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.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS EVER WRITTEN

Have read this book many times over the years - if you truly understand it, it's not a bunch of rich industrialists being selfish; instead, it's the story of those who are truly creative and make their dreams actually happen by inventions of products, methods, etc., and love their life's work vs. those who prefer to do nothing and live off the efforts of others.

These business owners, through their inventions and their own hard work, happily provide jobs for others and take good care of their employees who have the same love of their occupations.

Re-reading this book always reinforces my own outlook on life: independence, reliance on my judgment and not being afraid to be unique in my approach if it makes sense to me.

Scott Brick has always been a favorite reader - he does a great job on this book, which demands his immersion in the book. He delivers.

Required Reading for Elected Officials

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No - I LOVED this book and in spite of it's considerable length I wished it would go on even longer. I had always thought this was a work I "should"read and the audio version appealed to me because I don't often get time to just sit and read. This might be my favortie book of all time.

Romance, mystery, drama, outstanding character development - I was hooked in the first half hour.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Atlas Shrugged?

Dagny's decision to follow the plane

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The slight differences in tone and voice quality helped me "see" who was speaking.

Did Atlas Shrugged inspire you to do anything?

It made me think more about government programs and pork filled bills. Personal responsibility and good decision making are not hallmarks of our government. I'm not ready for survivalist camps, but if you choose to take risks, then be prepared to live with the consequences and be happy when you reap the rewards.

Any additional comments?

While I am a fiscal moderate and see a place for government in our lives, this book should be required reading for anyone serving in our government. Written more than 50 years ago, the themes in the story are being played out today as we continue to see nanny government take over personal responsibilities.As our government "leaders" are continuing to redistribute wealth in the name of the "public" it's time to consider the long-term disinsentive that redistribution has on all members of our nation.

Not a fan of Scott Brick

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

Interesting book; makes you look at things a little differently. I feel like the anti-Rand characters in this book were so ridiculously left-wing that they were completely unbelievable, especially at the beginning of the book. I remember feeling angry that the left were portrayed as such blubbering buffoons. It became more believable toward the end of the painfully long book.

My beef with this book is Scott Brick. I'm sorry, Mr. Brick, but you make it hard to listen to this book. I feel like you're more concerned with the artistry and sound of your own voice, the tone and smoothness, than you are with the portrayal of the characters. It seemed often like incorrect words were given emphasis, words were given emphasis for no reason other than it sounded good and clean, and it made the story harder to receive. I'm currently listening to Cloud Atlas and recognized your voice and the same bleached, boring tone at the beginning of it. I'm hoping your part is short.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Francisco D'Anconia because he could keep a secret.

How could the performance have been better?

AcCENTing the right sylLABles.

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

It did sway my politics a good deal. I went from being a liberal to a left-libertarian (I was leaning this way naturally, but this book made it easier).

Any additional comments?

There is another narrator for this book (Christopher Hurt, I believe). I'd recommend listening to that version.

Dark, creepy, visionary, tense

Would you listen to Atlas Shrugged again? Why?

It's a long read/listen. Dark and creepy. I loved it but it creeped me out. So, I would listen a second time around because I took many breaks, which I think screwed with the flow.

What did you like best about this story?

It's relentless. Full of tension.

What aspect of Scott Brick’s performance would you have changed?

Found most characters sounded the same and the sounded glib and bored.

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

Creepy tension

8th time listening

My absolute favorite book and the narrator does an amazing job of bringing it to life.

Worth it!

The story and reading were both excellent. It was a long novel but I loved every second of it. Now that it is over I find myself missing the characters. Great book!

Obama government could cause this

if you didn't know any better you would think the story was written in this decade .the government reminds me of the Obama Administration

Great story!

Enjoyed the narrator. Story is great. Although this is a long book, I listened to it quickly!

You have to listed to this book

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

Yes, it is a classic which narration only enhanced

What did you like best about this story?

The message to stand up strong

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved each scene

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

It made me more determined to excel

I love this book

If you could sum up Atlas Shrugged in three words, what would they be?

Great character development.

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

There isn't, except maybe her other work. We the Living was an excellent first novel; The Fountainhead geared up for Atlas Shrugged.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Francisco.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I want to but can't.

Any additional comments?

I actually have two audio Atlas Shrugged purchases now. This one is far superior in audio quality to the other. The narrarator is better, too.