Atlas Shrugged

By: Ayn Rand

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

"Who is John Galt?" is the immortal question posed at the beginning of Ayn Rand's masterpiece. The answer is the astonishing story of a man who said he would stop the motor of the world and did.

As passionate as it is profound, Atlas Shrugged is one of the most influential novels of our time. In it, Rand dramatizes the main tenets of objectivism, her philosophy of rational selfishness. She explores the ramifications of her radical thinking in a world that penalizes human intelligence and integrity.

Part mystery, part thriller, part philosphical inquiry, part volatile love affair, Atlas Shrugged is the book that confirmed Ayn Rand as one of the most popular novelists and most respected thinkers of the 20th century.

©1957 Ayn Rand, renewed 1985 Estate of Ayn Rand (P)2000 HighBridge Company

Best book ever!

I have listened to Atlas Shrugged many times & it never gets old! Ayn Rand was way ahead of her time !!

This is an edited version

The reading is superb.
Yes, trim John Galt’s speech
No, shouldn’t have cut other scenes

Spirit of America

This book inspires me time and time again. Whenever I need to remember that heroes do exist I listen. It should be required reading for every person who is privileged enough to call themselves an American.

In my top ten.

Performance is an all around great work. I actually started this and put it down twice before finishing. Starts out a bit slow but the build is necessary. I’d place this in my top 10.

We are living in this book current day

This book is almost satirical because we think to ourselves, “oh this could never happen.” But in different forms is actually happening in real life. Fascinating study and story about capitalism (crony and otherwise) and a study of human dignity, human worth, and production.

Needs to be Read

Rand is a nightmare but it is good to understand a capitalist’s thinking.

I sought out female philosophers because I was tired of reading the opinions of a bunch of white men. I was presented with Ayn Rand. Her book “Atlas Shrugged” is a gross caricature plug for capitalism.
The question “Who is John Galt” is asked periodically as a mystery. He turns out to be a capitalist who has stolen all the gold and silver from mines to create a secret hideout for the elite to hide from the average people. Toward the end her hero, John Galt, is being tortured because the average person is just average, and they insist on his leadership. They demand he tell them what to do because they can’t figure it out on their own. Dagny Taggart, the heroine, shoots the guard because he is a mindless automaton.
The heroine, Dagny Taggart, is so in love with Galt that she offers to be his maid when she comes to their hideout. I guess Rand realized the cleaning would need to be done, even in a capitalist hideout. I say, let Dagny be her hero’s maid. Who is John Galt? The man who will have his toilet cleaned by his greatest capitalist fan.
Rand believed that when we seek our own benefit, we also benefit others, and therefore capitalism is a moral system.

The near future foretold

Great preview is how socialism/collectivism ruin the world. Should be
Mandatory reading prior
To
The upcoming election.

Second best book in the world.

First Bible, second ATLAS SHRUGGED. I just ordered the hardcover. A mandatory read for my kids and future kids.

Wonderful way to finish

I could not put the book down until I was 1/2 way done with the book. It's similar to a Don Quiote read with regards to the length of the book. 1200pgs This was a great way for me to "hurry" and finish. Wonderful book and nice narration.

John Galt is needed today...

This book is more than just a classic and terribly good read, it is a time capsule just opened. Ayn Rand the real feminist in the highest sense. She shatters progressivism into its rightful place and exposes the real looters of the world. Should be required reading...