Should you read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand?

[@MrHarvP]

You can see the beginnings of what happened in the book starting to take place in the real world.

[@dontreadmyprofilepicture.5418]

EXACTLY.

[@brentellis2164]

That's a solidly balanced perspective that is rare when Rand's works are discussed. Have never read 'Atlas Shrugged,' but 'The Fountainhead' was thought provoking and gave me an enduring fascination with architecture and design that I am quite grateful for. Enjoying all the recommendations.

[@readtherightthing]

Thanks for the comment! I still need to read The Fountainhead. One day I’ll get around to it.

[@bl18ce99]

If you have read The Fountainhead, you simply must read Atlas Shrugged.

[@smb123211]

Rand said the Fountainhead was only a prelude to Atlas. It's a must read if you like the Fountainhead (both had the same "sense of life"). Decades later I prefer the Fountainhead. We the Living is a good (typical Rand) story about life after the Russian Revolution

[@user-kz9ii2jk6y]

Atlas shrugged is a much better read in my opinion

[@smb123211]

@@user-kz9ii2jk6y Good but so long and preachy and repetitive. Fountainhead was a far better novel (as literature) and the portrait of Gail has to be one of the best ever.

[@AD-cy7wx]

“Devotion to the truth is the hallmark of morality; there is no greater, nobler, more heroic form of devotion than the act of a man who assumes the responsibility of thinking.” -Atlas Shrugged ❤❤

[@jchan9761]

Given her Zionist background, it’s all a bit of a joke.

[@ArchonOne]

“Money is the root of all evil.” “Oh really?” The what is money speech should be taught in schools.

[@deepcow]

This book changed my life. I read it when I was 14 years old.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

I'm reading it now and I'm absolutely fascinated.

[@justforlaughs309]

I just picked up the three disk set from the library.

[@johnnynick3621]

I'm jealous. I have read it at least six times.... but the very first time I read it I could not put it down. I devoured it. Enjoy.

[@LakevusParadice]

Who is John galt?

[@elperrofenrir]

your new god xD

[@jackkonnof4106]

I cheated and watched the movie..I couldn't believe how it relates to today. It should be required in highschool.

[@readtherightthing]

The movie with Kristen Stewart? I still need to watch it!

[@readtherightthing]

Thought this was a comment on my On the Road video... Kristen Stewart has been in no movie adaptation of Atlas Shrugged... that I know of haha

[@FishuaJo]

Thanks for the advice! I have a copy taking up space on my shelf, but I guess I’ll hold on to it until I can give it at least 1 read through.

[@oliviapetrinidimonforte6640]

Not dense at all. It is straightforward and easy to read.

[@ethantaylor2827]

Literal toilet paper. Wouldn't even take it for free because I would never let it take up space on my shelf.

[@ExistenceUniversity]

Oh you prefer hating yourself and others I see

[@billdaniel8310]

I read her books 40 years ago and enjoyed them and probably shaped my way of thinking. 2 years ago I was travelling through Asia, Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan and I was surprised by how many teenagers were reading her books on buses and trains.

[@readtherightthing]

That is an interesting comment. I don't think teenagers in America are reading her books... but I could be wrong.

[@alexanderpluckebaum4048]

I am 24 german reading her books

[@alexlewis5365]

In my opinion, it's a also a good idea to read some of her works after Atlas Shrugged and Fountainhead. I've read Capitalism: the unkown ideal, the virtue of selfishness, and the romantic manifesto. I recommend them whether you hate Rand or love her. I was in a phase of my life where I loved everything about Rand and Objectivism. It's funny then that nowadays I disagree with so much of it. But even still, some of the things she's taught are still views I agree with.

[@user-wg8xx8wj3u]

Ayn Rand was a very intelligent person & gone through more in her lifetime than most people will ever go through. We know the liberals hate it. When they grow up they might understand, but there has never been an author that even if one loves the author, will agree with everything they say. But it is a great book & so is Fountainhead

[@alexlewis5365]

Liberals hate it. But if conservatives actually studied her philosophy, they'd hate it too lol

[@ronaldblackburn2483]

One long book . In my early 20s I abandoned the violence of the left I took up reading Ayn Rand . Her writing transformed me to Libertarianism .

