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

better than expected

What did you love best about Atlas Shrugged?

Applies to the situation in our country today. It offers hope for a brighter future. It always motivates me to be my best despite obstacles.

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

Dagney Taggert trading diamonds for a Rearden metal bracelet, completing the impossible John Gault line and then taking the train across the Rearden metal bridge. There were to many great moments to describe! She weaves a great story into her philosophical points. You will see echoes of what is happening here in the united states and Europe even though this was written 50 plus years ago.

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

My biggest compliment was I never noticed him.

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

I stood up and cheered for John Gault

Any additional comments?

I normally stay away from abridged versions but thought this worked well

Excellent, but...

This book is wonderful and the performance is spot on. I will forever have those voices in my head for the characters in this book. I only give this book 4 stars because the abridged version leaves out to much. You're left wanting more - especially at the end of the book. I have a three hour a day commute during the work week and I finished this book on my Friday morning morning drive. Not all of the narrative is practical but the book is nevertheless fun and will get you thinking.

Most enjoyable way to go through atlas shrugged

I have since childhood held the desire of reading this book one day. However, the enormous length of this book, kept me from getting at it. Then it struck me to try audible and found this version. The reviews and sample audio clips looked promising. And the audio book lived upto it! Mr. Hermann wonderfully though his story telling brings all the characters to life and makes this story most enjoyable!

Amazing Story! Okay narration!

Where does Atlas Shrugged rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of my favorite all time stories! If you are into political intrigue and how the world will be in a hundred years then this is the book to read.

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

I have not listened to this narrator before, but I did enjoy listening to him. He had a good presence and was not annoying like quite a few others. Have a heard better? Of course, but I would listen to his books again.

important reading

the story should be read and studied by everyone. Ayn Rand had an incredible mind.

Master of independent thinking

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

Ayn Rand was able to incorporate drama, money, politics, sex, and intellect in one novel.

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

Hunger Games because it is about social and political suicide of a nation.

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

His voice animation of the characters

If you could take any character from Atlas Shrugged out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Hank Reardon

Any additional comments?

greatest fictional novel of all times about the disaster of socialism.

favorite! must read!

This book has made clear so many of the confusing aspects of our societies. I wish I had read this 15 years ago when I was a teenager.
I am so grateful for the rational and logical ideas shared in this book; For the insights into the machine of a looting government and the lazy way people can let others tell them what to think. I am going to recommend this to everyone and read it again. I'm going to have my children read it.

So very relevant

Everyone should read this and all of Ayn Rand’s titles. What interesting concepts and scary how easily they could become real life events.

Not the full book

I read the full book first, but loved it so much I wanted to listen to it too. However, I discovered parts of the book that were missing from the audio book. I think they should make a point of telling you that before you purchase the book.

Great performance

I struggled a bit during the first third, got back on the horse on the second and totally enjoyed the third.
The narration by Herr Herrmann is magnificent, and it made me stick with the book instead of an early drop. Very enjoyable to hear somebody mastering their task on the narration.