Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.?

Question

Why do people say this is such a good book? Also does it have some kind of political message?

Answer 1

As with most books that are considered good (and as noted in other answers, opinions vary), Atlas Shrugged is doubtlessly liked by different people for different reasons.  For myself, I enjoyed reading about the application of the philosophy outlined in the book, albeit in a rather extreme context.  I also enjoyed the heroic characters of the story - Taggart, Reardon, D'Anconia, Galt, etc. - and the idea underlying the story itself.

Atlas Shrugged definitely carries a political message with it.  Rand was an advocate of laissez-faire capitalism and a hands-off view of the rightful role of government.  She makes no bones about this in her philosophy, and Atlas Shrugged is loaded with examples of how government improperly interferes with individual rights.

Thank you for the question.

Answer 2

Opinion of "Atlas Shrugged" is by no means universal. When it was published, conservative commentator Whitaker Chambers wrote in  "National Review," "From almost any page of Atlas Shrugged, a voice can be heard, from painful necessity, commanding: “To a gas chamber — go!”

Answer 3

John Galt's speech is the whole point of the entire book. If you skip it you are not doing yourself a favor.  

The book is good because it makes some very well thought out arguments about the way life should be lived and the value of personal responsiblilty. Ayn Rand grew up in communist Russia and most of her ideas come from her loathing for their political system. According to her philosophy capitalism is the highest moral ideal a society can obtain. Even if you don't agree with all that she says it is a wonderful book because it makes you think very hard about alot of different things.  

Answer 4

It's message is more of a moral one than strictly political.  Ayn Rand basically started the objectivism movement with her books.  While the message itself is not one most people would accept in all situations, the book itself is compelling, well-written, and one of my favorites.  Just skip over the longer parts where John Galt is speaking, and you'll probably like it too.

Answer 5

I didn't think it was that great. The book was a giant rant, and the 50 page speech at the end was unbearable.