[@lamalamalex]

kzbin.infoPVnVcjW6-xQ?si=ncpd7BFHFomAC2_q

[@mr.andrew_andrew]

Rip

[@powerincarnate6783]

But she wasn't a libertarian,was she?

[@bloomygirl315]

@@powerincarnate6783 Nope. Rand denounced libertarianism and saw the right as anarchists. She preferred the term 'radical for capitalism' and her personal philosophies are heavy in Objectivism.

[@brokenmolly6061]

@@bloomygirl315she was opposed to it during her time. Most of her views would line up with modern libertarianism

[@michaelmanus7765]

Odd book that once read, hopefully gets people to think and find new perspective. I don't have to agree with her writing but it is a great exercise in thought.

[@justforlaughs309]

I just picked up the three disk set from the library.

[@readtherightthing]

Enjoy the audio book! It would be a good one to listen to I think.

[@matthewdecordova]

Long, dense and ambitious in scope. Definitely worth a read, but, if you want something that has the essence or spirit of her philosophy interwoven into the story, without being beaten over the head with it, I’d suggest ‘The Fountainhead’. Then again, that was the first book of hers I read so, I’m mildly biased.

[@vinayak4859]

Ohh damn i didnt knew it came before

[@ashtheviking5007]

I much prefer the fountainhead as well. Atlas Shrugged, while still very good, becomes too preachy and you need a LOT of cheese to go along with all that whine.

[@bl18ce99]

Everyone should read it. It changed mine, and many others life. It's a tough read,so if you can't read it, at least read Orwell's " Animal Farm".

[@Jomama02]

I was given this book in a english class when i was a freshman in high school. Was supposed to do a book report. I gave the book back to the teacher and told her no way could i do a book report. She asked why. I told her not possible, pure philosophy. I got an A for my grade! Best book I've ever read besides the bible. I've read it at different times in my life and get something new out of it every time! Highly recommend reading it!

[@yodizzll]

yes, you should absolutely read it

[@Habibilehm]

This book is the actual story of Germany.

[@koitheawesome]

"Is greed good if it benefits and adds to society?" -- What is this question supposed to mean? Is that supposed to be a paraphrasing of the books central question? If it is, this shows how completely you have misunderstood Ayn Rand's work and her writing. Ayn Rand did not have any care for considerations of society whatever. She recognized that society was merely the outgrowth of the new God made secular. Society, as such, is not an entity. It has no moral value and deserves no moral considerations. The *only* unit of value, held by Ayn Rand and myself, is the individual qua individual. Not the individual as part of a country, a race, an economic class, a gender, or any other group affiliation. The individual as an individual, living for his or her own sake, guided by his or her own rational judgement, directed towards his or her own values. Society, as such, is just a conceptual generalization. That which is good for society cannot be inimical to the individual. Nothing can be good for society but evil for the individual. The individual is the unit of value, and the basic standard of morality, politics, and rights is the life of man, meaning the fundamental requirements of any man (or woman's) life according to the nature of man qua rational being. It is shocking to me to see people talk about Ayn Rand so often with such blatant and inexcusable ignorance of her philosophical beliefs, especially when, as in this video, it is presented as from a position of intellectual authority. Though, that being said, you did a far better job of representing Ayn Rand than Jordan Peterson--who clearly has failed to grasp even her most fundamental positions with any degree of clarity and understanding.

[@readtherightthing]

I don't think it is the central question of the book. Just something I think about when I read or experience texts about capitalism, entrepreneurial sprit, etc. The wolf of Wall Street has a different answer to the question than this book for example. I'm no expert of Rand's philosophical beliefs. In fact I know very little other than what I gathered from reading one of her books. Which I may have completely misunderstood anyway! Thanks for the insightful comment. You bring up some interesting points that I'm going to think about moving forward.

