SkymonkeyONE 4 #1 January 27, 2007 Before I left Z-hills to come up here to work this contract in Virginia, I grabbed a big book off the shelf of City Hall. It's a book that I had intended to read many years ago, but never, for whatever reason, got around to. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. It's tremendously long, but fascinating. I am half-way through it's 1075 pages. I really like what it's saying and it makes me want to read more of her philosophical work. Anyone else have an opinion on it or any of the other stuff she wrote? Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #2 January 27, 2007 I haven't heard of it or her... I may have to look into it...Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinnyshrek 0 #3 January 27, 2007 heres me thinking you were lost...charles atlas was a real big body builder wasn't hehttp://www.skydivethefarm.com do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SBS 0 #4 January 27, 2007 It's good stuff. I need to start it again...I got through about 3/4 of it before I got distracted. Damned A.D.D.!!! Anyway, I've read a couple of different things, including The Virtue of Selfishness, which was interesting. Enjoy! -S_____________ I'm not conceited...I'm just realistic about my awesomeness... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #5 January 27, 2007 QuoteBefore I left Z-hills to come up here to work this contract in Virginia, I grabbed a big book off the shelf of City Hall. It's a book that I had intended to read many years ago, but never, for whatever reason, got around to. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. It's tremendously long, but fascinating. I am half-way through it's 1075 pages. I really like what it's saying and it makes me want to read more of her philosophical work. Anyone else have an opinion on it or any of the other stuff she wrote? Chuck I've read it probably 5 times over the years, introduced it to a dozen people, and probably spent a cumulative full week discussing it. It's generally considered the second most influential book in american history. Unfortunately recent converts sometimes lose their humanity for a while until they realize the MEANING of her philosophy can be achieved without becoming inhuman in the STYLE of her characters. In the same way, people who hate the style of her characters discount the philosophy. Both are flaws and both weaken the reader. I caution you not to fall for either trap. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #6 January 27, 2007 QuoteIt's good stuff. I need to start it again...I got through about 3/4 of it before I got distracted. Damned A.D.D.!!!let me get this straight... you made it 3/4 of the way through a 1000+ page book and are blaming it on A.D.D? I just want to make sure I'm clear here... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SBS 0 #7 January 27, 2007 You have no idea how hard I worked on it, and how much ritalin it took... _____________ I'm not conceited...I'm just realistic about my awesomeness... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #8 January 27, 2007 Rand had some very important points. Nevertheless, her books could have benefitted from some serious editing. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #9 January 27, 2007 QuoteYou have no idea how hard I worked on it, and how much ritalin it took... sorry... my bad... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SBS 0 #10 January 27, 2007 no problem...I guess I should have made a smiley face to let you know that was more light-hearted than it may have sounded. I did seriously practically snort the stuff to get through it, though. _____________ I'm not conceited...I'm just realistic about my awesomeness... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinnyshrek 0 #11 January 27, 2007 Quoteno problem...I guess I should have made a smiley face to let you know that was more light-hearted than it may have sounded. I did seriously practically snort the stuff to get through it, though. Ok how does ritalin taste to snort?lolhttp://www.skydivethefarm.com do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #12 January 27, 2007 QuoteQuoteno problem...I guess I should have made a smiley face to let you know that was more light-hearted than it may have sounded. I did seriously practically snort the stuff to get through it, though. Ok how does ritalin taste to snort?lol Maybe Shimell knows... "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #13 January 27, 2007 I am not about to "convert" to anything; I could not fathom tieing myself to one philosophy. I am just very intrigued by the book. I was never exposed to the work in either of the philosophy or literature classes I took in college. Objectivism, what I guess she calls her style, certainly does make sense in the context of this novel. The fact that every other "peoples' state" (country) in the novel seems to have already fallen to Socialism due to their own laziness ought to have wisened up the people in this book to what was happening here at home. It's deep stuff. I am on page 567 and it's small type, but I bet I finish the book by tomorrow night or the next day. I never make time to read at all unless I am away on these trips. I ought to do more of it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #14 January 27, 2007 When you get to John Galts speech, it is 15 pages (some is repetition). Marx always taught that the working classes are more essential to an economy than the middle class engineers and scientists. The basic concept of the book is the total reverse of that. That without the scientists and engineers, there would be no assembly lines. She doesn't really have any compromise position. She is more conservative than any writer or talk show host today. She also did a lot of writing, etc with Nathaniel Brandon. (edited to add) The Fountainhead is a lot more readable and is shorter. It was made into a movie during the 40s starring Gary Cooper. