Ayn Rand

Atlas straightened his shoulders.

Preface

How can we implement our brains, or one step forward - two steps forward?

(a few words about a very modern book)

Dear reader, this is our lot—to live in an era of change. At the same time, everyone understands that these are changes not only in our destinies, in the history of our Fatherland, but also in consciousness. Whether we like it or not, for most of us, reorientation of consciousness becomes the key to survival. And again, everyone is faced with the “damned questions” that so tormented the classics of Russian literature: “What to do?”, “Who is to blame?”, “Am I an insignificant creature or...”

We have every reason to consider the totality of the work of Ayn Rand, the author of the novel “Atlas Shrugged,” as one of the most colossal (both in volume and in terms of the scale of impact on minds) and non-trivial attempts in our century to give a comprehensive answer to these now so relevant questions. Despite the fact that for five years we have been trying to the best of our ability to acquaint the reader with the works of this exceptionally original writer (her first novel “We Are the Living” was published in Russian in 1993, and “The Source”, which brought her world fame, in 1995) , her name is almost unknown in our country. But Ayn Rand comes from Russia, from St. Petersburg. The daughter of a mediocre St. Petersburg pharmacist, who in her early youth tasted the delights of revolutionary and post-revolutionary Russian life, managed, despite her dubious social background and anti-Bolshevik views, to graduate from what had already become Leningrad University and work as a tour guide in the Peter and Paul Fortress. Integral and purposeful, absolutely uncompromising and prone to moral maximalism, she turned out to be paradoxically close to the poster type of commissar popularized by socialist realism. However, her views and ideals were the opposite of communist ones. Given this combination, she was no stranger to Soviet Russia, and she understood it perfectly. In 1926, she miraculously managed to escape, first to Latvia, and then to the USA, where she found a second home and long-term literary (and not only literary) fame.

Atlas Shrugged is Ayn Rand's most monumental novel in concept and scope, translated into dozens of languages ​​and published in tens of millions of copies. The location is America. But this is a conditional America: basic comfort is gradually becoming a luxury for a select few; Crisis zones are multiplying and growing, where people are dying of hunger; in other places, the richest harvest is rotting because it cannot be exported; surviving and newly born entrepreneurs enrich themselves not through production, but through connections that allow them to receive government subsidies and benefits; the last talented and intelligent people disappear to no one knows where; and the government is fighting these “temporary difficulties” by establishing new committees and commissions with undefined functions and unlimited power, issuing delusional decrees, the execution of which is achieved through bribery, blackmail, and even direct violence against those who are still capable of producing something...

Dystopia? Yes, but a special kind of dystopia. Rand depicts a world in which a creative person (be it an engineer, banker, philosopher or carpenter), whose mind and talent served as the only source of all goods known to mankind, material and spiritual, is brought to the brink of complete extermination and forced to enter into a fight with those whom has been a benefactor for many centuries. Atlanteans - some earlier, others later - refuse to hold the world on their shoulders.

What to do, how to create a new, truly human world in which every unique person would like to live? This is the question Ayn Rand poses. What do we need to understand in order to feel like Atlanteans? That you cannot live a borrowed life, borrowed values. That you can and should change yourself, but never change yourself. That it is impossible to live for others or demand that others live for you. That a person was created for happiness, but one cannot be happy, neither guided by other people’s ideas about happiness, nor at the expense of the misfortune of others, nor at the expense of undeserved benefits. You need to be responsible for your actions and their consequences. You cannot oppose morality and life, spiritual and material. The vaunted altruism ultimately invariably turns into a weapon for the enslavement of man by man and only multiplies violence and suffering. But it is not enough to accept these principles, you must live in accordance with them, and this is not easy. Maybe you have a desire to sharply condemn the selfish, godless, inhumane position of the author and her “normative” heroes?

Well, the reaction is quite understandable. However, it is worth considering the origins of such a reaction. Isn’t it because it’s scary to leave the tutelage of the Father (who is either in heaven, or in the Kremlin, or next door in the Mausoleum), to finally recognize oneself as an adult and independent, to take responsibility for the most important decisions in life? ? I really want to argue with the philosopher Ayn Rand, the Russian founder of American objectivism, but it is not so easy to refute her impressive logic. So how can you create a world in which you don’t hate to live? Think. Sami. Regardless of authorities.

We will be very grateful for your opinion about the book and the problems posed in it and for your feedback - even critical.

