Our First FReeper Book Club: Atlas Shrugged

A Publius Essay | 15 January 2009 | Publius

[Doomonyou]

Are you in?

I'm in.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Yes. Again, not my favorite. I liked Fountainhead, loved Atlas, but Anthemn and We, the Living just about buried me. I get so involved. I’m a wimp. I can take the speeches in Atlas, I can weep over Pearl Buck, but the hopelessness of man just about put the last nail in the coffin.

[Publius]

In The Devil's Advocate, the US is now "The Democracy", the Republican Party has been outlawed, the Stars and Stripes have been replaced by the Red Star and the Constitution has been abrogated and banned.

A small secret group of people called the Minute Men infiltrate the government and oppress the American people until they are ready to rebel and restore the Republic, all the time knowing that the angry populace will kill them, and their heroism will never be known.

I first read it about 40 years ago and just recently re-read it.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Ping me when you’re ready.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

I must not have read it, although the title just sticks in my head. At this point in life, I’m lucky I can remember my passwords for all the various crap I need them for. Trying to remember that far back in my life is like trying to remember another person’s childhood — not very easy.

I know I went through stuff, I know I read stuff, but MAN, it’s like I’m seeing in now as someone else, if you know what I mean — if you don’t, I understand completely.

[cyborg]

I would like to be added to your book club list

[ElayneJ]

I’m in. Huge Ayn Rand fan here. I’m astonished at how closely life is imitating art with Atlas.
This is a good idea!

[ElayneJ]

I’m in. Huge Ayn Rand fan here. I’m astonished at how closely life is imitating art with Atlas.
This is a good idea!

[NewJerseyJoe]

Atlas Shrugged is the playbook for the next four years.
For both sides.

[George Smiley]

That's a toughie. He's never written a BAD book, although some are more arcane than others.

A Conflict of Visions if you want to see the philosophical underpinnings of liberal vs. conservative.

Vision of the Anointed is the practicum which was based on ACoV.

[KeepingFaith]

Please add me to the ping list. Thanks!

[Nonperson]

A Week in Galt's Gulch.

[JoeA]

Ping me, please.

[arbee4bush]

Count me in, please. I just started it for the first time right after the election in Nov. Put it down to read some Christmas gifts (Michael Barone’s “Our First Revolution” and others). Will tag along for the comments. Thanks

[Perfesser]

I first read Atlas Shrugged when I was 22 (46 years ago) and several times since. Learn something new every time. Sign me up.

[whodathunkit]

WWJGD ?

Add me to the list.

[Andonius_99]

Sign me up! I read the book once. Right now, I don’t have much time to read, but I listen to the audio book over and over while at work. I’m in the middle of Galt’s speech as we speak.

[MarkL]

Are you in?

I don't think so.

Mark

[Andonius_99]

Rutger Hauer as Ragnar Danneskjöld

I think Matt Letscher from the first Zorro movie would be a better pick for Danneskjöld.

[ronnied]

Please add me to this ping list.