Personal+Review

Do I think that you should read Atlas Shrugged?

Damn Straight I do! Atlas shrugged is a mind bender of a novel. Incredibly imposing yet immensely satisfying, Ayn Rand's writing style won me over from the moment I began to read. The Russian born author is incredibly descriptive, and somehow makes a tale that seems archaic in terms of present technology levels relevant and pressing. It's an eerie echo of modern times. You all know me; I'm a hyper conservative promoter of freedom and liberty, a champion of Capitalism and a hater of Communism. So when I picked up Atlas Shrugged, I knew what I was getting into. The 1169 page epic is nothing to scoff at. But I found my self mesmerized by the words on the page. It all seemed so close to home. I couldn't put the book down. Every chapter was more of Dagny's heroic attempt to support America in dire times, no matter what was put in her way. Time and time again it seemed as if she was going succeed, but at the last second the government, now controlled by a series of fascist pseudo-industrialists would get in her way. I was devastated as I watched the nation crumble, all while the cryptic line "Who is John Galt?" rang in my ears.

I want you to believe me. If you can get over your initial terror at reading this massive novel and breach that initial starting gap you won't be able to set this down. I say this with the fact that you have an interest in economics, America, and communism based topics. The heavy focus on mining, machinery, and physical technologies is a little over the top, but it blends in so well with the driving characters in the novel you won't care. I would who heartedly recommend this novel to anyone. Give Atlas Shrugged a little bit of patience and it will grow on you till it's all you'll think about in your free time. The characters are well defined, larger than life representations of all that is good, and you just want to see yourself there next to them.