Customer Reviews

Ayn Rand Reader

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those of you who are honestly interested in learning about Ayn Rand, I fully recommend this book as an introduction to her philosophy.

It's very disheartening to see that Ayn Rand detractors have overwhelmed most of the review boards for her books.

If you read this book, please keep in mind several things that its detractors have not:

1. Ayn Rand's philosophy is an integrated system of looking at life and reality. It distorts her view when you grab one of her ideas and take it out of context. Before you pass judgment on Ayn Rand, please know what you are talking about and learn the fundamentals of her philosophy.

2. You have to be honest to learn from Ayn Rand. Reading her books won't dislodge the falsehoods from your mind, nor cram the truth into your brain. She has created a roadmap for learning the ideal philosophy, but YOU have to look at reality and learn it yourself. Because of this, there are people who have distorted her ideas drastically. Please look at what she has written to learn about her, NOT what others interpret her to be.

That's why this book is so important in clearing up the chaos surrounding Ayn Rand. So many people have misinterpreted her. Here you can get the information firsthand. In her own words.

This is an excellent compilation of Miss Rand's writings -- an introduction for beginners and a treasured condensation (of her writings) for her ardent fans.

Although I have (read) all Miss Rand's fiction and non-fiction, the Ayn Rand Reader permits me quick reference to many of my favorite passages and essays.

Miss Rand's writings are my continuing source of spiritual (mind) and moral strength in a world (currently) dominated by collectivism and altruism.

Her writings will, in time, be the foundation of a New (and much needed) Renaissance.

Fabulous. For beginners (and even some alleged sophisticates) who want to know about Ayn Rand, THIS -- and no other -- is the book to read. Peikoff and Hull peformed above standard in putting this together. It is fresh, sizzling, uplifting. The best Ayn Rand book in 10 years (or longer).

This is a good introductory collection of Randian material -- not perfect, but good. I'm giving it five stars just to prove that I can be nice to the folks at the Ayn Rand Institute when they do a decent job of putting a new volume together. The fact that they didn't pad it with mediocre essays by Peikoff and Schwartz is a major accomplishment and I think it deserves to be recognized. Keep it up, guys.

I agree that some of Ayn Rand books are lengthy and it's overwhelming to think about reading 1000 pages. However, I found that in reading the few chapters of the selected books that I wanted to read more of each individual book. Reading only a few chapters of several books wasn't satisfying. It's better to buy the whole book from the start.

Pseudo-sophisticated philosophers beware! "Edited by Gary Hull and Leonard Peikoff, here is a rare and illuminating glimpse into the legendary writer's (Rand's) evolution as an artist and philosopher." With that bold statement from the back cover of the text dangling as a morsel of hubris so as to hook the buyer; The Ayn Rand Reader certainly does make good on the promise.

Whether you are seasoned reader or a neophyte into Rand's writings this text delivers the main points of her Objectivist Philosophy in a survey style covering her observations, feelings, and convcitions regarding Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, Politics, and Esthetics. Ayn Rand was an impassioned proponent of reason, individualism, and laissez-faire capitalism; as such she deserves to be called the greatest philosopher of the Twentieth Century and arguably of all time.

Persons genuinely interested in Rand or simply curious about her doctrines will not be disappointed with this text. I rate it at five stars with no reservation.

I use this book to get Rand into a course I teach at my high school on utopias in Western thought. It's helpful not only because it's a good introduction with well chosen selections from some very long and often tedious fictions, but also because it can serve as an inoculation for my young students against a virulent virus -- the Randism that seems every year to attract more examples of prominent and proliferating American types like the philosophical yahoo, the half-educated techno-nerd, the philistine go-getter, and the evangelistic anti-Christian bigot. They read it with Thomas More (Utopia), Karel Capek (R.U.R.) and Paul Auster (In the Country of Last Things). You can, too.

I am an objective Ayn Rand reader. All her books inspire thought. Even when my newly acquired 'English' was so meager I still enjoyed Fountainhead (my first encounter with her works). She has remarkable insights to the workings of society however her emotional side lacked substance. Still, 70% of her teachings are completely valuable and can only enrich your existence. Her teachings are in the form of story telling which keeps you interested in her philosophies. Give her a try with her Ayn Rand reader, you will be impressed.

A truly great condensation of Ayn Rand's work. It should be read by EVERY AMERICAN. Then go on to read other Rand books. The best way to understand what is going on with our government, most of which makes no rational sense.

The rebirth of our economy is JOB ONE and the principles enumerated in this compilation is food for the RIGHT and a good recipe for Barry