The Library

[Backstop]

Seems as if Atlas Shrugged is the mainstay of the ARFCOM crowd. They often mention "Who is John Galt?"

I don't really understand the reference as I haven't - and probably won't - read her work.

But as I understand it, she has outlined a possible SHTF scenario.

I really don't care to read a fictional SHTF scenario as the real world one staring us in the face is more important.

I'm reading Tom Sawyer right now.

[American Patriot]

Seems as if Atlas Shrugged is the mainstay of the ARFCOM crowd. They often mention "Who is John Galt?"

I don't really understand the reference as I haven't - and probably won't - read her work.

But as I understand it, she has outlined a possible SHTF scenario.

I really don't care to read a fictional SHTF scenario as the real world one staring us in the face is more important.

I'm reading Tom Sawyer right now.

Downloaded Atlas Shrugged yesterday. She was a Russian woman who left during the end of the Bolshevik Revolution (to get away eventually from the Communists).

I was reading about her and she was a pretty "hard core conservative" - thought liberals and some conservatives were losers (you'd have to read her bio, theres one on Wikipedia)

She created something called "Objectivity" (a form of philosophy) and in reading it... I realized I follow that almost PRECISELY... without ever having read anything at all about it.

Will probably read her books - I started one yesterday but it was... kind of loopy on the first few pages so I went back to reading something else.

[Backstop]

Finished Ton Sayer about a month ago. If you get the opportunity, read it.

No spoilers, but Tom's outlook regarding girls/women cracked me up.

Started Huck Finn a week ago, and Atlas Shrugged (AS) yesterday.

AS is a big, unwieldy book. They really should manuf it in volumes. I'm seriously considering taking a knife to it.

Guess the review on that sucker will be a long time coming. HAHA!.

[American Patriot]

I downloaded it.

I have a suggestion.... if you want to try this, get a mobipocket reader program on your computer and download the freebie versions of these books.

Alternatively, for example, I have my Kindle DX. I can put mobi files on there to read, PDFs and many other formats.

There are a dozen readers out there of various prices and usefulness. I like the Sony reader because it has the ability to use SD memory cards. I liked the Nook (I think it can use memory cards). My Kindle CAN NOT, but I can shop online with it anywhere and buy a book and download it instantly (ok, quickly) using the 3G network built in.

I['m considering several of the other readers as well (to have a second one available).

Anyway - there are a vast number of free ebooks you can download from lots of locations (including AS).

(By the way, as an aside... did you know that if you own a Nook, and you buy an E-Book for the Nook, it becomes a Nook-e-Book?)

/chuckles

[American Patriot]

Technical Books:

Marine Diesel Engines, Nigel Calder, 1987, 1992, 2007

isbn-13: 978-0-07147535-8
isbn-10: 0-07-147535-4
McGraw-Hill publisher.

Started reading it. Realized quite suddenly after the first chapter that I ought to have a DIESEL TRUCK and not gas. Duh

Explains:

Basics on how engines function, why you should do maintenance on them (routine type stuff), how to troubleshoot and basic maintenance procedures, overhaul and so forth that can be accomplished by amateur mechanics.

[Malsua]

Well, I'm almost finished with Atlas Shrugged...I recall starting it 20ish years ago and never finishing it. I started it again about a month ago and yes, I'm not done. This from a guy who can often read an entire 300page book on an 8 hour flight.

Some of the themes in AS hit home today. Things like calling someone unfeeling "You have no heart if you don't feed the indigent". It's only when they can't resort to reason to convince you that they try to guilt you with feelings. The other big one is the sanction of the victim. This is covered later on in the book during John Gaults 56 page speech. Yes, 56 pages. I got about 10 pages into and gave up and skipped it. I couldn't take it.
Those same types of speeches albeit shorter occur early on in the book and are key to understanding the concepts but whoo boy, that Galt is a real snoozer. There are also some multi page paragraphs that really make it difficult to keep your place in the book.

It also comes across as a bit naive and seems to undervalue anyone who isn't the industrialist at the top of an organization. Does not each employee provide value that is greater than their cost? The answer is yes for the most part. Some employees provide way more than their value. This is addressed 'off screen' later on in the book as certain things just come to a halt but Rand only briefly mentions this.

When the story is moving, it's pretty interesting when it gets preachy it starts to drag. I'm within 50 pages of the end and it's building to a crescendo. I know what happens as I know the outcome, but I'm watching it as it happens.

It also isn't post apoc or anything like that, it's just essentially taking liberalism to its extreme and as Margaret Thatcher once said "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money". Atlas Shrugged is about when the money runs out and those who produce it go on strike.

