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The best part of this book and every other Ayn Rand book is its unabashed and unashamed individualism. Rand's viewpoint is nothing but unique among 20th century thinkers and this book is the easiest entry point into her greater philosophy, like it or not.

The best part about these threads is people who feel the urge to lambaste Ayn Rand when it's obvious that the thread is for fans of Rand. And I agree with "The Thousander Club." Moreover, I admire Rand's ability to extol the dignity of living by one's own rational judgement and fulfilling one's life through realizing one's values, which doesn't mean to be anti-social or uncooperative (as some critics misrepresent).

The great thing about the book is that it was short and to the point. The author was afraid of the future where government, socialistic or democratic, could take away freedoms in the name of doing good. It is amazing how she is now politicized to the point that if you list her as a favorite author, people assume you are conservative. Or on the flip side of that, if you are a liberal-you must not like her work. She was an author trying to tell a story, and get her view of an ideal across. Do we know how she voted? Did she vote for FDR or his republican opponents? Does it matter anyway since the parties have changed dramatically since the time that Rand was alive?

Not really, its just reasonable. Don't forget that the truth does not care about your feeling or opinions it simply is.

I read this book in 8th grade, so as far as picking up things about Rand's philosophical ideas was a little over my head. I truly enjoyed the character's sense of curiosity and his drive to set himself apart from the herd. Not to mention books about scientific discovery (or rediscovery) interest me as well. Any suggestions as to what to read next by Rand? The Fountainhead looks a little dense for me, but I would really like to delve a little deeper into her opinions and points of view.

This is my favorite Ayn Rand book, very short and therefore vague - it praises the dignity of individuals, which was valuable to me when I was very young. Unfortunately as she expounded her views in far greater details, she lost me. As I grew older, I found the world couldn't easily be divided into black and white, or producers versus takers.

The first time I read it (20 or so years ago) was for a book report. What I liked most about it was that it was short. On a more recent read, I liked that science and curiosity were driving factors for one brave person to break free of an ingrained institution-like existence.

Give her credit. Rand was an effective spokesperson for the libertarian branch of conservatism for a time, before her eccentricities caused people to stop taking her seriously and others had to step up to defend libertarianism.

The defense is ongoing, but doomed, I suspect. Libertarianism feels too much like a utopian scheme that will fail in real life. It is too narrow, focusing on only a few things that makes human life valuable while ignoring a host of others.

I am not qualified to speak on behalf of conservatives, but it is clear that many of them instinctively sense this narrowness and that's why libertarianism has had only limited impact in influencing conservative thinking.

But more to the point of GoodReads is that Rand is not a talented writer. Her prose is like a bludgeon. It is mind-numbing. There is no subtlety or nuance. Nothing to excite your aesthetic sensibility. Even if you think her ideas are interesting, her books are not good art. Anthem has the saving grace of being short, but it exhibits little in the way of interesting writing.

Flammable, I suppose.

Nothing.

The descriptions are pretty...

Just this
"I wished to know the meaning of things. I am the meaning."
Hmmmm... and that it was mercifully short.

I have worked for organizations where the word I is forbidden(i.e. the saying there is no I in team).

I liked Anthem more than some of Ayn Rand's other books. It is short and to the point. The narrator has a sense of humor. That there is no individualism reminds me of some large organizations that I have worked for in capitalist America.

I enjoy that it is a quick read and expresses the need for uniqueness. Especially in this society and as being a teenager myself, having unique qualities are often foreshadowed by the need of fitting in or going along with the crowd.

Ayn Rand validates what Adam Smith emphasized and advocated in The Wealth of Nations--everyone working in their own self-interest will improve the collective whole of society, much more so than someone or something (government) determining how to do so. So, the next time you hear the worn adage, "There is no 'I' in team", respond with the clarion call, "Yes, you're right. But there is in 'win' and 'victory'". Your view of Ms. Rand's work unearths what lies at the very core of your being and beliefs.

Equal men are not free. Free men are not equal. Freedom is not free.

Page 112, when the word "I" is discovered. Now that said, as an economic guiding light, Ayn Rand is a text for psychopaths.