Galt's Gulch

Reading the Book!

Posted by sierrasky 11 years, 3 months ago to Philosophy
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Hi Everyone,

I joined the Gulch not too long ago. Made some comments, had some opinions, but felt like I was shooting in the dark not having read the book. Felt a little like an imposter after having just watched the movies, yet not fully understanding the philosophy of Ayan Rand and her intent of her book. Well, back from summer vacation, child is back in school and just received my copy of Atlas Shrugged to read. Any words of wisdom regarding diving into the book would be appreciated! Will be back with questions I'm sure along the journey!

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  • Posted by sierrasky 9 years, 11 months ago
    Haha!!!! took me awhile....but, I finally just finished reading all 1,168 pages of Atlas Shrugged. I felt as though I needed to leave the Gulch until I actually read the book. Amazing and relevant considering the state of the nation right now....life was always getting in the way, but I did it, I finished!!
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    • Posted by khalling 9 years, 11 months ago
      What did you think? What part of Galts speech really resonated with you? I'm glad you accomplished your goal!
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      • Posted by sierrasky 9 years, 11 months ago
        I really enjoyed the book! It was so strange reading during this time in our nation. The parallels are uncanny. I think the part of Galt's speech that resonated with me the most is the section on "morality" and whose morality is it? and his way of looking at morality in the sense that it is a rational process in thinking one's own thoughts and THAT is moral. I also liked the take on "sacrifice". What is deemed sacrifice and what is not. I read the last quarter of the book projecting what was happening in Dagny's world to our future in the here and now and how we have degraded to the point that we now have civil unrest for the same or similar reasons. The part that I wasn't crazy about was how Dagny ended up with John Galt. It just didn't feel right to me that she end up with him in that he seemed to be representative of an ideal of a relationship greater than one between two humans, but rather one of a higher ideology that seemed above the romanticized relationship, more so a relationship of the mind rather than physical. I wanted Dagny to end up with Hank Reardon. Just my opinion though!
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  • Posted by lmarrott 11 years, 3 months ago
    I've been telling my wife for years I was going to read it to her and we just finished the book I was reading to her so we are starting Atlas Shrugged. It will be slower than my usual reading since I'll be reading it out loud, but it will be interesting to see how it goes.


    Read on, and enjoy!
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  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 11 years, 3 months ago
    Hello sierrasky,
    I agree with a few of the other contributors regarding the slow start. Stay with it. It is a relatively long read, but once you get past the first part and it really starts moving you will have to finish it!
    Enjoy,
    O.A.
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  • Posted by sdesapio 11 years, 3 months ago
    Try to stay away from reading anything about the book or Ayn Rand online. The less you know about the book before starting, the better.

    We'll see you on the other side. Keep us posted.
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    • Posted by Rocky_Road 11 years, 3 months ago
      I second this suggestion.

      Dive in without any preconceived notions, or opinions. That way you will make your own assumptions, and truly have a subjective reaction.

      Have fun!
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  • Posted by $ AJAshinoff 11 years, 3 months ago
    Be patient. The entire book is the story. Rand's content is far superior to her approach, but I have no clue how she could have provided so much meaning in any other way. The book is well worth the effort to read it.
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  • Posted by CircuitGuy 11 years, 3 months ago
    My thought is to stick with it. I felt like giving up on Atlas Shrugged, but I'm glad I didn't give up or skip anything. I like The Fountainhead better. It's difficult to compare, though, b/c I found The Fountainhead first.
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  • Posted by sierrasky 11 years, 3 months ago
    I really appreciate all of the thoughtful comments. Will definitely take notes and record those highlights that strike me! Good to know I have a knowledgable community to turn to for questions or thoughts! Glad I found the Gultch!
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  • Posted by Wonky 11 years, 3 months ago
    Don't bother with the highlighter and post-it notes. You'll read it again (and again) if it resonates. I prefer the audio-book these days. It's narrated exceptionally well by Scott Brick (all 64 hours worth). Enjoy your first reading!

    P.S. If you find that you "get it" completely, and want the to understand the full philosophy, move straight to "Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand" by Leonard Peikoff.
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  • Posted by LionelHutz 11 years, 3 months ago
    How wierd - I composed a reply sentence that used the phrase "really resonates with you" after reading your question, and I see KH did that as well. I assure you I didn't copy her as I didn't even read the replies until I came in here to paste my comment.
    Anyway, to the point: get a piece of paper out and when you read something that really resonates with you, write down the page number and the gist of what was said. I came away with two pages worth of material!
    The other thing is the book has a rather slow start. I think you have to be patient and plow through the first 100 pages before things start to really get interesting. My first resonating point occurred on page 76.
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  • Posted by flanap 11 years, 2 months ago
    Curious why you watched the movies having not read the book? If you had joined hear first, heard about the movies, saw them then read the book, I am wondering why you joined hear having read or saw neither? What was your source for finding out about all this?

    You won't hear much about a Gulch on primetime or Drudge.

    Just curious.
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    • Posted by sierrasky 11 years, 2 months ago
      Hi flanap,

      I actually just stumbled upon the movie (before I knew about the book). It was around the time that Cloud Atlas came out and I was researching that movie and Atlas Shrugged came up and I started looking at both movies and became interested in the contrasts, etc... I then found the Atlas Shrugged movies 1 and 2 I think on Netflix (or Vudu). Watched those and became intrigued. I joined after when I heard there was a third movie being produced. It was then I found the site, the Gultch and joined. I had read summaries of the book and articles, participated in some online comments, but hadn't really thrown myself into reading the actual book, which now, thankfully I have the opportunity to do so.
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      • Posted by flanap 11 years, 2 months ago
        Ok got it....I haven't read much about Cloud Atlas, but frankly, it takes a lot to get me into movies anymore. I read a lot and watch Youtube video on current events.
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