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.

Best book I will ever read.

Ayn Rand was one of the best authors of her generation. Her work in Atlas Shrugged is the masterpiece of her career.

Good book, but heavy on the monologues

This is a good book with some very interesting ideas. Whether or not you agree with Rand, she certainly has some thought-provoking ideas. I will say that it is a monologue-heavy book and it is easy to zone out during the longer ones. I haven't listened to the abridged version, but I suspect you could get the highlights of Rand's philosophy just as well I. that version.

Something to Consider Anew

While somewhat verbose in places and dated for today’s reader, this book offers a very relevant cautionary story about the way things could yet become.
Rand encourages self knowledge and self esteem while recognizing that the mob rule of popular opinion ultimately leads toward breakdowns of society and self.

A Great Book

Everyone should read this book -- multiple times. Trigger Warning: Contains Ideas. Exposure to Ideas can threaten sensitive persons' concept of their own righteousness. Read with caution. And then read with increasing interest and enjoyment.

Brilliantly delivered

Thought provoking throughout and read better than almost any other book I have listened to. Captivating.

Great read

This novel took some time to build and introduce characters but once it gained momentum there was no stop. It was well written and unapologetic. Would recommend

Timeless and as relevent today as ever.

For a book that was written back in 1954 it is considered Ayn Rand's best work. Scott Brick has done an excellent job of bringing the book to life with emotion and reason coming through his voice that reflects the authors characters. I've read somewhere this is the 4th most popular book in the world so do yourself a favor and add it to your bucket list. At worst it will make you think about the role of the producers and looters in this world. The bonus is a love story based on respect.

Worth the journey

Any additional comments?

Yes, it is a long book and there are times when the journey seems as if it will never end. But it does and you are left with an appreciation of just what a amazing journey you have had. She saw many things that have come to pass and many I feel will still come to pass. Some critics point to the book as a promotion of selfishness and greed. Quite the opposite. It promotes rugged individualism. A person has an idea, works hard and reaps the rewards that are due. And others benefit from the idea, the hard work. But government enters the picture and claims the rewards are unwarranted. The idea was of no consequence. The hard work was of no merit. The rewards were greed taking from others and giving nothing in return.

It might be argued what is presented in this book is the inevitable end of the journey we are now on. Might just be.

Required reading for anyone questiong our PC lives

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

It is better than not reading the book, at all. Listening to the audio while reading along is best. There are points she makes that bare consideration. The pause button is important. This book is a feast to be slowly enjoyed and ruminated over.

What did you like best about this story?

Her use of descriptive titles for the 'Looters', the 'Destroyers', the 'Parasites' is especially good for youthful readers. She makes clear who the good guys and who the bad guys are. "The mind is the fundamental source of wealth." And her comment that 'individuals should pursue life enhancing values'.

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

No

If you could rename Atlas Shrugged, what would you call it?

Cautionary Tale to Modern Society

Engaging & a novel of today

What made the experience of listening to Atlas Shrugged the most enjoyable?

I looked forward to relaxing at the end of the day, focusing on the story, characters, and the reader's voice made the connection with each character...a strong delivery.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dagny, of course, since I am a woman. Her will, her ethics, her value system spoke strongly to my convictions and all I could do is admire her strengths. I love Hank. He is sexy in his own right. I admired men of integrity and conviction. He does not wavier.

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

This is my first. He does a great job in delivery. Very pleasant to listen to.

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

Francisco. His delivery of his message on money. Hank, the court room scene.

Any additional comments?

Seeing part one and two/dvd, bringing the novel to life, I often wonder why this novel took so long to be revealed. Cannot wait for part three.