D. V. Kostygin

PART ONE

WITHOUT CONTRADITIONS

Chapter 1. Theme

-Who is John Galt?

The tramp's question sounded sluggish and inexpressive. In the deepening twilight it was impossible to see his face, but the dim rays of the setting sun, flying from the depths of the street, illuminated the hopelessly mocking eyes looking straight at Eddie Willers - as if the question was asked not to him personally, but to that inexplicable anxiety that lurked in his soul .

The tramp stood leaning against the doorframe, the yellow, metallic sky reflected in the shard of glass behind him.

- Why does this bother you? - he asked.

“Not at all,” Eddie Villers snapped. “He hastily put his hand in his pocket. The tramp stopped him and, asking for ten cents, began to talk further, as if trying to fill one awkward moment and delay the approach of another. Begging on the street had become commonplace lately, so there was no need to listen to any explanations, and Eddie had no desire to listen to how exactly this tramp had come to such a life.

- Here, go buy yourself a cup of coffee. – Eddie held out the coin towards the faceless shadow.

“Thank you, sir,” said the tramp in an indifferent tone. He leaned forward, and Eddie looked at his wrinkled, weather-beaten face, on which the stamp of fatigue and cynical indifference was frozen. The tramp had the eyes of an intelligent man.

Eddie Willers went further, trying to understand why, with the onset of dusk, he was always seized by some inexplicable, causeless fear. No, not even fear, he had nothing to fear, just an irresistible vague anxiety, causeless and inexplicable. He had long been accustomed to this strange feeling, but could not find an explanation for it; and yet the tramp spoke to him as if he knew that this feeling haunted him, as if he believed that it should arise in everyone, moreover, as if he knew why it was so.

Ayn Rand is known to the world for her amazing philosophical stories that touch on life's problems, as well as revealing the amazing world of the human soul. The author moved to America from Russia, where she became famous for her work. For a very long time she worked on the book “Atlas Shrugged”, which became the last in the literary activity of the writer.

The book Atlas Shrugged reveals the political activities of the United States. There are main characters here who oppose the system. Ayn Rand talked about why she named her book that way. The task of the Atlanteans is to carry a heavy burden. In the book, the image of the Atlanteans fits the main characters, on whom everything essentially rests. And when the government began to put pressure on them and impose its own rules, the Atlanteans straightened their shoulders to resist this injustice.

The plot reveals the events that take place in the United States at a time when socialists come to power. They want to set in motion a system where smart and talented people will promote the useless and lazy through their work. As a result, chaos and crisis begin in the country, since truly gifted people simply cannot resist the circumstances and do what they like. Two fairly successful people are also trying to resist the system: Hank Rearden, the owner of metallurgical plants and mines, as well as a talented inventor, and Dagny Taggart, the vice president of the railway company.

There are other heroes in the book “Atlas Shrugged”, no less bright and memorable. But the most important thing here is that all the heroes strived for their goal, their dream, without obeying the government. They not only tried to protect themselves and their business, but also to save the entire country from devastation and chaos.

Ayn Rand's book makes us think about our time. About how truly talented people who cannot make it through are not valued today because they are being squeezed out by those who have more money. How difficult it is sometimes to break through when quite stupid people are in power, and only they are subject to all our undertakings.

The book “Atlas Shrugged” inspires you to always, no matter what, move towards your goal. When a person knows what he wants, he knows how to achieve it. And if they start putting a spoke in his wheels, then some give up, while others continue to persist, and sometimes even show selfishness. And this is actually good in this particular situation.

The book touches on the topic of politics and under what power a person can achieve truly more. Ayn Rand has her own opinion on this matter, since she herself fled from the Soviet Union to America because of communist slogans that infringed on human freedom, creativity and development. All this is the main theme for writing this book.

After reading “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand, it immediately becomes clear what kind of world we live in. This inspiring work makes you think and rethink many things in our lives.

On our literary website you can download Ayn Rand’s book “Atlas Shrugged” for free in formats suitable for different devices - epub, fb2, txt, rtf. Do you like to read books and always keep up with new releases? We have a large selection of books of various genres: classics, modern fiction, psychological literature and children's publications. In addition, we offer interesting and educational articles for aspiring writers and all those who want to learn how to write beautifully. Each of our visitors will be able to find something useful and exciting for themselves.

