<p>Great article on today’s WSJ editorial page about Ayn Rand’s seminal work, Atlas Shrugged. Still popular after all these years and a guiding light for many of America’s corporate leaders, this is my favorite book with my absolute favorite character, Dagny Taggart. </p>
<p>Check out David Kelley’s column in the Journal and, if you have not read it, pick up a copy of the book enjoy its 1000+ fabulous pages.</p>
<p>My HS Physics teacher gave me this book to read back in 1976 and the impact on me was great. Rand was a great writer with an important story to tell. I wish people could read her work without political prejudice and understand how she valued freedom and striving to achieve your personal best.</p>
<p>How timely. My husband just found his old copy of the book in a box in the basement this past weekend and brought it up to go on his bookshelf. We met while he was reading the book 36 years ago and he insisted I read it then so we could discuss it.</p>
<p>Sorry, not a Rand fan here. She may have an important story to tell, but her style makes me wince, and I could never really get past that. Over the top? Little bit.</p>
<p>D read it a year ago. She was so blown away by it (and it displaced some pretty big ones on her “favorite books” list) that I read it, too. Although being more seasoned and experienced, I wasn’t quite as moved as she was, I do agree that it is a great book. I like Rand’s style, but Dagny Taggart’s attitudes towards her sexuality were one thing that annoyed me about the book. By the way, how do you pronounce Rand’s first name?</p>
<p>I believe it should be pronounced to rhyme with “mine”.</p>
<p>The WSJ editiorial is great. The book made a huge impact on me back in “the day”. It also is my son’s favorite. However, Rand is NOT a good writer. It is the message that is so compelling. I really bought into the whole “virtue of selfishness” thing and wore a dollar sign charm for many years. I have had to modify somewhat in order to live in society. 
(I guess I’m a sell-out)</p>
<p>Atlas Shrugged had an enormous impact on me as a college kid. Never wore a dollar sign charm, though!</p>
<p>Funny story: I wanted to introduce D to Rand, so I gave her Anthem. Her reaction – “It’s a rip-off of The Giver.”</p>
<p>My D is named after a character in a Rand book (one of the “lesser” ones)- we liked the name!</p>
<p>Kira? I considered that one. Named her after my mom instead.</p>
<p>The book made such an impression on me in the late 70s, that I had “Who Is John Galt?” inscribed on the inside of my AFA graduation ring.</p>
<p>Probably not to English lit fans, but to me and other Rand fans, </p>
<p>“Who is John Galt?”</p>
<p>probably ranks up there with “It was the best of times, it was the best of times” </p>
<p>and definitely ahead of “Call me Ishmael”</p>
<p>I dunno, MOWC, seems to me a dollar sign charm would fit into today’s society just fine.</p>
<p>I’ll admit, I haven’t read Rand. So, I’m sure it’s more subtle than it sounds, but an affinity for the “virtue of selfishness” seems pretty rampant, too.</p>
<p>Shrug. “Might Makes Right,” transposed.</p>
<p>I haven’t read Rand, but I am starting to think that turning 50 is going to be pretty cool. There have been so many 50th annivs. in the news lately - Sputnik, West Side Story, etc.-that I’m not dreading it so much any more.</p>
<p>garland,
I would say it’s not subtle at all. In fact, it is refreshingly clear. IMO, that is part of the reason why the book reasonates with so many people. It probably had a more profound impact on readers during the heydays of communism and socialism. But it is still worthwhile reading for the first or even the fifth time.</p>
<p>No, I guess it’s not subtle. I thought it might be more complex than what I imagined–and again, I’m not surprised that selfishness resonates with so many people; i just don’t see why they need a book to tell them so. Or permission to act on an “I-got-mine” mindset.</p>
<p>As Thedad says, “shrug”.</p>
<p>Garland, you should read it. It truly IS more complex than a simple “I got mine” mindset. I think the number of true followers of Rand & Objectivism is pretty small. Nonetheless, it’s a fascinating read, and it was certainly a groundbreaking book in its day.</p>
<p>I dunno, SS. I adore and admire MOWC, but anything that made her sport a dollar sign charm is really, really unlikely to appeal to me.</p>
<p>And i ran into a true Objectivist in my Ethics class back in college, and he kind of baffled me. We disagreed on the old scenario–if you see someone drowning, and you can save him with absolutely no risk to yourself, are you obligated to? He said no, I said yes, and, for me, the difference of opinion is rooted in a world view and a definition of what it means to be human.</p>
<p>Rand & Objectivism don’t square with Catholicism, either! Believe me, I wasn’t tempted to march blindly behind that gang, but her books really shed new light on the inherent problems of socialism, collectivism, & communism and exposed them as soul-sucking empty philosophies. Also helped me to greater appreciate those who strive for excellence in all endeavors & view that as a higher good.</p>