Hi, this is Gary.
The two opposing positions are clearly stated in this chapter. The last paragraph on pg.74 and on to the top of pg.75 states the viewpoint of the majority of people in the country. The two sentences on pg.88 show us Henry Reardon's point of view.
Most people in the U.S. today would side with James Taggart and friends. The bailout of the auto makers goes along with the thinking on pg.74. Henry Reardon would never do this.
Which line of thinking really benefits society in the long run?
Read on.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Chapter 3- Socialism!!!!!!
In this chapter we have an interesting conversation between James Taggart and his business friends. These failing businessmen reveal themselves to be socialists. They believe that wealth should be shared and that concern for the public good rather than profits should be the primary concern of any business. Naturally, they resent highly successful businessmen like Henry Reardon who are motivated by acquiring more and more wealth. I see Obama and the majority of Americans today as being like Taggart and friends.
I see the creators of wealth like Reardon as being the ones that improve the lives of people in the long run rather than those that would redistribute wealth. By seeking their own wealth they create many jobs for others and they should be rewarded for their genius.
Whose side will Ayn Rand take? Read on.
I see the creators of wealth like Reardon as being the ones that improve the lives of people in the long run rather than those that would redistribute wealth. By seeking their own wealth they create many jobs for others and they should be rewarded for their genius.
Whose side will Ayn Rand take? Read on.
Chapter Two
You're intepretation of chapter 2 was very good Natalie.
Im interested to see why Gary keeps comparing what we have read to the
government and politics.
Lillian really let her husband have it at the end of chapt 2. Im looking forward to chapter 3 and can see why Kacie and Gary liked this book.
Im interested to see why Gary keeps comparing what we have read to the
government and politics.
Lillian really let her husband have it at the end of chapt 2. Im looking forward to chapter 3 and can see why Kacie and Gary liked this book.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Chapter Two-The Plot Thickens
Hi, this is Gary
Why does everyone hate Henry Reardon? His family, friends and the media really dislike a person like him. There are signs popping up that the economy is taking a downward spiral but Henry has a prospering business and has created many jobs. Why is Miss Taggart his only admirer?
The book really takes off after chapter two. As we read on, we'll see that the same kind of people that resent the Henry Reardons of this world are now in control of our government and the public in general supports their philosophy. This book clearly reveals where our country is headed. Ayn Rand clearly shows us the road ahead. Hang on to your seats. This book will change your lives. Atlas Shrugged should be required reading for anyone running for political office today.
Why does everyone hate Henry Reardon? His family, friends and the media really dislike a person like him. There are signs popping up that the economy is taking a downward spiral but Henry has a prospering business and has created many jobs. Why is Miss Taggart his only admirer?
The book really takes off after chapter two. As we read on, we'll see that the same kind of people that resent the Henry Reardons of this world are now in control of our government and the public in general supports their philosophy. This book clearly reveals where our country is headed. Ayn Rand clearly shows us the road ahead. Hang on to your seats. This book will change your lives. Atlas Shrugged should be required reading for anyone running for political office today.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Chapter 2 - ATLAS SHRUGGED
Hello Everyone,
Not sure how far along everyone is but I have read Chapter 2. I found this Chapter more interesting then the first. It really kept my attention span getting deep into Hank Rearden's home life. I thought it was interesting that the Chapter is titled "The Chain" this could be interpreted in different ways... first obviously being rearden steel probably makes a lot of chains but also it was about the gift the chain he had crafted for his wife with the new material. But in a way I thought that it was also in reference to him being chained to his family in a metaphorical sense. Everyday he had to go home to them beating up on him. Everyone seemed to depend on him, so in a sense he was dragging them along on a chain behind him. Don't get me wrong though I am not sure if I am 100% sympathetic to Hank. I am sure that it must be hard on his wife having a workaholic husband... but some of the comments his family made were pretty hurtful to him, in particular his mother.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Atlas Shrugged - Chapter 1
Hi, this is Gary.
It's been several years since I read the book but this time I'll read it slowly and really get to the meat.
I don't want to give anything away but the oak tree described on pg.5 is rather interesting. "It stood there for hundreds of years, and he thought it would always stand there." It was Eddie's "greatest symbol of strength." Could this tree symbolize something else? Might it represent human institutions that we have put our faith in? I'll never tell but it might be a good idea to keep this tree in mind as you read the book.
Who is John Galt?
It's been several years since I read the book but this time I'll read it slowly and really get to the meat.
I don't want to give anything away but the oak tree described on pg.5 is rather interesting. "It stood there for hundreds of years, and he thought it would always stand there." It was Eddie's "greatest symbol of strength." Could this tree symbolize something else? Might it represent human institutions that we have put our faith in? I'll never tell but it might be a good idea to keep this tree in mind as you read the book.
Who is John Galt?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Atlas Shrugged
Whos ready to read? This is a thick book but I think we can do it!!
Go out and buy your book or go to the library. Lets figure out a new schedule. Maybe a chapter every two weeks? Instead of 2 chapters a week. Whatcha think??
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Last Two Chapters
Hi, this is Gary.
For those of you that haven't finished this book, I don't want to tell you about the ending other than to say you aren't missing anything if you stop reading the book wherever you might be.
At times the book did interest me, but for the most part it was rough reading. Why did Kacie like this book so much? I can only assume that it must have been the title.