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Title: Atlas Shrugged

Description of the book "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand is a Russian writer who moved to the states and became a legendary American writer. Author of best-selling novels and numerous articles. And also the creator of a philosophical concept based on the principle of free will and the primacy of rationality.

“Atlas Shrugged” became the last novel, as well as the longest work of the writer. Rand called it the most important creation of her entire literary career.

The novel, which had a phenomenal impact on the lives of several generations of readers, was first published in the United States in 1957. Since then it has been published many times and has been translated into almost all languages.

According to its structure, the book is divided into 3 parts: “Non-contradiction”, “Either-or” and “A is A”. These names echo the three laws of formal logic (non-contradiction, the law of excluded middle and identity).

The title of the novel has the deepest philosophical meaning. The clear parallel drawn by the author between the mythical Atlas and the people who are modern “Atlanteans” cannot go unnoticed. Rand's heroes are doomed to hold on their shoulders the fundamental foundations of human existence - production, creativity and creativity. And only through their efforts is the life of all humanity possible. The number of “Atlanteans” is not so large, therefore, when government officials begin to blame them for the problems of the modern world and destroy a carefully developed system of living well, the “Atlanteans” straighten their shoulders, no longer wanting to bear this burden, which has become exorbitant, and disappear. And humanity is deprived of the foundations of its existence. This in turn leads to the death of humanity.

Atlas Shrugged is an incredibly realistic account of what happens when the US government, led by socialists, begins to oppress big business and the free market. America is confidently moving into crisis and complete chaos. The main characters of the novel, Hank Rearden and Dagny Taggert, set out to resist this. But a group of businessmen and politicians with enormous political power who also want to stop the crisis are only making the situation worse. Taggert notes that many famous personalities and prominent businessmen have retired and simply disappeared. Trying to find out where, he perhaps sees the only way of salvation.

The book is a kind of antidepressant. Page after page you begin to understand that you need to move, you need to strive, you need to act. If this doesn't happen, everything will collapse. Of course, it cannot be mentioned that the writer at one time fled to America from Soviet Russia, therefore, this could not leave its mark on her greatest work.

Ayn Rand skillfully “plays” the characters. Moreover, they are all divided into two types - very good and very bad. And so there is a confrontation between them. But at the same time, the work has its own special atmosphere, where everything seems gray, but very realistic.

The book is a dystopia, but quite true. If we draw parallels, then in our world there are many similarities to what Ayn Rand wrote about in her time. After reading this work, you can radically reconsider your priorities and views on many things.

On our website about books, you can download the site for free without registration or read online the book “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand in epub, fb2, txt, rtf, pdf formats for iPad, iPhone, Android and Kindle. The book will give you a lot of pleasant moments and real pleasure from reading. You can buy the full version from our partner. Also, here you will find the latest news from the literary world, learn the biography of your favorite authors. For beginning writers, there is a separate section with useful tips and tricks, interesting articles, thanks to which you yourself can try your hand at literary crafts.

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I finished reading. On the third try. It was a long story. At 5-6 years old.

2008. I bought an electronic text version somewhere. I didn't go. Okay, I think, “young ishsho.” Postponed.

In 2010 I came across one (one!) chapter in mp3. Well, I think, okay, let's starve it out. I'll listen to it in the car. Never mind. The rest of the chapters were nowhere to be found. There is no ozone in stores either. I couldn’t find a publisher then, nothing. Yes, what is it, I think. OK. Another year has passed.

In 2011 or 2012, I don’t remember more precisely, I came across a thick paper edition. Bought. I started reading. Same bullshit as a couple of years ago. Well, it doesn't work. Well, it's boring.

In 2012 I found the film. More precisely, a film adaptation of the first part of the novel. Easier to watch. Although it wasn't filmed very well either. The second part was not found in a good translation. And in the comments they suggested that the second part suffered from a change in the cast.

Finally, a week ago, by chance, I found the full version of the book in audio format. Audio performance. I uploaded it onto my armored phone and listened to one or two chapters while taking my eldest to school. And then there’s the road to Kharkov and back: 10 hours with headphones. Read it. I listened, more precisely.

