Atlas Shrugged

[Yurt]

I am a little over half way through this book. I have been reading lighter books in between. I find myself getting a tad bored. I have a cousin that is a philosophy prof at Duke that believes this is the "bible." And teaches that in fact. So I read it in order that I could actually discuss his ideas with some background, e.g., understanding what I thought she was writing about.

Anyone ever finished this book? Has anyone experienced my problem of getting somewhat bored in the middle?

[Said1]

I am a little over half way through this book. I have been reading lighter books in between. I find myself getting a tad bored. I have a cousin that is a philosophy prof at Duke that believes this is the "bible." And teaches that in fact. So I read it in order that I could actually discuss his ideas with some background, e.g., understanding what I thought she was writing about.

Anyone ever finished this book? Has anyone experienced my problem of getting somewhat bored in the middle?

I didn't finish the book. I found the use of symbolism kind of tacky and it really got on my nerves. I just didn't like it. I think Rand's academic work is much better. I hope Atlas Shrugged, the novel, isn't considered academic.

[April15]

Was required reading in college for me.

[Mr. P]

Should be required reading for everyone...specially liberals.

[Said1]

Was required reading in college for me.

What subject?

[April15]

What subject?

Political science. A class I dropped.

[Said1]

Political science. A class I dropped.

So you didn't like it?

[Yurt]

I didn't finish the book. I found the use of symbolism kind of tacky and it really got on my nerves. I just didn't like it. I think Rand's academic work is much better. I hope Atlas Shrugged, the novel, isn't considered academic.

It is actually beyond mere "academic." I think he wants to start a college based primarily on her teachings.

I think in either southern TN or northern GA.

[Yurt]

Was required reading in college for me.

What college and what study if you don't mind answering?

[Yurt]

Should be required reading for everyone...specially liberals.

Why?

So far, I agree with most of the book, is there something in the latter half that I need to read/finish?

[Mr. P]

Why?

So far, I agree with most of the book, is there something in the latter half that I need to read/finish?

Yep...finish it.
Oh keep in mind when it was written too..

[Yurt]

Yep...finish it.
Oh keep in mind when it was written too..

I know when it was written.


So what are your thoughts on it.

[Sitarro]

I felt the first 50 pages were a bit slow but after that I read some every day until I finished it. I agree with Mr. P that it is well worth finishing, John Galt's speech is incredible just as Howard Roark's was in The Fountainhead.

The story could easily be about the airlines instead of the railroads and is quite timeless in the way it was written. If you don't want to finish it, skip to John Galt's 56 page speech, well worth the read. I would also recommend The Fountainhead, a shorter book about an architect....... very good.

[Mr. P]

I know when it was written.


So what are your thoughts on it.

My thought is it's a view of our future if we continue down the same path.

[Said1]

It is actually beyond mere "academic." I think he wants to start a college based primarily on her teachings.

I think in either southern TN or northern GA.

Her teachings and fiction writing ie Atlas Shrugged are not in the same calibure, IMHO. I'm juding the book from any other persepctive other than literary. I guess it depends largely on why you are reading it and if there is any background (lectures etc) provided to help guide you through the book. Maybe I should finish the book, too!

I have to admit, I would be interested in looking at the feminist persepctive. That would be an interesting class.