Atlas Shrugged

[Bookmeister]

I actually read both books (Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged) about once a year. I appreciate the idea that individuals should be responsible for themselves, and that many truly productive people are dragging boatloads of "looters" and "hangers-on" around with them.

My problem, though, is what comes across as Rand's complete lack of honest compassion for those people trapped in the cycles of loss and poverty.

[miztrniceguy]

i have not read either yet, but plan to read Atlas soon, since my wife raves about it and agrees with a lot of what Rand has to say. It will have to wait, as i am currently alternating my reading at home between The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo by B. H. Roberts and recent issues of Business Week. While at work i alternate between Car & Driver and Smart Money.

[miztrniceguy]

My wife just told me she has read , and we have both, as well as Anthem, which she says should be read first.

She describes Anthem as the foundation, Fountainhead as the framework, and Atlas Shrugged as the sheetrock ,paint, windows, etc.

I think i will read Anthem first.

[connerific]

I actually just read Anthem a few nights ago. Easy read. Read it in just one evening. Very well written and interesting. It seems to me that while dismissing the Marxist "We" (which i definitely approve), she takes it to the other/opposite extreme. I'll have to read the other 2 to tell what her philosophy is for sure, though. It almost seems like Nietzsche versus Marx.

[Over43]

Both are good works of literature, The Fountainhead should be read before Atlas Shrugged. As stated above it is a less strenuous introduction to her "evolving" philosophy (Objectivism) at the time.

She gives us the premise as "Man as Hero" (Howard Roark in The Fountainhead and John Galt in Atlas Shrugged), and particularly in Atlas Shrugged that the "masses" will follow a path of self-destruction until that hero (John Galt in this case) rises up and shows them the way to being better. And although Aristotle was her "hero", her Man as Hero premise in Atlas Shrugged, as represented by John Galt, appears to fit more closely (I think) to Plato's "Philosopher King". (Which eventually plays itself out in real life anciently with Alexander and Marcus Aurelius.)

They are both interesting books, and worth the time to get through. I'm a pretty quick reader, but Atlas Shrug usually takes me two months to get through.

O43

[Moksha]

I think that Christian stuff gets in the way of truly appreciating a dog-eat-dog philosophy of life.

[siouxz72]

okay... I'll go with the advise of mztrniceguy's wife and read Anthem first. I guess I should go get a library card this weekend Thank you guys! I'm really excited about reading these books!!

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by siouxz72

okay... I'll go with the advise of mztrniceguy's wife and read Anthem first. I guess I should go get a library card this weekend Thank you guys! I'm really excited about reading these books!!

Hi sweetie,

I have a copy that I could send to you if you'd like. It's really small, so it would be no problem.

Elphie

[siouxz72]

that would be awesome, elphie darling! i love you! did you already know that? hey everyone out there on the world wide interweb...I love elphie! She's on of my best friends forever! And my life is better because she is in it! I just thought ya'll should know!

[Elphaba]

I think Siouxz likes me.

I think Siouxz loves me.

I think Siouxz wants to marry me.

I think I better stop before Siouxz dumps me.

Elphie