Only now I realized what was wrong. The book is written from a literary point of view, not that badly... Not at all. Clumsy. The characters are straight as doors. If the man is good, then he has a sign on his chest - “Good hero, 1 piece.” His solutions are not just simple, but direct. Stupidly straight. No options. he laughs loudly. He tolerates everyone until he stops and is all Atlant-Atlant. And around him are furies and harpies, so that everyone can understand how good he is, since the bad ones don’t value him so much. But he tolerates them - that means he’s good. It's clear? If the man in the novel is bad, then at the end he just shouts straight out “I’m bad!”, goes crazy and runs away from it. Bad, but with a fine mental organization, yeah. Just growled “Kill him!” and cheated on his legal wife, and then he felt bad from realizing how bad he was. Br-rr-r-r. Such characters smell like plastic.

There is no point in going through everyone in the novel, but if the pirate is noble, the woman is strong-willed, but she is still weak, and at the moment of the shootout, the armed soldiers, instead of knocking down the man who breaks the window and jumps into the room, almost they ask him in chorus, “What’s your name?!” And he was like: “I am Robin Hood!” And they were like: “Forgive us, Robin Hood,” and everyone froze in a daze. Soldiers. With weapon. Damn, some kind of Bollywood. Panopticon with a priest in the bathroom.

And the book is practical. In some places it just... breaks through. Contrary to the wooden artistry of the word. But it “breaks through” some protective layer of cynicism in the surrounding world. It’s like watching children in the sandbox playing store, and when someone doesn’t have enough for sand ice cream, they still “sell” him a portion. And it seems that we are all somehow callous. And here they are...

I don’t know if it’s right to compare the cartoonishly correct characters of the novel with children. Maybe this is the author's intention. Maybe I've become evil. Or, in addition to business literature, I also read fiction and have something to compare with. But... don't listen to me. Better just pick it up and read it. I have already warned you as much as I could and now you will not be afraid. Good book. Or maybe I came across it just in time. Don't know.

Logics

Everything in the book is black and white. Here we are, across the river - not ours. We are fighting. We deny ourselves. Everything is as it should be. But this has its own charm. Simplicity. Clarity. Logics. No - not the logic of plot construction (there is none - there is a plot line as straightforward as a closet door), but LOGIC, conclusions, consistency, irreversibility of results that the author put into the heads of all good heroes. The logic on which the old world was built. Logic, with which, as a tool, the heroes open this old world like a tin can. Logic that helps ours and destroys those not ours. Logic, as the main character of the novel, is the first plus that makes Atlas worth reading.

People

Ordinary people, who often act as a background, a decoration in a novel, in front of which the main characters say memorized phrases. And then the scenery comes to life. And people stand along the railway. Of your own free will. Helping change. Expressing your will. Evoking respect. People who want to shake hands because they stood up and went to defend their point of view. The second reason to read the book is the people. Good, simple, correct people. Wisely nonviolent. Wise.

Perseverance

Perseverance is about doing the Work. Sometimes perseverance in a novel turns out to be their Kryptonite for the characters, but it is Perseverance that is what, it seems to me, we all lack now. To me.

Perseverance to do your job and follow the chosen path. Like a machine that just works. Like a locomotive. A simple and understandable locomotive that converts power into speed and performs understandable Work to deliver the train from point A to point B. Action that irreversibly follows comprehension... Behind understanding.

If you tend to think a lot and do little, Atlas is full of other heroes. Give it a try. They are charging. An irreversible sequence of actions and results.

Job

The very idea of ​​honest business relationships. It seems to me that the relationship is not “get”, but “earn”, it is so clearly written in the novel that it will again and again scratch those of us who “wait for it to happen.” In the novel, of course, those who do win. They are building. They are launching. They make money. This needs to be reminded.

Something smart at the very end

I'm lucky. At those moments when the fast train in the novel rushes through the Colorado desert at a speed of 100 miles per hour, I was riding on the capital's express, all at the same speed that is described in the novel as the speed of life, the speed of business and decisions. The sensations from what I read were combined with the feeling of traveling. With the feeling that I was now doing my own thing. This helped me love this book.

I won’t say that the book turned my world upside down. I have also seen such reviews of the novel “Atlas Shrugged”. And from people I personally respect for their results. I can’t say that I would put this book first, second, or even tenth on my “business books” shelf. Also no.

But there is something in this book. With its simplicity. With those who saw the bad in time, from which they immediately became good. With trains and the John Galt line, about whom people keep asking each other throughout the novel. With rustic fantasy, all these “force fields” against the backdrop of steam locomotives and stokers.

Read, or even better, listen in good quality. Maybe you will like it too. And you also ask yourself - who is John Galt for me?