[@ExistenceUniversity]

Best book. I have The John Galt Speech on my channel

[@slippinslidewayz]

Who is John Galt? I stumbled upon it after being of the laissez-faire mindset for quite some time. To me, the pursuit of freedom and direct course over ones own actions speaks to me the most. The basic principles of freedom written therein fire true in my heart. Edit: I used a word twice in a sentence and it sounded off.

[@mxarturo]

i like this book, i almost finish it, i am reading in spanish. who is John Galt? it is a long book but i agree you must read this book , step by step.

[@micchaelsanders6286]

Atlas Shrugged is the greatest symphony of language a human being has ever produced.

[@GiveMeTheRedPill]

Nah James Madison’s bill of rights has everything beat.

[@kylethedalek]

Watch Christopher Hitchens he has debunked this book.

[@user-tp7gy4dj4l]

Hahahahaha! ... oh wait, you meant that? Your average used-car sales pitch is a better symphony of language.

[@TeaAndBunsMC]

Reads like a bad fanfiction

[@andymccallum8090]

​@@kylethedalekas much as I love hitch. He didn't really debunk anything

[@redequal7457]

Every person, especially Americans, should read this great book. It should be taught in school. And it is not complicated in my opinion. Most people can understand it.

[@user-tp7gy4dj4l]

Maybe it's great, but it's not good.

[@nl3064]

​@user-tp7gy4dj4l ha, clever. I wouldn't go so far as the O.P., but I do really like the book. A lot of criticism is valid, yes - one dimensional characterisation, unrealistic, sometimes bordering on ridiculous dialogue, a somewhat simplistic view of capitalism, the excessive description of what the characters are feeling instead of showing it - and good is subjective, especially with this book - but...I wouldn't discount someone saying it's good, it just depends, again, especially with this work, what their takeaway is. I still think the prose for the most part is pretty good (especially since Rand wasn't a native English speaker) and a thoroughly engrossing plot, and the ambitious scale of the story. It seems the majority of detractors only focus on its gross appropriation by the American right, and that's all they can see.

[@Schnoz42069]

Except it's evil nonsense

[@ddv6913]

You understood it, so yes, most people can.

[@monjiaitaly]

She was a brilliant woman. Some people believe she believed in selfishness and she did, meaning she did not believe that men should sacrifice themselves, their labor and their minds for the collective.

[@user-tp7gy4dj4l]

She died friendless, on the Social Security that she previously rejected, and of a cancer caused by the smoking that she praised. Maybe she was 'brilliant', but that's not the same thing as wise, or even intelligent.

[@TeaAndBunsMC]

"Fuck you, I got mine" will always be antithetical to what humans should strive for. Never forget she died friendless and dependent on the systems she despised.

[@andymccallum8090]

​@@user-tp7gy4dj4lthat dosent disqualify her views and arguments tho

[@BINSNEWS]

Rand was right to a certain degree re to the individual vs. society. But U still need things provided by the state such as Social Security, Medicaid, Disability, the Military, etc......If U want a smart Conservative with real world based views; read Taylor Caldwell novels. Rand leaves a lot out. Caldwell covers everything about life.

[@readtherightthing]

any specific Caldwell novel you recommend starting with?

[@larrylutsky181]

Why do we need the government to provide the programs you mentioned? Have you considered there may be other ways?

[@RJ_Games0]

@@larrylutsky181what are the other ways?

[@larrylutsky181]

@@RJ_Games0have you ever heard of private insurance and private security. Imagine paying for a service you require.

[@RJ_Games0]

@@larrylutsky181 ok, how does that fix the problem? Explain.

[@Rudy7179]

If Atlas Shrugged is your favorite book, im sorry you hate people so much.

[@johnnynick3621]

What an absurd comment. Ayn Rand did not hate people.... she despised moochers and parasites. That's why you dislike her. I get it.

[@percsie3072]

Fan fiction to make the fortunate feel less guilty. Confront your privilege, question why you feel so passionate about a book that confirms everything you’ve ever wanted to believe.

