read Atlas Shrugged

I’m nearly halfway through. It’s fascinating, and I like a lot of what Ayn Rand was trying to say. People who take genuine pride in their work and do it well SHOULD be rewarded, not punished for it. Powerful people can and do pull strings in government to pass unjust, stifling laws.

However, I think Rand is more than a little high handed with her philosophies. Her answer to one extreme is yet another extreme. In fact, the novel seems to have nothing BUT extremes. On the one hand you have slack-jawed nincompoops who refuse to take personal responsibility, prattle on about the virtues of giving to the undeserving, and sneer hatefully at anyone who has more money/success/balls than they do. On the other hand you have the steely-eyed heroes who are rigid, driven, obsessed with industry, think any form of charity is evil, and have unbridled disdain for lesser mortals. There’s not much in between. I’m left with the impression that Rand was uncompromising and contemptuous of anyone who didn’t completely accept the philosophy she preaches here.

This book is pretty amazing. I’ve made it a goal to read two chapters a day, and now I’m around page 700 something. It’s gone by really quickly for me because it’s so facsinating. Also, I’ve been reading the summaries on each chapter from sparknotes afterwards just to make sure I’ve read the plot right, and I can understand what happens next.

I’m doing a paper on this, and there’s SO much material to use in it. Rand sure knows how to get a point across. My advice to anyone so far who has to write an essay on it, like me, DON’T use sparknotes for anything other than the summary. I read some of the other things like, symbols, motifs, and themes, and they’re very canned and not very comprehensive and in depth on sparknotes.

The best way to man through the critical thinking and philosophy in this one, is to ask yourself questions like, What’s the difference between x and y character’s philosophies? Where can you find proof in the text? etc.

I read some background on Rand from various sites, and I’ve read that a lot of literary critics don’t even consider her work, but I couldn’t understand the reason why. Could someone explain what they think is wrong with her work to me, and why?

I finally got started with reading. I haven’t done much yet though, only about 50 pages. I can already tell that the book will hold my attention though.

Yeah. I get it. The book is worth reading. But how to find the time to devote to such a thick ass book? Well I guess I oughta just give it a go at some point. A good start would actually be obtaining the book used through an online retailer. That’s where I’m headed now…see ya!

I bought a copy of the book. Now, I just have to get motivated to start reading. I might wait until summer so that my law schools studies don’t interfere. I am working as a clerk out of town, so I am sure I will have plenty of free time then.

Bought it!!! Commence reading!

god I sound lame....

As part of my goals, I think I will set this as a reward for accomplishing them in a reasonable time frame that I set. One step at a time.

I thought this book was unapproachable. I psyched to hear it has been so motivational to some people. I will surely add it to my list and read a bit at a time. I think this would be a great book to leave my message in! Two goals in one!

I started last night :)

So i started doing this a couple times but i keep getting side tracked and just give up after a while. This time i have to stick with it.