"Atlas Shrugged"
Last time I was in Chicago, I got on a train in "The Loop", to see a young girl, sitting opposite me reading a copy of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged". Sales of this classic book, first published in 1957, are going ballistic.
I first read this book in 1976, my first year out of High School. Brought up, as I was, on New Zealand welfare state socialism, free milk and a sense of eternal entitlement, it was like being hit around the head with a cricket bat.
While I think Ayn Rand's militant atheism misses the mark, her grasp of political philosophy, sociology, human nature and the principles of liberty are first rate.
As the negative effects of 100 years of "progressivism", (sent into overdrive under Obama), impact on America, "Atlas Shrugged" looks more like prophecy every day.
Anybody who believes in liberty, whether you're an atheist, agnostic, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu or Sun Worshipper should take the time to read this book.
A documentary on the novel is coming out soon.
I first read this book in 1976, my first year out of High School. Brought up, as I was, on New Zealand welfare state socialism, free milk and a sense of eternal entitlement, it was like being hit around the head with a cricket bat.
While I think Ayn Rand's militant atheism misses the mark, her grasp of political philosophy, sociology, human nature and the principles of liberty are first rate.
As the negative effects of 100 years of "progressivism", (sent into overdrive under Obama), impact on America, "Atlas Shrugged" looks more like prophecy every day.
Anybody who believes in liberty, whether you're an atheist, agnostic, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu or Sun Worshipper should take the time to read this book.
A documentary on the novel is coming out soon.
posted by Trevor Loudon at
8/08/2010 11:51:00 AM
4 Comments:
In the summer of 1963, when I was 15, I tried and failed to read Atlas Shrugged. I was, and am, a Christian. However, what stopped me was that it seemed completely beyond suspension of disbelief that our elected leaders could have such little respect for individual rights. Silly me! I recently read it, cover to cover, and except for the slightly quaint technology, it sounds as if it is a contemporary book with many real politicians thinly disguised.
I read Atlas Shrugged when I was 13and it changed my life. In my quest to discover the meaning of life it instilled in me a true affirmation of self-worth and self-reliance. I also read a lot of Cicero's writings, which helped me to understand the relationship of man with nature and God,and His gift of reason to Man, and Nature's Law, which is undeniable.
I think you have to be a complete idiot to read this book and not have it change your life. I am still in awe of it today, and remain forever grateful to Ayn Rand. It takes someone who has actually lived in a communist country to really have a solid understanding of communism. This transformation has been in the making for a long time; Ayn even warned us that they were here. I was born in communist Cuba, and was fortunate to have been educated on the communist ideology by my parents. Talk with anyone who has lived in a communist counrty and they will tell you that Obama is a communist...I knew Obama's rhetoric for what it was at the beginning of his campaign, and was very frustrated that most people just had no clue. Many people still don't want to face reality, but they better get their heads out of the sand because this reality is not going to go away. Stay informed, donate to candidates, and go out and vote while we still have a chance to change this country back without bloodshed. Because yes,...I did grow hearing my daddy warn me that there was going to be a revolution in this country. I pray that it will be peaceful.
3 years ago, at the age of 38, I first HEARD of Atlas Shrugged! I have always loved books, but I thought I was a Democrat and I ran in those circles, which is the only way I can explain how I never heard of the book as I've always been an avid reader. I loved Glenn Beck at the time, although I described him as "too conservative and too religeous" for me. I read Atlas Shrugged and it CHANGED MY LIFE! It forced me to stand outside my supposed beliefs and look in. I realized that I didn't even agree with my own beliefs but followed them because I'd been shamed into thinking that it was selfish and mean to love individuality. I was typical of my generation in that I thought that being a Democrat was the "cool" political point of view. I couldn't be hip and modern unless I was a Democrat.
After reading Atlas Shrugged I knew that I'd never be a G.O.P. member, but that I'd probably always consider myself a libertarian. My liberal British husband has been mortified in view of my political awakening. He was raised to think that the government's job is to take care of its people. His parents taught him to HATE Margaret Thatcher and everything conservative. He now calls me a "redneck" and a "right-winger" even though he knows better than anyone in the whole world who I truly am. He refuses to read Atlas Shrugged or even have a conversation with me about why my politics have changed. I love him and will continue to try to keep my politics separate from my marriage, but my outlook will forever be changed and enlightened. I'm very thankful for Atlas Shrugged. I will be making sure that my sons read it and are brought up appreciating their own individuality and freedom.
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