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.

a very long long story but w/memorable characters

I did struggle with the length of some of the long speeches and story building but ultimately it was an epic tale of man and his struggles with power and money. Dagney rocks!

Possibly one of the most important books

Rand produces true education through an entertaining story. The narration of the audio book was done unbelievably well a 10 for 10.

She talks too much))

Great book, especially pertinent to our time and I think more people should read it! However I feel like it was unnecessarily long and that is one of the factors that will keep it from being discovered by the unwashed masses

Classic for a reason

Sure, it's a behemoth but it's also an epic story. The Audible version makes it manageable and enjoyable.

I loved this book for ME!

I was unsure what this book was about when I began reading it. I had heard it mentioned in the past and always thought it might be good to understand what people were talking about.

I was shocked to see concepts within the book that I had long left behind because so many people had told me that my ideas were wrong. For me the idea that there is no such thing as a selfless act was the most profound. As a child I remember thinking this while being taught that it was evil to be selfish. This book validated my beliefs and allowed me to see that I am not alone in this world. I always contended that selfishness is not the evil, but rather how we treat each other that can be evil. Once you realize the and understand the idea that everything and everyone holds a potential personal benefit, then the world becomes much clearer. To deny this simple truth, is to lie to yourself. I know it goes against what we were all taught but it is true. We all need to think, really think about what we believe and why we believe it. This book is all about unleashing the thinker in us all and it moves you to believe in what is.

I am not a head of industry or even a business owner. I have no great scheme to ride the backs of the people until they drop and then grind them under my heartless oppressive heal. I work every day doing the best I can. I fight the urge to let the apathy created by so many lazy people who are allowed to continue in their laziness due to other lazy cogs in the machine. My job is a mission, a personal one. Much like golf, I don't measure myself against others but against myself. I strive to think and live. This book is a breath of fresh air and it will inspire you if you will open your mind and challenge your beliefs.

I loved this book for many reasons, but I also think there are some tough spots. Spots that really require us to think. Contrast this book to "The Grapes of Wrath", how would Rand solve the problems that Steinbeck introduces. Neither really proposed a solution. But in the real world, the solution to Joad's problems came from what Rand called prime movers. Rand did not elevate only the leaders of industry, she simply elevated man. She pronounced that man was great and not weak. If man is to shine, to be a "prime mover" they must first believe in themselves, first and foremost.

Too often we teach our children conflicting beliefs. We teach that selfishness in to be uprooted and in the same breath, we tell them to believe in themselves to build their self esteem. These two views are conflicting. It is only by the use of objective thought that we can begin to truly understand the world, others, and ourselves.

I think the best honor I can give to this book it to say that I loved this book for ME and what it has helped ME to see and to become.

One of the best books I've ever read

The infamous and inspirational "Atlas Shrugged". I've been meaning to read it for years. I wish I would've long ago. Aloha!

This book changed my life.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book changed my perspective on so many things. For me it was not so much political, but an internal change. There are things I thought and felt my entire life, that I could not quite name, and that I allowed other people to make me doubt. And Ayn Rand described these things so clearly, beautifully and honestly. After reading this book, I will no longer doubt myself or what I know to be the truth. I will no longer allow others to manipulate and con-volute the truth. And most of all I will no longer feel that I need to downplay who I am or my abilities, and I will no longer put others needs in front of my own, (something I always used to do and misguidedly felt was the most admirable quality.) This book completely opened up my eyes, and I am a stronger, happier, more confident person for it.

I wasn't sure about the narration at first, but it really grew on me and I think it fit the story. I am now obsessed with Ayn Rand and her philosophies. I wish I would have read this when I was a lot younger, I think everyone should be forced to read or listen to this in high school, especially in this age where most young adults seem to not want to actually "work" for anything. If only they would all get it, its such a great lesson that once you understand I think sticks with you the rest of your life.

I have to say you have to have patience when reading or listening this book. Not just because of the length, but Ayn Rand tends to spend a lot of time building characters and the basis of the story, which adds a lot of layers and depth to both. This is something I personally love and appreciate. Just know that while it make take some time for the plot to really escalate, it is absolutely worth it.

A Must for those with a mind

More relevant than the Bible. More important than the Constitution. Better written than either one.

What a book. As relevant today as it was then

Hands down one of the best books and performances I've experienced. It makes you think about what is happening around you and question your stances on issues. While at the same time taking you on a great ride and having many believable and complex characters.

The best book.

I cannot count how many times I have listened to this book. Scott Brick is amazing.