If I’ve ever learned anything in life, its that you don’t pick books, they pick you.
Somehow my brother has been chosen by Atlas Shrugged - finally. ”Hey, can you get my Atlas Shrugged for my birthday? I think I’m going to ready it now”. I wasted no time, I went out and bought it for him that moment.
On the way there he suggested we do a book club on it, as he’s heard the 1,168 pages can be daunting. Having read the book and been immensely effected by the book, I quickly agreed. I think we may get my father and other brother (Tom) to also join in even though they’ve read it before too.
We’ll be using this blog to chart out the pages to be read and by when. We’ll also post some of the discussions that follow.
If you’d like to join, please comment below. We are going to start slow to allow others to catch up. We’ll find a good pace once we get into the book further.
SO — today is 10/11/10. John and I agreed to read pages 1-25. Since different editions have different page numbers, I’ll add some insight below. Essentially, the week starting at Mid night is Chapter I.
First sentence: “Who is John Galt?” (Page 3)
Last sentence: “”Who is John Galt?” (Page 26)
If you don’t own the book, here is a link to buy it from Amazon. Its the size that is closest to the version John and I have.
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Matthew Camp 07.13.10 at 9:19 pm
It seemed somewhat serendipitous that I got this book in the mail just this week, so I feel I’m obligated to join you all in reading Atlas Shrugged. I’ve finished Chapter 1, and am incredibly intrigued. I thought the dialogue between Eddie Willers and James Taggart was engaging, but had no idea it would pale in comparison to the exchange between Dagny Taggart and James. I can’t help but associate with Dagny, who simply wants to ‘get stuff done’ and seems to be surrounded by people who are desperate to shirk responsibility. I think the first scene with Dagny is intended to both establish her character and parallel her exchange with James. The train isn’t going anywhere and everybody is waiting around for someone else to make a decision and take responsibility. It’s not until she forces the train forward that the train moves. The train could definitely be seen as a metaphor for progress; something others shy away from, but that Dagny takes responsibility for. Looking forward to Chapter 2!
walter.roth 07.13.10 at 9:49 pm
Welcome Matt! Oh how the dialog has just begun … you are so right about the contrast and immediate personalization of the story (i.e., folks who “find” this book often are the ones that can relate to it the most, and who feel the contrast, deep, in their bones).
I’m loving hearing your thoughts as first timer. Brings me back to hearing “Who is John Galt?” for the first time, and wondering where these characters, whose characters burst onto the scene in such contrast …. will ever take us.
Greg Chadwick 08.18.10 at 1:23 am
As a first time reader…
I find it notable that some characters stand, while other sit…
walter.roth 08.18.10 at 11:11 am
Welcome Greg! Yeah, I hear you. Interesting, I’d go further, saying that some characters stand, some sit, while others try to sit on those standing
Off topic, at first I thought your post was cut off early, but as I reread your post … I realized you said a lot … you are the king of brevity. Which I’ve heard is the soul of lingerie …
Jack Hayek 08.26.10 at 10:35 pm
Hi everyone. Most of you don’t know me, but might think that my name sounds familiar. That’s because I’m Bruce’s Dad. As I told Walter, I recently finished my fifth (or was it sixth) reading of “Atlas”. I Understand that Ms. Rand would often ask new aquaintences how often they had read it. I still find it difficult in some places, so don’t feel bad if this is your first go and you have to re-read some of it. It took her two years just to write his speach.
As you read it you might think to youself, “This is not how her heros act in the real world.” Fortunately, there are some that do. Unfortunately, their are all to many that behave as her villians do. In any case, they are only the foundation to carry her philosopy, objectivism, which is the soul of the story. Enjoy!
Walter R. Roth 08.30.10 at 2:20 pm
Welcome Jack! I laugh every time I think of Ayn Rand asking people how often they read her book, not just if they read it at all.
I’d say its one of the only books I’ve read where I knew the first time I read it that I’d be back and would probably gain just as much from rereading it as I did reading it the first time.
The only other book that I can think of like this is Joseph Campbell’s Power of Myth. Very different, but, in a way, very similar. The Hero’s path, who goes forth into the deep dark forest regardless of ridicule and risk … to return back with new knowledge, etc.