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Atlas Shrugged Audiobook
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(3.00) - 147,842 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
"Who is John Galt?"
Undoubtedly Ayn Rand's crowning literary achievement, Atlas Shrugged was a veritable tour de force when it was initially published in 1957. Offering a wellspring of new ideas and innovative thinking it outlined Rand's objectivist philosophy eloquently and powerfully.
Set in a dystopian future, Atlas Shrugged lays out Rand's vision though the fictional account of a collapsing U.S. economy assisted by backward governmental policies and an assortment of characters who work to stop the country's decline - Dagny Taggart, Vice President of Taggart Transcontinental, who fights to keep the railroad company founded by her grandfather alive; Dagny's brother, James Taggart, the President of the company who is unwilling to make the tough decisions necessary for its survival; and Hank Rearden, head of Rearden Steel, who dares to buck the system in his quest for the success of Rearden Metal - his specially developed metal alloy which has inspired jealousy and anger among his competitors. When they attempt to constrain his success though treachery and governmental intervention a chain of events is set in place that changes the lives of everyone involved.
Larger than life and singularly thought-provoking Atlas Shrugged effectively blends elements of economic philosophy, romance, mystery and science fiction into an incredible story that truly grabs you and doesn't let go until the book's final pages.
"This book is a classic. I know The Fountainhead is her more popular book, but Atlas Shrugged had more of a story. Both novels serve as vehicles to expound Ayn Rand's philosophy, but to me Atlas Shrugged had a better story. Granted, you will be bludgeoned over the head with her philosophy for much of the book, and her page-long paragraphs would never fly nowadays, but when you wade through, it's a great read. I've read the book three or four times over the years and still enjoy it. Her characters are either strong, captain-of-industry types or leaches with no backbones. There seem to be no characters in between. So in some ways there is a black-and-white aspect to her story. Still, I understand she is trying to make a point, and my comments aren't a criticism. It's still a fascinating, entertaining novel and also a cautionary tale. You won't regret reading this novel, a classic of American fiction."
— Michael (5 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
Peopled by larger-than-life heroes and villains, charged with towering questions of good and evil, Atlas Shrugged is Ayn Rand’s magnum opus: a philosophical revolution told in the form of an action thriller—nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.
Atlas Shrugged is the "second most influential book for Americans today" after the Bible, according to a joint survey of five thousand people conducted by the Library of Congress and the Book of the Month Club in 1991.
In a scrap heap within an abandoned factory, the greatest invention in history lies dormant and unused. By what fatal error of judgment has its value gone unrecognized, its brilliant inventor punished rather than rewarded for his efforts?
This is the story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world—and did. In defense of those greatest of human qualities that have made civilization possible, he sets out to show what would happen to the world if all the heroes of innovation and industry went on strike. Is he a destroyer or a liberator? Why does he have to fight his battle not against his enemies but against those who need him most? Why does he fight his hardest battle against the woman he loves? The answers will be revealed once you discover the reason behind the baffling events that wreak havoc on the lives of the amazing men and women in this remarkable book.
Tremendous in scope and breathtaking in its suspense, Atlas Shrugged is Ayn Rand's magnum opus, which launched an ideology and a movement. With the publication of this work in 1957, Rand gained an instant following and became a phenomenon. Atlas Shrugged emerged as a premier moral apologia for capitalism, a defense that had an electrifying effect on millions of readers (and now listeners) who had never heard capitalism defended in other than technical terms.
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Quotes
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“[A] vibrant and powerful novel of ideas.”
— New York Herald Tribune -
“Ayn Rand is destined to rank in history as the outstanding novelist and most profound philosopher of the twentieth century.”
— New York Daily Mirror -
“Narrator Scott Brick takes listeners on a journey so extraordinary they’ll hardly notice the book’s length. While his performance offers little in the way of theatrics, Brick is capable of garnering sympathy and, perhaps most importantly, devout attention for Rand’s plot and characters. On the surface, Brick’s voice is a cool, unrelenting force determined to capture every facet of Rand’s complex story. But amid his calm and collected delivery, he taps into a more colorful emotional palette that will keep listeners involved. Brick’s subtle delivery holds far more than meets the ear.”
