of today by someone who predicted our current malaise over 50 years ago. There are ideas that lead to desired conclusions and those that don't. Some people really do understand and appreciate cause and effect. And Ayn Rand was one of them.
One of the essential differences between those who like this book and those who don't is their ability or inability to check their premises. I mean this in the same sense that Rand herself used this expression often.
If you are having trouble with the concretes and abstractions presented in this novel, the key thing to remember is that, unlike most writers, Rand evolved her plots and characters from her basic premises. Her novels are a full system of thought, from epistemology to esthetics presented in a fictional form. Her unique style was to weave an internally consistent philosophical position into the concrete events, speeches and dramatic intrigue of her story.
Some have criticized Rand for any number of stylistic, moral and esthetic gaffs. Whatever their seeming merit, they have missed the forest entirely. The projection of what is possible in life and the values and principals needed to get there are a far more beneficent gift than any the supposed shortcomings could provide.
Those who have problems with the depictions of this philosophy will have considerably less trouble identifying the points of their departure than with nearly any novel they have ever read. Rand is a paragon in her ability to present her case clearly. What is left to her readers who have any trouble with this is the challenge to check their premises. As an example of this the most fundamental of these choices would be the distinction between the primacy of consciousness and the primacy of existence. Which side of your skull is the universe on?
If you are willing to examine any of your own premises, you will have no problem discovering your point of divergence from hers. How many writers can you think of who can give you that kind of clarity? If you're only willing to meet her half way.
"Torturous and plodding. An interesting and admirable premise, but much too long. It is difficult to identify with the characters; they seem lacking in simple human feeling and somewhat obsessed with their own importance. For me, good fiction needs to present characters (or a character) with whom one can identify and a plot that holds interest and promise for the reader. This work has neither."
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