Atlas Shrugged

NousDefionsDoc · 12-24-2005, 08:14

Ok RL, I finished it. Thanks. Now explain it to me.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 12-24-2005, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc

Ok RL, I finished it. Thanks. Now explain it to me.

LMAO! Where's D-9?

BMT (RIP) · 12-24-2005, 14:15

I think I read this more years ago than I would like to remember. Still trying to understand any of these books.

BMT

**Jack Moroney (RIP)** · 12-24-2005, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc

Ok RL, I finished it. Thanks. Now explain it to me.

I think the most disturbing thing is not that you are among just about everyone else who ever read it that wants someone to explain it but that you actually took the time to read it. You are a better person than am I, but then of course you knew that because you are a medic

Jack Moroney-pondering not the meaning of existence but the value of the 10-2-1 or 3-5-2 systems for messing with railroad bureaucrates.

NousDefionsDoc · 12-24-2005, 21:24

LOL - we'll wait for D9 and Jimbo I guess. I was actually hoping for a discussion. I have my own thoughts on it, colored as they are by my own mores and morals, etc.

Other than the chick stuff, I actually liked it.

HOLLiS · 12-24-2005, 23:10

LOL, yeppers a early 70's book

CPTAUSRET · 12-24-2005, 23:31

Ayn Rand.

I read the book many years ago, didn't get much out of it, figured I wasn't intellectually up to the book, then I figured the book just wasn't that good.

I asked nancy about it a few years ago, she wasn't impressed either.

Now (Heinlein's) "STARSHIP TROOPERS" was a book I loved, as was "A MOTE IN GOD'S EYE" (Niven and Pournelle).

Terry

JMI · 12-24-2005, 23:52

Starship Troopers must be a good book, because a lot of former/current military like it.

**Peregrino** · 12-25-2005, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPTAUSRET

Ayn Rand.

I read the book many years ago, didn't get much out of it, figured I wasn't intellectually up to the book, then I figured the book just wasn't that good.

I asked nancy about it a few years ago, she wasn't impressed either.

Now (Heinlein's) "STARSHIP TROOPERS" was a book I loved, as was "A MOTE IN GOD'S EYE" (Niven and Pournelle).

Terry

I have to agree. I read a lot of military "scifi" as brain candy. With Pournelle and Niven Footfall, Lucifer's Hammer, and The Gripping Hand also come to mind. The memorable stuff always seems to deal with human issues as opposed to hardware spectaculars. In my opinion the best stuff appeals to all of our "duty, honor, fidelity, higher purpose" motivating triggers. New and relevant ideas can come from many sources - not just the traditional ones and the message doesn't have to be inscrutible and require interpretation by a self appointed elite to be meaningful, e.g. Ayn Rand. Check out this article in SWJ: http://www.smallwarsjournal.com/docu...oct05/cole.htm.

And for COL M. - I've always wanted to try the water impulse/trestle intervention but couldn't get anybody to "cough up" a target. Briefings and videos just don't inspire the confidence that "hands on" does.

Merry Christmas all! Peregrino

dennisw · 12-25-2005, 10:47

It's been a while since I read Atlas Shruged. As I remember, the characters seemed to be extremely stark; very much black and white, good and evil. I thought it was good book.

As you probably know, the author was born in Russia to successful parents who were eventually ensnared in the communist revolution. She wrote a book about it entitled, We The Living.

CPTAUSRET · 12-25-2005, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peregrino

I have to agree. I read a lot of military "scifi" as brain candy. With Pournelle and Niven Footfall, Lucifer's Hammer, and The Gripping Hand also come to mind. The memorable stuff always seems to deal with human issues as opposed to hardware spectaculars. In my opinion the best stuff appeals to all of our "duty, honor, fidelity, higher purpose" motivating triggers. New and relevant ideas can come from many sources - not just the traditional ones and the message doesn't have to be inscrutible and require interpretation by a self appointed elite to be meaningful, e.g. Ayn Rand. Check out this article in SWJ: http://www.smallwarsjournal.com/docu...oct05/cole.htm.

And for COL M. - I've always wanted to try the water impulse/trestle intervention but couldn't get anybody to "cough up" a target. Briefings and videos just don't inspire the confidence that "hands on" does.

Merry Christmas all! Peregrino

Peregrino:

Merry Christmas!

"ONCE AN EAGLE' by Anton Myrer is one you should read if you have not already done so.

Terry

**Roguish Lawyer** · 12-25-2005, 21:26

I'm happy to discuss it, NDD. Just didn't have time before.

I'd like to read your initial thoughts first, however.

Goggles Pizano · 12-26-2005, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPTAUSRET

Peregrino:

Merry Christmas!

"ONCE AN EAGLE' by Anton Myrer is one you should read if you have not already done so.

Terry

THAT is an outstanding read Sir! Glad you mentioned it!

NousDefionsDoc · 12-26-2005, 08:33

"Existence exists"?

I thought it had a lot of chick stuff trying to keep the reader's interests.

The message I got from it was there are producers and leeches - not necessarily a revelation. Big government is dangerous - again, no revelation.

I saw a lot of parallels between the "need driven" social conscience and the lib philosophies of today.

The helplessness in adversity by the average citizen - even more prevelant today and evidenced by events such as NOLA.

I also thought there was an underlying tone of anti-corporationism.

And a stinging indictment of the NYSE-method of value estimation.

37F5V · 12-26-2005, 09:29

I've read the book more than once and took it as a warning regarding the socialist ideas of the time (50'S).... Capitalism breeds motivation and innovation kind of stuff, without it we are dead in the water. Try "Anthem".