“I read the book when I was about 17 and in first year of engineering college. One could say that being mathematically inclined, rationalist etc I was already the converted to whom Ayn Rand didn't need to preach. However for several years, 'Who is John Galt?' became a refrain for me which helped me separate people quickly - if somewhat unfairly - into ideological camps, as also aware/unaware camps when it came to life-changing books. To me it was not an expression of despair as much as it was a way to identify people who could think for themselves. That said I did eventually outgrow the book's idealistic stance on a world that is more complex and nuanced than the book simplistically suggests. I did eventually leave the confines of information technology to work in health and the world became a vista of greys - one in which the book does not make my top-10. ”
“It is an excellent read. Well written, great character developement, the action is compelling and the ideas are like a new wind at first glance. Then when you settle down to think of what a world would really be like if everyone did what was right in their own eyes...well, I decided it is a very dangerous book because it makes self-centeredness and self-righteousness seem wonderful. Sorry, I don't think you can discuss this book without a diving trip, that's what the book is all about, changing the world. Humanism in a word. Glorious humanity without taking our sinful nature into account. That's what I read in the book. Who decides in this "perfect" society what people are good enough to join? Who decides the value of each contributor? What is value derived from? Do we rid ourselves of the handicapped, the immature? Some who seem to be a burden on society now, may turn out to contribute greatly later in life. Do we have omniscience to know if that one person may contribute greatly to one other life at some point?See what a great book this is? Even if I disagree with it, look how worked up over it I am. You just don't get that with lousy writing.”