— AudioFile -
“Atlas Shrugged is not merely a novel. It is also—or may I say: first of all—a cogent analysis of the evils that plague our society.”
— Ludwig von Mises, economist and historian -
“Countless individuals working to secure liberty have found inspiration in the works of Ayn Rand. With her unique ability to depict heroism, idealism, and romance behind the creativity of the individual, Rand inspires readers to come to the defense of free minds and free markets.”
— Chip Mellor, Institute for Justice
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A 1958 National Book Award Finalist
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A Washington Post Pick of Novels That Changed the Way We Live
Atlas Shrugged Listener Reviews
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Samuel Summers, 12/6/2022
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Joe Crill, 9/19/2022
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KRW, 3/18/2021
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" Very little about this book was "meh." The premise, writing style, and morals were an oil-and-water combination of things I found inspiring and things I found repulsive. So, from start to finish, I couldn't make up my mind if I actually liked it or not. Greater character complexity would have helped a good deal. Caricatures are fine for shorter works when the author has to get a point across quickly but not for a novel of this thickness. The story shines a much-needed light on some uncomfortable practical truths on how the world works. But, also pointedly leaves some relevant questions unanswered by creating a complicated disaster and offering a simple solution. I’m glad I finished it but I don’t think I’d recommend it. "
— Jenna McKenzie, 6/17/2019 -
" Very little about this book was "meh." The premise, writing style, and morals were an oil-and-water combination of things I found inspiring and things I found repulsive. So, from start to finish, I couldn't make up my mind if I actually liked it or not. Greater character complexity would have helped a great deal. Caricatures are fine for shorter works when the author has to get a point across quickly but not for a novel of this thickness. The story shines a much-needed light on some uncomfortable practical truths on how the world works. But, also pointedly leaves some relevant questions unanswered by creating a complicated disaster and offering a simple solution. I’m glad I finished it but I don’t think I’d recommend it. "
— Jenna, 6/16/2019 -
" Should be mandatory reading. This book digs into so many issues that are just as relevant today as when it was first released. Rand eloquently, though sometimes with a few too many words, reveals true good and evil in man. Much like today, mediocrity is revered, while independence and conviction are looked at with disdain. Characters are painted so vividly, that you'll find yourself silently cheering or sneering as they speak. Few books evoke this level of raw emotion, or compel the reader to see the world with clearer eyes, as this does. "
— Susan, 2/18/2014 -
" My favorite fiction book of all time - by a huge margin. I will write a review that does it justice when the time is right. Ayn Rand is a genius. "
— Jason, 2/12/2014 -
" love this book. Finished in 3 days. "
— Aimuldir, 2/7/2014 -
" I wished that I had read the abridged version of this book. The verbosity of this unabridged book seems to indicate that its editors went on strike. (This is a joke that you only get if you have read the book.) I liked the story and appreciated the points/morality of the book, it was TOO long and rambling. "
— Kasey, 2/5/2014 -
" I found Atlas Shrugged to be very interesting, though repetitive. Ayn Rand's philosophy, which has many aspects that appeal to me, is not applicable in our world. Not only that, but she disregards basic anthropological ideas when discussing the human mind. Her characters are either perfect and infallibly good or stupid and evil. This makes them unbelievable. I did find myself interested in the actual story, though the monologues, particularly the 70-page one, were grueling and consisted of her characters talking about ideas she had previously expressed. I did enjoy the omniscient narrator- different perspectives made the book more interesting than it would've been with only one. "
— Margaret, 2/3/2014 -
" An incredibly simple book. Black/White. Good/Bad. You can guess everything that happens approximately 100 pages before it does. "
— Lars, 2/1/2014 -
" Interesting book minus the hussie who sleeps with every man in the book. "
— Casey, 1/23/2014 -
" I read this so so long ago. I remember it getting me to think, and I enjoyed it. To be honest, I don't remember too many details. I might have to read it again. "
— Tim, 1/19/2014 -
" If you don't know who Rand is, this is the place to start. "