[@bradleyboyer9979]

Shut up, Meg.

[@AD-cy7wx]

I disagree. There are a LOT of truths found in this book. Just like any philosophy, it isn’t the be all end all of humanity… but you can feel the influence of her childhood in riussia during the communist takeover and why we should fear communism and a loss of individuality. ❤ “Devotion to the truth is the hallmark of morality; there is no greater, nobler, more heroic form of devotion than the act of a man who assumes the responsibility of thinking.” -atlas shrugged ❤

[@DJTrulin]

you cannot kill the spirit, no matter how hard you squint

[@johnnynick3621]

How obscene... to call "privileged" those of us who have worked hard and earned our wealth... as opposed to those of YOU who have sat back and gorged on our productivity. YOU are the privileged. Find a business owner somewhere and thank him for your life. You owe him more... but that's a start.

[@percsie3072]

@@johnnynick3621 cope harder no life. From the sounds of your comment it sounds like you’re some peasant trying hard to cope with the reality that all your labor has rewarded you with fractions of your productivity. Be mad at the systems that have exploited you, not those criticizing the systems that continue to take advantage of you.

[@thiloan8384]

I want to read ❤

[@ZenCharlie]

Who is John Galt?

[@Boudinoir1]

I love this book because I hate everything about it.

[@eliriekeberg7127]

Super dense and hard to follow book if I’m honest. Rambles seemingly incoherent at times. But there’s a really great story inside about what can happen when we focus too much on demanding that everyone sacrifice “for the greater good” without end.

[@williammielenz3752]

Officer Barbrady will never read again after reading Atlas Shrugged.

[@augustusbambridge-sutton6280]

Even if you’re a free market loving, weakness hating libertarian who thinks empathy is evil, claiming it’s the second most influential book after the Bible is surely a bit of a stretch.

[@readtherightthing]

I believe that idea came from a survey the library of congress did for the book of the month club. That’s what I read. So take that with a grain of salt

[@man-observing-world]

I read it in high school, most memorable part of my education beside making a full suit of samurai armor in history class.

[@Tomwilliam777]

Lol what part of the world did you go to high school?

[@donnasherwood283]

why would i need your opinion about it ?

[@ExistenceUniversity]

Why would we need your comments about his opinion?

[@wulffgrymm6493]

You really should read "Fountainhead" first before "Atlas Shrugged".

[@c4call]

Ayn Rand would have liked to say in the same discussion that 1. A man should seek his own rational self interest", and 2. A man should submit himself to the will of a supremely more intelligent man, who could do more good and create more value with his labor and time than he could if he if he didnt submit himself. At the end of the day it was in her own rational self interest to profess intellect as the supreme value of man. But she refused to accept violence as a valid use of man's intellect. The way i see it, violence is the supreme method by which human intellect has so rapidly increased. History tells the story. Men of higher strategic capability provided the stability and predictability within which things like money could gain a foothold. Violence is what made man, man.

[@user-tp7gy4dj4l]

Nonsense. Chimpanzees are more violent that humans; so why are they in our zoos rather than we in theirs?

[@gmc9451]

Would this book have improved the lives of first nation Americans.

[@TheAnti-HeroProverbs]

Yes read it.

[@phillipstroll7385]

This book should be required reading to graduate high school.

[@jherr856]

God please Not. The tjey should also Read The capital.

[@ymmij5217]

no. this book and randian philosophy in general are malicious at best and pure idiocy at worst.

[@Schnoz42069]

No

[@berniekitching7668]

Don't read Atlas Shrugged. It is long winded and repetitive. The Fountainhead is 300 pages shorter, with more interesting characters, better story and the same basic message. One of my favorite books, thought provoking. Of course she never had children and there are no children in her stories. The idea that she could possibly explain core values of the individual and society, without any investigation into the relationship between parent and child is laughable. Her philosophy is immature and shallow.