[Backstop]

Interesting about the e-books, Rick.

I went into Barnes&Noble today, and they had a booth selling them set up right in front of the door.

I seriously considered it just for Atlas - and may get one.

[Backstop]

Mal, the one thing that finally pushed me over the edge to read Atlas was when I found out Rand and Greenspan were buddies back in the day.

Was hoping maybe her book could/would give me a little insight into today's mess.

Seems a lot of folks claim her book is today's reality.

Not that she was prophetic - just a lot of coincidences.

I'm not too awful interested in reading SHTF books, or much on philosophy for pleasure reading. Heck, for any reading. HAHA!

[Malsua]

When you hit some of the points she makes it's like "holy cow, she's right" and this was back in the 50s. Some of it is clearly dated, like the kid on the train whistling Halley's 5th Symphony. That kid today might be rapping or listening to Hanson(or some other equally horrific dreck) on the iPod but Orchestra music is OUT.

I'm also not very fond of the love scenes. All the quivering and shaking...very 50s movies version of sex. Nothing graphic, just the whole romanticized thing irritates me.

James Taggert has two volumes. Low and Ashamed or screaming in panic. One other theme you pick up quicky is you can identify which side of the conflict a company is on by it's name. Reardon Steel, Danagger Coal, Wyatt Oil...all named after the men who started the company, are the good guys. Associated Steel, Twentieth Century Motor Company, Amalgamated Switch and Signal Company, etc...collectives...bad guys.

I sort of think it's important to read it. It's got some very direct parallels today with bailouts and Czars and other unelected people trying to command the economy.

[zenbudda]

if my memory serves me correctly, john galt is a euphamism for "the perfect man" in the context of a competitive society. he's the man that can overachieve and basically gets what he wants (or puts his mind too). but that's just my opinion.

[Backstop]

Think I remember some one said there was a rape scene in the book. I'd really rather not read that, and it sort of steered me away from the book for a while.

Thanks for the info, guys.

[Malsua]

There's no rape scene. There's a scene where she's being a bit coy about it, but wanted to. Sorta a NO, Don't, Don't, Stop. No, Don't Stop, "I SAID DON'T STOP!!!!"

[Backstop]

Thanks.

[zenbudda]

no rape that i remember. reading about, hearing about, or seeing rape makes me cringe.

[American Patriot]

There's no rape scene. There's a scene where she's being a bit coy about it, but wanted to. Sorta a NO, Don't, Don't, Stop. No, Don't Stop, "I SAID DON'T STOP!!!!"

hahahaha

I think I have heard my wife use those words before, exactly in that context.

/snicker.

[Backstop]

So far, Atlas Shrugged is pretty good.

Rand is really developing her characters - which is cool.

Don't know how long cool will keep me interested, though. Time will tell.

[Backstop]

Haven't been reading much in the way of books lately - at least not as normal.

Have about 400 pages to go in Atlas Shrugged.

Great book...except.

I have read enough of Dagny's sexual thoughts.

I will readily Rand wrote these passages very well; they're not overt porno.

But give it a rest, will ya?

There's 3 guys in the book that trip her trigger.

[Backstop]

Finally finished Atlas Shrugged.

Very interesting book.

I put off reading it for so long because (as above) I didn't care to read a
SHTF book, and I'm not that interested in philosophical jibba jabba.

Once I found that Rand and Greenspan were buddies, I decided to read it in the hope of discovering some insight into today's mess.

Boy, did I get some insight.

The parallels of Atlas Shrugged and our nation today are kinda weird.

And Rand's Objectivism is an interesting concept.

"I'm here for me!" is basically what I got out of it.

Rand's atheism doesn't sit will with me - but that's her problem not mine.

At first I thought the characters were being developed well, then it kinda turned into a story about Dagny. I can live with that, but I would've liked to learn much more about John Galt.

I highly recommend this book.

Part 1 of a 3 part interview she did with Mike Wallace:

Ayn Rand Mike Wallace Interview 1959 part 1

You'll find parts 2 and 3 in the right margin.

[Backstop]

Read Anthem by Ayn Rand yesterday.

It's a quick read; just over 100 pages.

It's a pretty good book, and I highly recommend it.

[Backstop]

Edit: No takers, so moved to another board.

Read to page 50 of Fountainhead, and I can't read this drivel.

The book centers around an architect and his work.

I realize architecture is the vehicle for Rand's theories, but what an utterly boring book filled with architectural phrases.

Blech!

Anyone wants the book, send me $5.00 and I'll mail it to you.

Edit: that's mailed in the U.S.