I support the arts, but I don't think that people should suffer because of some artistic ideal. We are on this earth to be kind to each other, not to subjugate people. I think this book is a rationalization for abusing people so that a beautiful city can be enjoyed (mostly by wealthy people). Sure, a blue-collar worker might say, that's a great-looking building I just helped create, but if he can't pay for his kid's doctor bills, that's not right.
There were certain parts of the book where I was drawn into the plot, but overall, it is very repetitive. The characters are so unidimensional that they are not realistic and cannot engender sympathy.
It saddens me that Rand has so many supporters. I wonder if they enjoy this book because they can be selfish, yet falsely wrap themselves in the cloak of idealism. True nobility comes from making positive connections with people and protecting the earth. Trying to mold the world into a vision of beauty at any expense is harmful to people and our home.

I haven't finished reading this book yet (Atlas Shrugged) but can not say enough about it. Absolutely love it!! Everything I ever wanted to put into words is right there in the book. It's interesting especially to know that Ayn Rand has immigrated from Russia escaping communism. She did not even have to live in that socialist regime, unlike me, to know what it would be like. Some descriptions in the book, such as what happend when one factory went all socialist, is an embodiment of what the former Soviet society was. It's funny and it's sad and I wish everyone, especially people who constantly whine about everyone having to help others and other socialist garbage, would read this book first. When you are not responsible for yourself and your destiny, when you rely on society to support you, when you feel that it is your G-d given right to be taken care of by others, you are less than human.

So finished the book!! Expected the ending to be a little more dreary than it was, but then millions of people dying is of course a bit dreary. On to Fountainhead.

I haven't read Atlas Shrugged, but I'm halfway through the Fountainhead... wow.

One of the greatest books of the 20th century for sure.

These books challenged many of my beliefs. They are a good read, even if you don't agree with all of her ideas. However, I don't understand why so many high schools have their students read them--the philosophies expressed are too big for people with so little life experience. If you read them then, pick up the books and try again. You'll understand this time.

So... much... propaganda. 1) In the words of an anonymous wise reviewer: "Eventually, the question you ask stops being 'Who is John Galt?' and becomes 'When will John Galt shut up?" No one wants to read over 60 pages of a radio speech, especially about politics. 2) Rape and theft are not OK, not even for capitalists. 3) If all of the protagonists are beautiful and the antagonists are slimy, suspicious characters (or just plain dumb), there is a problem. As one can see, I GREATLY disliked these books.

Ayn Rand is amazing. This is my favorite book. Stay strong during the 50 page monologue (it is okay to skip a couple of pages)

Both books are Utterly profoundly important, and beautifully crafted, hence I've given it a 5 however, I think rand could have wrapped this up in 2 or 3 hundred fewer pages because it's very much drawnout in the second half.

Still, IT MUST BE READ BY ALL.

I wish I had read this book as a teenager, while I was still contemplating life and a career. A friend's brother touted this book as a life changer... and he was right!

One of the few books (Atlas Shrugged) that I have read more than twice.

excellent

Atlas Shrugged has always been my favorite book ever. It really did change the way I view the world. It put things in perspective.