Now this is not just a novel, it's philosophy n you need to think n understand the characters, behavior, situations. It is a wonderful book n I can say you come across many such characters quite often but not some one like Howard Roarke, people might call him crazy, arrogant etc but my dear that's what the world does to ones who think differently. You can either love this book or hate it.

I loved it.

i remembered having heard of "atlas shrugged" years before reading it. finally, my mother actually reco'd it to me and i bought it and loved it. it's not a short book but it's worth anyone's time.
the other book in this compilation of both Rand's novels is "the fountainhead" and it's just as good, if not better. perhaps my favorite book of all time. i own a early second edition that still contains the same errors as the first edition.

atlas Shrugged changed my life giving me the philosophy to express what I knew and lived by.

If Ayn Rand were a good writer, this book is the point in her career at which she should have stopped while she was ahead. One of the greatest literary villains of all time, Ellsworth Monkton Toohey, is surrounded by typical Randian caricatures spouting stiff Randian self-idolatry.

An alternate universe in which the arts stalled creatively when Europe rediscovered Ancient Greece and Rome is projected forward to 20th Century New York. A hero arises to challenge the creative establishment. Lather on several layers of love, sex, adultery, S&M, professional competition, politics, courtroom drama, industrial espionage, social commentary, betrayal, abandonment, suffering and ultimate triumph and you have the makings of epic story telling. And did I mention Ellsworth Monkton Toohey?

Unfortunately, what you have instead is an Ayn Rand novel. Doubly unfortunately, The Fountainhead's potential for greatness will give many unsuspecting readers hope that perhaps "Atlas Shrugged" will fulfill that promise. It doesn't. Take my advise: Read "The Fountainhead" then quit while you're ahead.

dreadful tripe

A book I have read three times in my life, so far, and look forward to rereading again and again.

Total shocker I loved this book as well, right? Another great novel by in the infamous Ayn Rand. If you can enjoy the honesty of ego and are interested in her perception of what a man truly is, this is a book for you.

Picking up a battered old copy of Ayn Rand‘s "The Fountainhead" when I was twenty-nine was a life-changing experience that snapped me out of my routine-induced stagnation and reignited my thinking processes. Ayn Rand and I differ on many positions (big time!) but this tale of architect Howard Roark, the living embodiment of integrity, is a thrilling portrayal of what a human being is capable of becoming and creating. After reading this book, I put off reading Rand’s follow-up magnum opus, "Atlas Shrugged," because I wanted to delay the pleasure I knew I would receive from reading it. A couple of years later, I did read it; I laughed, I cried, I cheered. It was, in a word, awesome. Say what you want about Rand’s philosophy but give the lady her due—boy, could she write!

What I like about Rand's philosophy is her celebration of an individual's integrity, self-reliance and courage to follow his or her heart. What don't I like about Rand's philosophy? Just about everything else!

Got about a 3rd of the way through Fountainhead. In a month and a half. The book sucks, tedious mindless drivel. I've never really had a book put me to sleep until now. Seriously unimpressed.

Couldn't find just "THe Fountainhead". I was long overdue to read this having fallen in love with "Atlas Shrugged" 10 years ago. THere are few books more inspiring than this one. I feel totally understood by the author regarding my own views on what honesty and integrity mean and how society often fails to recognize true talent and instead the masses subscribe to whatever belief/talent/skill is popular at the time.

Probably 2 of the most iimportant fiction books I ever read. While I am not in agreement with Rand's philosophy all the way, the books did impress upon me the need to be true to myself, and not to long for a govermnent welfare state. Rand's characters were larger than life and I would have liked to see a film made of Atlas Shrugged, as well as The Fountainhead.