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #15 January 27, 2007 It's a very 'dense' read - you have to pay attention to what she's saying or you find yourself paging back to find what you missed. The Fountainhead is much the same. Discussions of her philosophical views will probably end up in SC...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The111 1 #16 January 27, 2007 Chuck, great choice! I got exposed to her stuff in high school when we had to read Anthem. It is VERY short, you can read it in an evening, but I still absolutely love it. Excellent introduction to her philosophy, but also a great fictional story. It is a futuristic dystopia (think 1984 or Brave New World) unlike her other books I've read which are more "real-world" based. I read The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged also... if you read Atlas Shrugged in a few nights my hat is off to you. It took me about 6 months during college, just kept it in my backpack and read a few pages whenever I was bored. Knowing you, Chuck, I can see why you would like her philosophy of objectivism. Your comment about not "converting" is funny. I went to an "objectivist club" meeting at my college and it was seriously CULTISH. I was freaked out but I went back to a few more just to observe how the club (which consisted of no more than 3 people) had turned her philsophy into DOGMA. I'd like to read her stuff again now that I'm older. EDIT: Guess I'll miss you in Zhills again tomorrow. I thought the last time you went to do a contract job was "the last one"? www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #17 January 27, 2007 I've been meaning to read it for a couple of years now. My queu right now is a few books deep, probably for similar reasons as your's, but I'm still gonna get to it. Good to hear several other people on here liked it too. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xenaswampjumper 0 #18 January 27, 2007 I'm impressed!!!!!! till later have fun & love each other seeya mb65johnny gates.... In skydiving, the only thing that stops you is the ground.............. PMS# 472 Muff #3863 TPM#95 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snowslider 0 #19 January 27, 2007 I'm with you, I'm a little over half way. Everyone I know personally that has read this book is for some reason doing great in life and in buisness. I wish I could afford to buy it on tape and listen to it. The last time I looked they didn't have the whole thing available at the itunes music store either, the thing probably fills a nano. "who is John Galt" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #20 January 27, 2007 Glad you liked it...I left it there last time I was there. I picked a book up and left two. I thought it was a great idea to have the book shelf there. Who is John Galt?My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #21 January 27, 2007 Damned good book, mi amigo! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumper03 0 #22 January 27, 2007 QuoteNevertheless, her books could have benefitted from some serious editing. Hear him! Hear him!! Personally I thought the book blew chunks. There may have been a good message in there, but Rand is the first person I have read that can say in 45 words something a good writer could say with 4. I found her style to be dry and really unenjoyable to read. So I never got a message.Scars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #23 January 27, 2007 I read alot of Ann Rand in my early years.I don't do alot of reading now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryanocerous 0 #24 January 27, 2007 QuoteIn Reply To Nevertheless, her books could have benefitted from some serious editing. Hear him! Hear him!! Personally I thought the book blew chunks. There may have been a good message in there, but Rand is the first person I have read that can say in 45 words something a good writer could say with 4. I found her style to be dry and really unenjoyable to read. So I never got a message. Exactly. Great works for their philosophical value, but dayam. I have a pretty good attention span, but I couldn't get through The Fountainhead after reading Atlas Shrugged. I liked Anthem. MUCH SHORTER. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #25 January 27, 2007 Agreed - hence my mention of it being a "dense" read, above. She can definitely be a difficult writer to 'get into'.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
