Atlas Shrugged

By: Ayn Rand

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 62 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Peopled by larger-than-life heroes and villains, charged with towering questions of good and evil, Atlas Shrugged is Ayn Rand’s magnum opus: a philosophical revolution told in the form of an action thriller—nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.

Atlas Shrugged is the "second most influential book for Americans today" after the Bible, according to a joint survey of five thousand people conducted by the Library of Congress and the Book of the Month Club in 1991.

In a scrap heap within an abandoned factory, the greatest invention in history lies dormant and unused. By what fatal error of judgment has its value gone unrecognized, its brilliant inventor punished rather than rewarded for his efforts?

This is the story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world—and did. In defense of those greatest of human qualities that have made civilization possible, he sets out to show what would happen to the world if all the heroes of innovation and industry went on strike. Is he a destroyer or a liberator? Why does he have to fight his battle not against his enemies but against those who need him most? Why does he fight his hardest battle against the woman he loves? The answers will be revealed once you discover the reason behind the baffling events that wreak havoc on the lives of the amazing men and women in this remarkable book.

Tremendous in scope and breathtaking in its suspense, Atlas Shrugged is Ayn Rand's magnum opus, which launched an ideology and a movement. With the publication of this work in 1957, Rand gained an instant following and became a phenomenon. Atlas Shrugged emerged as a premier moral apologia for capitalism, a defense that had an electrifying effect on millions of readers (and now listeners) who had never heard capitalism defended in other than technical terms.

©1985 Eugene Winick, Paul Gitlin and Leonard Peikoff (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Listening is better than reading

The book is long - the descriptive passages are detailed to the 10th power. You can close your eyes and see the images - however, I know much more about railroads than I ever wanted to know.

The real story is NOT lost which is why this is a great book and the writer a bit of a prophet.

It gives you a glimps into the mind of true believers of many stripes. The power hungry,the ruthless and the victims of those archtypes.

The narrator is a bit heavy handed with his resonance and influctions - sort of critiques with his voice.

All in all, a good 'listen'

Very interesting story

I thought that this was a very good book, however I got a bit tired near the end. I think the ~3.5 hour speech may have been my tipping point.

However, I must say that since I have finished the book I can't help but use its ideas in my day-to-day life. It has definitely affected my outlook on economy and politics. Very influential!

Long but it can change your thinking

This book really made me think. Although there are things I really disagree with (like just because people are related to or in some tertiary way support the "looters" they deserve to die) there are many more that I agree with. I you follow current politics, there are many things that sound very familiar and hit a little to close to home. If you don't have over 40hrs to listen maybe try the abridged version.

A timeless classic & must 'read'

Would you consider the audio edition of Atlas Shrugged to be better than the print version?

This version is unabridged so it should be the same. It is too long to compare the two. But the best part of listening to this is that you are more likely to finish it.

What did you like best about this story?

If you saw Atlas, the giant who holds the world on his shoulders, if you saw that he stood, blood running down his chest, his knees buckling, his arms trembling but still trying to hold the world aloft with the last of his strength, and the greater the effort the heavier the world bore down upon his shoulders -- what would you tell him to do? I don't know. What could he do? What would you tell him? To shrug.

What three words best describe Scott Brick’s voice?

modulated, silvery, thoughtful

Who was the most memorable character of Atlas Shrugged and why?

Dagny Taggart - she is the protagonist of course but also her struggle to understand her life, her career she loves so much and her moral code vs those who wish to destroy everything she values.

Any additional comments?

I suggest after getting thru part 1 to put the book on 1 1/2x speed. 1) b/c you might never finish & 2) b/c the narrator does speak relatively slow so it just moves the story along a bit faster.

Excellent!

The classic work by Ayn Rand is an extensive study in character development and the human psyche. The insight into the philosophy of how humans behave is unnerving at times. In-depth character composition and background could yield three or four novels on their own. A great read, but read The Fountainhead first. Atlas Shrugged is meant to complement some of the philosophical questions presented in The Fountainhead.

Phenomenal audiobook.

She created these characters and the narrator brought them to life. Her fictional books blow me away, but I do have to give credit to the narrator. What an excellent read. Outstanding!

as good as it gets

Thank you Scott Brick and the incredible Ayn Rand. Incredible character development, philosophy, eroticism, and pacing. Scott Brick is the perfect reader for this wonderful experience. The book is very long, but I have resumed listening at random chapters, and each stands on its own! Choose this one with confidence.

If only I had read it 20 years ago...

I love audiobooks because it helps me "read" many more books than I could in the traditional method. Scott Brick is excellent in his character development as a narrator and if you enjoy a good SciFi book you should listen to him in "The Passage." It took me a little while to warm up to this book. Once I realized the messages developing within it there was nothing that could tear me away from it. I truly wish I had read this book 20 years ago as a younger man. I am a successful physician, business owner, artist, entrepreneur, husband and father. So many times in my life of self made success I have felt guilty for succeeding when those around me failed. Not through any cheating or advantage other than my own skill came my successes but I was still "made" to feel guilty for what I had accomplished. Deep down inside I have always felt this was unfair. This book helped me understand why those feelings were true. Rand's insights into human nature are so accurate that they transcend time. Once you grasp her ideas of human motivation for success as a creator or a taker you too will see my elation at her work. THIS should have been my high school required reading instead of Dickens crap about a thief's beneficiary! Rand has changed my life as a successful, educated man of 41. I hope I live long enough to truly appreciate what she has taught me.

This book should be mandatory

Would you listen to Atlas Shrugged again? Why?

Yes, it is not only a great story but read like it is rip from today's headlines

What other book might you compare Atlas Shrugged to and why?

There is not really any other book like this one

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, this book will help you define what type of person you are in life.

Any additional comments?

Should be taught in every school.

Life Changing...

By far, this is one of the best books I've ever read and the power it has to change human behavior is impressive.