[@johnnynick3621]

No actually, Bernie, YOU are immature and shallow if you truly believe that only people who are parents are capable of discussing values. What a silly, absurd position.

[@MelkorTolkien]

The Bible reference is odd considering Ayn Rand's views on religion and God, religion essentially being a mental conditioned collective. 🤔

[@readtherightthing]

More so comparing the reach and influence that both books have.

[@MelkorTolkien]

@@readtherightthing Just my attempt at being factitious. 😏

[@readtherightthing]

@@MelkorTolkien Thanks for the comment! Now I want to read up on her religious views!

[@paradigm-wx6bn]

WHO IS JOHN GALT?

[@dannysanchez1925]

There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." - john Rogers

[@readtherightthing]

Haha I've never seen this quote before. Thanks for sharing!

[@RNFORLAW]

People can read anything they want. Why go to some random dude for advice ? Think for yourself ~

[@readtherightthing]

Title is maybe a bit pretentious and misleading. I agree people should think for themselves. But I’ve found some great books from KZbinrs or even in the staff recommended at book stores that I would have never heard about or read.

[@ApocalypticAngel2178_]

I think you may have misunderstood his sentiment.

[@slimfish2128]

Tha book murdered my spirit to read any book ......pure hogwash

[@RonDiani]

Read another book trust me there are good books

[@brennickler]

Go back to playing video games and eating candy.

[@googleuser868]

​@@brennicklerTaco Bell and farting are more fun at the Walmart checkout line.

[@aryand7870]

The book could’ve been written in half the pages

[@6throotjavi]

Very true although them long monologues are what really brings out her arguments n questions

[@DJTrulin]

read the fountainhead

[@user-tp7gy4dj4l]

It is poorly written, with idiot plotting, cardboard characters, wooden dialog, and lunatic ideology. I didn't exactly read it; I _caught_ it, like a flu. Then my mental immune system kicked in and cleared it out of me.

[@dennislinden3657]

Just do it.

[@cliveadams7629]

Preachy, a terrible warning to anyone who wants to push a morality or philosophy in a novel as to just how trite and tedious it will be.

[@nl3064]

While I personally love the book (and don't get me wrong, I'm no right-wing nut - one can like something for a variety of reasons besides idealogy), I get where you're coming from - the book is not subtle and ideologically over-simplified and outright heavy-handed - that said, I never found it tedious, the plot itself I found thoroughly engaging, and I don't see what makes it trite. The story is original, take that how you will, and it's no literary supernova, but it's certainly one of the most infamous American novels of the 20th century, and the fact you're here 67 years later, taking the time to comment about it shows its staying power (for better or worse).

[@cliveadams7629]

@nl3064 I suppose we're all different. I only read it because I keep coming across so many rave reviews. Actually, more tried to read it, I found it boring and irritating and gave up. The characters are not even 2 dimensional, the plot obvious, the inevitable end not worth wading through a swamp of clumsy words and unconvincing memes to confirm. But, hey, if you enjoy it, then fine. There are far better books out there both in terms of political comment and a good story. Pretty much anything by Orwell, Bukowsky, Harry Crews, Kurt Vonnegut, Saint-Exupéry, Dante, Tolstoy...

[@nl3064]

@cliveadams7629 ironically, it was Orwell I personally found a horrid bore. And Bukowksi? As, in Charles Bukowksi? (in that case, you misspelled his name). What political commentary did Bukowksi ever make? And Bukowksi is even more mediocre than Rand - the prose may have been half a notch better, but I love it when someone bashes a mediocrity, only to praise an even bigger nothing. The only readable, non-pretentious satirist you have there is Kurt Vonnegut - And did Saint-Exupery ever write anything besides Little Prince? (I get the satire of the Little Prince, but of that's the only thing he ever wrote before his death, seems a bit premature to lump him in with these guys).

