Ayn Rand

eh... i found a few, but nothing major. Alot of people complain about her. For some reason I enjoy her style of writing, the people in her books just seem like more than people they are embodyments of ideas and ideals. I dont know why I seem to like it.

The Objectivist movement reminds me in many ways of the Transcendentalists: both were extremely popular during their time, but had all but vanished from the map 30 years later.

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Originally Posted by jessezzel

eh... i found a few, but nothing major. Alot of people complain about her. For some reason I enjoy her style of writing, the people in her books just seem like more than people they are embodyments of ideas and ideals. I dont know why I seem to like it.

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I know what you mean, in many books I'll come across a character and think "I know that person".

While I don't subscribe to her philosophies I do like her books, I can't help but wonder though if they wouldn't have been better without her trying to beat us over the head with her philosophy.

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Originally Posted by Ryduce

Hey I was just wondering which One of the Ayn Rand books would you recommend,or which would you consider the best.My library pretty much sucks,but they have an infinite supply of Ayn Rand.So for future reference it would be nice to know where to start.

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My answer to you would be...

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"If you want my advice, Peter," he said at last, "you've made a mistake already. By asking me. By asking anyone. Never ask people. Not about your work. Don't you know what you want? How can you stand it, not to know?"

"You see, that's what I admire about you, Howard. You always know."

"Drop the compliments."

"But I mean it. How do you always manage to decide?"

"How can you let others decide for you?"

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:brow:

From The Fountainhead.

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Originally Posted by Diceman

I agree with Rand's premise. I don't agree with her conclusion.

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Me too. One of the problems with Rand's ethical egoism is that we don't all 'start from the same position'. Another is that we can have problems, bad times etc. and a just society needs to recognise that. I think that she is loathsome.

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Originally Posted by genoveva

We the Living is also her first novel.

I read once, somewhere, that Atlas Shrugged was second to the Bible as being the most influencial book. For what that's worth...

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Nonsense! Perhaps amongst American Ultra Capitalists. She was a footnote when I was studying Philosophy.





Pedants Corner: influential

Objectivism is a nice concept, on paper. It's also a very nice ideal for the individual. Yes, I will do what I can to take care of myself, using my mind and my body, and if everybody does the same, people will flourish. At least those who are of sound enough mind and body to flourish, that is.

And this is where the concept begins to break apart. Objectivism, or capitalism for that matter, are not systems by which a social construct can be managed. Unless you truly believe that the herd is for culling, then you cannot believe that government can be conducted by a society of individuals.

Sorry, I advise you to read a different author. There's a good reason as to why her fans are called Randroids. They are my natural enemies.

Philosophy can be dangerous in the wrong hands.

the fountainhead was great, but with atlas shurgged i think rand went overboard and ultimately exterminated whatever appeal her so-called philosophy had upon me. If you're planning to read rand then begin and end with the fountainhead, you won't feel betrayed later on.

I have only read "Anthem," and I really enjoyed it.
I hope you give it a try!

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Originally Posted by Analfabeta

Hello. First let me say that I'm new here (and I'm fairly new at posting messages in general). Please, be kind.

Anyway, I'm thinking about reading a work by Ayn Rand and, from what I've seen, it seems I'd enjoy 'Atlas Shrugged' the most. Would that be a good book to start with, or would anybody recommend starting with something else?

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hey i new to the thread as well..

i suppose Fountainhead wud be the best one to start with .. ? i am reading that now..

I started the Fountainhead yesterday and I can't put it down. I have friends and relatives who have read her works time and again and recommend it as the best place to start.

Even though it's short story I would suggest 'Anthem'

I read "The Fountainhead," and found it to be one of the most interminable, slow-going slogs it has ever been my displeasure to sit through. I finished it, but it took me two months.
Be prepared to be spoon-fed healthy doses of what is commonly known as the American Way--rugged individualism, capitalistic propaganda, etc., and helped on its way by intense introspection that you can guess the outcome to, along with painfully unrealistic dialogue that resembles soliloquy more than anything else.

The only book I've read by Rand is Anthem. I absolutely loved it. It was short, to the point and interesting. I read it in like 2 hours max, but I got so much out of it. I read it for English class, and now have to write three essays on it, but I'm actually looking forward to writing these essays. I would definitly suggest Anthem to anyone wanting to read an Ayn Rand book.

God Bless
<><

I could not agree with you more, Jamesian.