— Tania, 1/17/2014 -
" Phenomenal. I've read it twice. "
— Helen, 12/10/2013 -
" Good read. Could have been about 100 pages shorter. "
— Marc, 12/7/2013 -
" It could have been in 200 pages. "
— Mike, 10/21/2013 -
" Was an extremely interesting to read Atlas Shrugged. Was my first glimpse into objectivism. Her Individualism has a special draw to it. Processing her work. Always love asking the question "What does it mean to be human being?" Rand Answer in fascinating, still processing, seams slightly incomplete. "
— Forrest, 10/17/2013 -
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Paul, 6/18/2013
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" Not sure if anything I can say will do this book justice. Enjoyed the concept and the ending made the 1100 pages worth it. "
— Ashley, 3/14/2013 -
" Yikes. I hope we do not have to go this far over a cliff to see how dangerous a rejection of logic can be. "
— Krisc5, 3/11/2013 -
" Too long but thought provoking. "
— Luann, 1/24/2013 -
" You can tell a lot about a person by how they feel about this book. "
— Ken, 12/24/2012 -
" This is probably my favorite book of all time. It makes me want to change the world. "
— Brooke, 12/6/2012 -
" The book was good. Not a believer in the philosophy. "
— Denise, 11/22/2012 -
" The best piece of literature I have ever read. Frightening considering our current state of affairs in the USA. "
— Tim, 12/10/2011 -
" It's just one if the best books, I've ever read. I think, it will be my personal bible now. Highly recommended for each intellectual person! "
— Olga, 10/29/2011 -
" loved the book and the thought behind the words. i was dreaming words form this book for days (literally reading the book again in my dreams) "
— Chubby, 7/5/2011 -
" I dont care who John Galt is!!! "
— Steven, 6/30/2011 -
" I feel honored to have stepped into Ayn's world and to have experienced her passion for capitalism. "
— Michael, 6/30/2011 -
" So far a good read and interesting! "
— Rick, 6/30/2011 -
" Should be required reading for all Americans! "
— Leekwhittle, 6/30/2011 -
" So many bad reviews from the liberal end of the political spectrum, and I can understand why (myself leaning towards the left). I might not fully agree with her views, but I found the book strangely absorbing and thought it was a good read. "
— Chi, 6/29/2011 -
" Intellectually bankrupt and outright offensive piece of trash. Never have I seen a straw-man so artfully constructed. Dangerous to impressionable teenage girls and oafish Republicans. "
— Westonia1989, 6/28/2011 -
" Way too long. Offers the best case for radical libertarianism I've encountered. But of course, the book is fiction. "
— Michael, 6/27/2011 -
" This book changed my life back in college. I've since changed a lot of my opinions about Ayn Rand's life philosophy, but I still love her writing and think she has valid points about a lot of humanity's condition. "
— Laurie, 6/27/2011 -
" I really liked it. "Who is John Galt?" This book has a lot of political theory, and a lot of common sense that people seem to have lost today. Enthusiastic recommendation for any patient reader! "
— Jan, 6/27/2011 -
" While I don't agree with her philosophy, this has always been one of my favorite books. I am planning a re-read this year. "
— Brenda, 6/26/2011 -
" It's a good story, captivating, well written. I couldn't disagree more with the philosophy it espouses. "
— Kay, 6/24/2011 -
" It's quite possible that this is the book got me interested in reading! I read it for a second time a couple of years later and loved it just as much then. Dagny, Reardon, and John Galt are forever etched in my mind. It was a pivotal book for me. Thank you Ayn Rand. "
— Luanne, 6/24/2011 -
" Enjoyed the characters but would not want to live in such a world. "
— Devi, 6/24/2011 -
" Loved first half of book. Second half was frustrating. The characters started betraying their own ideals in their own unique ways. "
— Allison, 6/23/2011
About Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand (1905–1982) was born in Russia, graduated from the University of Leningrad, and came to the United States in 1926. She published her first novel in 1936. With the publication of The Fountainhead in 1943, she achieved a spectacular and enduring success, and her unique philosophy, Objectivism, gained a worldwide following.
About Scott Brick
Scott Brick, an acclaimed voice artist, screenwriter, and actor, has performed on film, television, and radio. He attended UCLA and spent ten years in a traveling Shakespeare company. Passionate about the spoken word, he has narrated a wide variety of audiobooks. winning won more than fifty AudioFile Earphones Awards and several of the prestigious Audie Awards. He was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine and the Voice of Choice for 2016 by Booklist magazine.