Posted on 11/12/2013 11:29:26 AM PST by Publius
Who is John Galt?: A Navigational Guide to Ayn Rands Atlas Shrugged is now available at Amazon. Click here for a link to the book. This book is the result of our first FReeper Book Club.
In recent press articles and among the general public, there is a sense that Ayn Rands monumental Atlas Shrugged is a prophetic work, accurately predicting the Great Recession and the path on which Americas economy and society are set. But Atlas Shrugged is a difficult book to read. Many are daunted by its extreme length, Rands prose style, interminable speeches where the action stops cold, the authors atheism, and the sexuality of its characters. Rand references economists and philosophers such as Smith, Mill, Marx, Nietzsche and Aristotle without attribution. As a result, much of Rands message goes over the head of the average reader.
This makes it difficult for the reader to understand the main point of Rands book: precisely what is it that happens when Atlas shrugs, and how does a society change over the course of that event? Is it merely fiction, or is Atlas shrugging now?
The purpose of this book is to simplify the readers task in understanding what Rand is saying and the philosophical and economic sources she mined. With increased interest in Rands book on the part of book clubs, reading circles, and now a three-part movie, this book will aid casual and serious readers, book clubs, high school and college classes, moviegoers, and home-schoolers to master Rands work.
There are 30 chapters, each one matched to the 30 chapters Rand utilized for Atlas Shrugged. Each chapter starts with a synopsis and detailed discussion of Rands source material and the points she wishes to make. There may be one or more essays explaining arcane points of railroading, American society of the Fifties, or historical characters thinly disguised by Rand for the book. Rather than didactically draw open parallels to current events, each chapter closes with discussion topics posed to the reader, class or book club to encourage independent thought.
This book will be an outstanding aid to comprehending one of the most discussed books of this era.
As I recall, he figured out that the Master of Ritual job was the key, and he took over once he got it.
TAXMAN BRAVO ZULU!
I look forward to reading it!
PS I hope you make enough money to buy a new pickup truck, and a lot more beer!
The beer, yes, but I was thinking more in the line of a gas guzzling SUV.
He is that monstrum horrendum, an unprincipled man of genius.
Interesting. I just happen to be reading that currently. I love Rand’s wordcraft, she certainly can turn a beautiful phrase. Some of the chick stuff gets a little old, but reading that tome has certainly convinced me she had a time machine and spent some time here, right now ;)
I’ll grab a copy of what you boys have wrought, be in helpful to get other opinions about some of her work.
Nah, check these first.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/621750/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/593079/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/734894/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/561616/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2760751/posts?page=60#60
The Internet is forever.
Well, I hope you guys make a million dollars. I was part of your Book Club back then, but not as Steerpike. It was very well done.
I look forward to re-reading the book.
Congrats to both of you. You deserve more than one bump.
5.56mm
5.56mm
5x5
5.56mm
Publius, you are way too modest!
It is a great companion to Rand's book. I would also recommend it as a quick refresh for those who simply don't have time to reread the novel.
I did order from Amazon and was very pleased with the layout and content. Though it will make a very helpful aid when used as a companion to Atlas Shrugged it is my opinion that, having previously read the novel, it can be read independently as well. The flow of the story is preserved and characters and details presented in such a manner that I was recalling much that had begun to fade from memory.
"Who is John Galt?" will be a buffer to the sometimes dated, perhaps abrasive and long winded style that Rand used.
The Authors skillfully guide a reader over the sharp edges and deep holes of Rands narrative while examining the philosophical impact of Her motives. Rands detractors have used these inconsistencies to obscure and belittle Objectivism since Atlas was first printed. With an understanding of the context in which Atlas Shrugged was written, it is much easier to identify the key elements of the philosophy presented.
Well done, Sirs! Well done.
Bless you!
Many thanks - probably working late tonight again so I’ll give this one an occasional bumperoo...
Well, ya know I bought mine the day after you announced it was (finally) available. :)
After I got over my dissappointment at the lack of Bill’s head on Schwarzenegger’s frame with broadswords & dragons on the cover I was still greatly impressed & appreciate your works! ;-}
Thank you. You may have been our first customer!
I saw this on Amazon and wondered if it was from you and Billthedrill. This will be a must buy for me. I will get an extra copy at least for a Christmas present.
Good luck with this.
Thank you. It’s the perfect Christmas gift for people who tried to read “Atlas” and gave up.
Is there a prize for that? LOL
So...are you going to publish the Federalist Papers? Just wondering as I oft do...:)
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