CliffsNotes on Rand's Atlas Shrugged

by Andrew Bernstein

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.

"CliffsNotes on Atlas Shrugged" is your guide to author Ayn Rand's masterpiece, an impassioned defense of the freedom of man's mind. She shows that without the independent mind, our society would collapse into primitive savagery.

Delve into the post-World War II historical context of "Atlas Shrugged" and the modern implications of its conclusions. Other features that help you study includeCharacter analyses of major playersA character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersCritical essaysA review section that tests your knowledgeA Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sites

Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure -- you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Genres: Reference, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Politics

191 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2000

About the author

Andrew Bernstein is an American philosopher. He is a proponent of Objectivism, the philosophy of Ayn Rand, and the author of several books, both fiction and non-fiction.

Reviews

[CA Ram Melam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author added a analysis and guide to the readers of Atlas Shrugged.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book definitely had an intriguing and thought provoking story line, it was just too long and wordy for me to trek through. So the cliff notes were great! I got the story, found the interesting parts that I wanted to read more in-depth in the actual book, and overall know enough to participate in book club. :)

[Matthew LaPine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was loaned a copy of the full novel of this from a relative who clearly expected me to read it and report back. Faced with wading through a nearly 1,100 page 600,000 word novel, versus a 142 page CliffsNotes version, it was an easy decision.

This excellent CliffsNotes provides a great chapter by chapter walk-through of the story, pointing out key incidents, overall themes and characters throughout. Even without reading the character narratives or taking the quizzes at the end, I felt like I'd gotten the key points of the book in less than 1/10th the time it would've taken to read the actual novel.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great synopsis of the ideas of the book, but after reading the book, it leaves you feeling like it's a little incomplete.

The Cliff's Notes are a fantastic way to distill down the main points that are being made, however by doing so you miss out on:
-the story, the intrigue, the draw of the narritive.
-nuances of the characters and interactions that help you understand the symbolism and representations of each of the charactors.
-any good dialog. Granted some of the dialog is lengthy and somewhat repetative, however there were many places in an explanation where I stopped and thought, "I never considered that before," or "I never thought of it like that before." All these are missing from the cliff's notes.

Personally I would definately recommend reading these notes with or after you have read 'Atlas Shrugged' since it helps you to understand the meanings that were intended in a book who's length is such that you sometimes loose it, but don't miss the real thing for the cheap imitation.

[Lynne Tull · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the paperback version of this novel in 1971 on a road trip from L.A. to Seattle, Washington. It was a very trip and a very long book..I think John Galt's speech was at least 100 pages of the book. It was a book that subconsciously had a profound impact on me. I was prompted to read the Cliffs Notes after I heard there was a TV mini-series or a made for TV movie to be made from it. I couldn't imagine reading the complete book again...too many books-too little time. Then, I realized that after 1971 I subscribed to part of the philosophy of the book. I tried to be as competent as I could be in everything I did. To this day I think that if I take care to do my best and be considerate of others, then I have accomplished part of my purpose on this plane.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the Cliff Notes for this book club book. I'd already read the Fountainhead and just didn't have the time and energy to get through this. The book brings up some great questions and ideas, although I don't completely agree with Ayn Rand's point of view. It does make you think though, and evaluate where you stand on many issues.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be a helpful reminder so many years after first reading the book. I'm listening to it again, unabridged. Quite the investment of time. Juat learned on PBS's "Frontline" this week that Alan Greenspan saw her as his mentor. Very interesting.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I plodded through Atlas Shrugged and was grateful for Bernstein's help.

[Old_airman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without Cliff Notes, reading Atlas Shrugged would have been even more laborious. As always, it helped me frame the story and show me what I should be concentrated upon.

[Naftoli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good reference and review of the real Atlas Shrugged.

[Helen Jewel]

a good one

[Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really glad I read this. With so much going on in the book, it's great to have this as a memory jogger. I especially liked the author's commentary about how the fictional America in ATLAS SHRUGGED had come to celebrate depravity. Damned if that's not already happened in the REAL America to a disturbing extent. I mean, look at who we make stars in this culture nowadays.