[@cliveadams7629]

@nl3064 Wow, you want to take time to whine about a typo? Then, hilariously, go on to misspell Bukowski's name twice? I could see you're dense, I imagine that's why you can't grasp the subtle social and political commentary in his writing, especially his poetry, but to call it mediocre? I hadn't realised quite how simple and shallow you are. I guess someone has to vote for Trump and it wouldn't surprise me if you did again. Not much point in trying to continue with this, you are clearly clueless. Still laughing at your comment about Saint-Exupery. I'll leave you to get someone to help you Google a list of his books.

[@johnjonzz4348]

One of thee Best books I ever read! Individual Freedom vs Collective Slavery.

[@Space_Ache]

The book is more relevant today than perhaps it has ever been. The collective hive mind is stronger than ever but the will of the "I" can only be destroyed by itself.

[@TeaAndBunsMC]

Never forget she died dependent on social security, in subsidized housing and friendless. Her closest friends wanted nothing to do with her when she went broke. "Fuck you, I got mine" will always be antithetical to what humans are capable of.

[@thereignofthezero225]

Extremely well written in my opinion

[@user-tp7gy4dj4l]

Extremely badly written in mine.

[@thereignofthezero225]

@@user-tp7gy4dj4l your opinion sucks. Atlas shrugged and so did I when I read your lame comment haha

[@oscarlove4394]

its not that good, as a novel it wanders and preaches about its philosophy too much, but as a book of philosophy or whatever you want to call objectivism its also bad. Because instead of clearly discussing its subject matter it merely parades about a succesion of straw-men and leaves a lot to be desired. Its a mediocre novel and a mediocre philosophy book crammed together into a low-quality door stopper that spends too much time ranting and not enough time seriously thinking. What about all the edge-cases and other more complex situations. What about slavery, or functional slavery, charity-as-PR or other altruistic endeavors. The book proposes that all charity is unethical and that we should have a completely free market. Even though even the staunchest of capitalists agree that a completely free market is a stupid idea.

[@readtherightthing]

Thanks for the comment! I've been waiting for someone to take the stance that it isn't great. "Low-quality door stopper" is a great line even though I'm pretty sure its hefty enough to make a halfway decent door stopper.

[@garycombs5721]

Atlas Shrugged has got to be the single most boring book ever written. I quit after only 120 pages, meaning I still had about 1,000 pages to go.

[@georgecullins5939]

Love it very much read several times - perhaps not for everyone but wow - she grew up watching these things happen in her own country so she knows what she's talking about. Brilliant.

[@nfpnone8248]

No! There is no reason to read that book!

[@PrimeHunter18]

Is this book poorly writen, repetetive and purpusfully streched to make it look impressive for beeing long? yes. Is it a boring story with absolutly no charakter development and zero nuance? yes. are the ideas laughable stupid and have obviously serious flaws? yes. should you read this book? no

[@chuckleaf8027]

Read it 7 times......... Cuffy was too drunk..and set off the Xylophone... :)

[@bradleyboyer9979]

A completely free market is a great idea.

[@FreakingDoubt]

The only social and economic arrangement that isn't contrived. And that us the real difference and greatest strength thr free market has over other competing systems

[@danddiversified8477]

It’s a long poop

[@eliseenkoivan]

This book is a waste of time.

[@dylanjones9354]

Your comment was the only waste of time in this case. Ayn Rand's books however, actually has a benefit.

[@eliseenkoivan]

@@dylanjones9354 yes. In cash. For her. From ppl like you. Yay.

[@dylanjones9354]

@@eliseenkoivan People like me yes. People who wish to be better and actually put in the effort. While people like you stand in the sideline, do nothing other than criticise without any logic or facts and remain jealous. That would sum up people like you.... YAY!!!!

[@dylanjones9354]

@@eliseenkoivan PS . You can read her books for free online lol. And yes I paid cash for physical copy using my money I earned myself. So yes, cash for me. Reply back with an actual argument next time if you do otherwise enjoy sitting on the sidelines being irrelevant while people like me do stuff... as Ayn Rand did when she was alive 😉

[@eliseenkoivan]

@@dylanjones9354 good for you:)

[@AdamBuker]

Who is John Galt?