Title: Atlas Shrugged
Author: Ayn Rand
Rating: *****
Quick Overview: The plot is framed as a mystery story, but with strong elements of romance and science fiction (??? really, science fiction??? I must have missed that part??? This obviously is a review I found online, I'm no good at writing them!), as well as Rand's trademark philosophical ideas. There are actually two mysteries: one about why so many of the world's most productive minds are disappearing, the other about who invented a revolutionary new kind of motor. As you might guess, the solutions to the two mysteries are closely related. Readers follow the struggles of Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel magnate, as they attempt to answer both of these questions and stave off the collapse of an increasingly irrational and collectivist society.
My Thoughts: Wow, I have so many I don't know where to begin... First I will say, I had not heard of this book until it was recommended to me by a fellow business owner who is on the NFIB leadership committee with me. I respect her oppinion (she used to be Washington's NFIB President, how could I not???) so I committed myself to reading the book. She had raved over it, so even though the plot didn't draw me in, it couldn't be that bad, right? When I finally got it, the whole 1069 pages of it were a bit overwhelming, but I was up for a challenge and I'm ALWAYS up for learning. Challenging was it, and learn did I???? Holy smokes. The book was amazing. It was "slightly" above my reading level, which is good right? Isn't that how you grow? Even though it wasn't my typical kind of book, the way it was written allowed me to dive right in and be hooked on it from the beginning. Not only is there a story to follow, there is a philosophical understanding of the economy being taught at the same time (which of course is what had me drawn in, and most people I would imagine). The book was written in the 1950's I believe, I should look it up, but each time I let my mind go somewhere else, I have to completely reorganize my thoughts! I'm guessing when this book was written, there were many people who probably thought Ayn Rand was extremely "far out" for writing the things she wrote. The basics of the book are how far the government will go in order for things to be "fair" for all, and to compare that to where we are 50 years later was actually sad to me. So many of her hypothetical situations were practically happening as I read the book! The government owning car dealerships, bailing out banks, caps on pay, it's all so relevant to what this book is about. So, obviously, I am a fan, and here's my overall thoughts: I used to be somewhat into the idea of government playing referee and keeping things fair... but this book has completely renewed my oppinions! In NO situation are things better off when the government has a hold on them and if we want to see a booming economy in America again, our only option is to let the free market do what it does best. Yay for this book because I feel like I could hold my own in a debate on the economy now!
Rating: *****
Quick Overview: The plot is framed as a mystery story, but with strong elements of romance and science fiction (??? really, science fiction??? I must have missed that part??? This obviously is a review I found online, I'm no good at writing them!), as well as Rand's trademark philosophical ideas. There are actually two mysteries: one about why so many of the world's most productive minds are disappearing, the other about who invented a revolutionary new kind of motor. As you might guess, the solutions to the two mysteries are closely related. Readers follow the struggles of Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel magnate, as they attempt to answer both of these questions and stave off the collapse of an increasingly irrational and collectivist society.
My Thoughts: Wow, I have so many I don't know where to begin... First I will say, I had not heard of this book until it was recommended to me by a fellow business owner who is on the NFIB leadership committee with me. I respect her oppinion (she used to be Washington's NFIB President, how could I not???) so I committed myself to reading the book. She had raved over it, so even though the plot didn't draw me in, it couldn't be that bad, right? When I finally got it, the whole 1069 pages of it were a bit overwhelming, but I was up for a challenge and I'm ALWAYS up for learning. Challenging was it, and learn did I???? Holy smokes. The book was amazing. It was "slightly" above my reading level, which is good right? Isn't that how you grow? Even though it wasn't my typical kind of book, the way it was written allowed me to dive right in and be hooked on it from the beginning. Not only is there a story to follow, there is a philosophical understanding of the economy being taught at the same time (which of course is what had me drawn in, and most people I would imagine). The book was written in the 1950's I believe, I should look it up, but each time I let my mind go somewhere else, I have to completely reorganize my thoughts! I'm guessing when this book was written, there were many people who probably thought Ayn Rand was extremely "far out" for writing the things she wrote. The basics of the book are how far the government will go in order for things to be "fair" for all, and to compare that to where we are 50 years later was actually sad to me. So many of her hypothetical situations were practically happening as I read the book! The government owning car dealerships, bailing out banks, caps on pay, it's all so relevant to what this book is about. So, obviously, I am a fan, and here's my overall thoughts: I used to be somewhat into the idea of government playing referee and keeping things fair... but this book has completely renewed my oppinions! In NO situation are things better off when the government has a hold on them and if we want to see a booming economy in America again, our only option is to let the free market do what it does best. Yay for this book because I feel like I could hold my own in a debate on the economy now!
1 comment:
wow. i almost want to read it now! thanks!!
Post a Comment