Would anyone like to read Atlas Shrugged next? This was one of Kacie's favorites and is a true masterpiece. It has special meaning for our times and has changed the thinking of most people that have read it.
For those of you that haven't finished this book, I don't want to tell you about the ending other than to say you aren't missing anything if you stop reading the book wherever you might be.
At times the book did interest me, but for the most part it was rough reading. Why did Kacie like this book so much? I can only assume that it must have been the title.
Would anyone like to read Atlas Shrugged next? This was one of Kacie's favorites and is a true masterpiece. It has special meaning for our times and has changed the thinking of most people that have read it.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Greetings Everyone
Dear Fellow Book Club Members,
PLeasssssssssssssse don't feel bad about not keeping up with the book. We appreciate, MORE THAN YOU KNOW, all you have done in Kacie's memory. You all have helped us so much.
I will be finishing the book this weekend and it really does take a alot of time and concentration.
We were thinking of reading Atlas Shrugs next. If you're interested, just read it whenever you have the time, and Gary and I will try to post after reading every two chapters. Read it for enjoyment, no obligation to post.
We are so disappointed that we are not going to get up to Maryland when we thought. We have to postpone our trip but we will be there soon.
Love you guys, Nancy and Gary and Gus
PLeasssssssssssssse don't feel bad about not keeping up with the book. We appreciate, MORE THAN YOU KNOW, all you have done in Kacie's memory. You all have helped us so much.
I will be finishing the book this weekend and it really does take a alot of time and concentration.
We were thinking of reading Atlas Shrugs next. If you're interested, just read it whenever you have the time, and Gary and I will try to post after reading every two chapters. Read it for enjoyment, no obligation to post.
We are so disappointed that we are not going to get up to Maryland when we thought. We have to postpone our trip but we will be there soon.
Love you guys, Nancy and Gary and Gus
Thursday, September 18, 2008
horrible book club member- that would be me
i am a very bad book club member.... as i am way behind in my reading. i have been having trouble staying focused on my reading. I apologize for my lameness. Whats the next book you want to read Gary? Are you and Nancy both done with the book? Whats up with the other slackers like me?
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Seven & Eight
I like how Kenneth describes the love world, which seems so true. He says,
"I can understand entering the love world. I mean, that for hard-minded people the justification is the merchandising; shoes, dresses, purses, jewels, furs, styles, cosmetics. Also, there is pyschiatry; there is so much money in that".
Benno seems to be in another predictament, and may have been better off sticking with the flora world.
I'm interested to see what happens in Kenneth's world. Strange happening with Treckie's mother.
Well, onto the rest of the book.
"I can understand entering the love world. I mean, that for hard-minded people the justification is the merchandising; shoes, dresses, purses, jewels, furs, styles, cosmetics. Also, there is pyschiatry; there is so much money in that".
Benno seems to be in another predictament, and may have been better off sticking with the flora world.
I'm interested to see what happens in Kenneth's world. Strange happening with Treckie's mother.
Well, onto the rest of the book.
Chapters Seven and Eight
Hi, this is Gary.
I finished the book.
I messed up on my comments on the last two chapters. The shoulders of Uncle's wife are mentioned in chapter seven. The shoulder thing is kind of interesting. Apparently, Uncle is starting to wise up a little. I better not say more and ruin the ending.
Why was this Kacie's favorite book? I can't figure that one out. She read some incredible books like Atlas Shrugged but why would she pick this one. Could it have been the title? Or maybe it was Saul's bizarre sense of humor like when he took Uncle to make the rounds with the old ladies in the hospital.
Will the ending be a big surprise or will it just keep pace with the rest of the book and be totally predictable? I won't say more until next weekend.
I finished the book.
I messed up on my comments on the last two chapters. The shoulders of Uncle's wife are mentioned in chapter seven. The shoulder thing is kind of interesting. Apparently, Uncle is starting to wise up a little. I better not say more and ruin the ending.
Why was this Kacie's favorite book? I can't figure that one out. She read some incredible books like Atlas Shrugged but why would she pick this one. Could it have been the title? Or maybe it was Saul's bizarre sense of humor like when he took Uncle to make the rounds with the old ladies in the hospital.
Will the ending be a big surprise or will it just keep pace with the rest of the book and be totally predictable? I won't say more until next weekend.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Chapters 5 and 6
Well, I just finished chapters 5&6. The book is becoming more interesting with a lot of twists and turns in the lives of the characters and the dilemmas they are facing. Will be interesting to see what happens with Kenneth and Treckie. and Dita.
Chapters Five and Six
Hi, this is Gary.
The visit to the Electronic Tower and Dita's face were interesting events. Also, the mind games that the doctor plays with Ken are interesting and his wife's shoulders grabbed me.
This book is unusual to say the least. Kacie always had an interest in the strange and absurd. This if not your typical love story.
Well, on to the last two chapters. I'm not expecting a happy ending.
The visit to the Electronic Tower and Dita's face were interesting events. Also, the mind games that the doctor plays with Ken are interesting and his wife's shoulders grabbed me.
This book is unusual to say the least. Kacie always had an interest in the strange and absurd. This if not your typical love story.
Well, on to the last two chapters. I'm not expecting a happy ending.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
another book
I don't know if Kacie ever read this book. However, a while back she sent me this image on the internet. She liked to collect books sometimes just for the cover art and/or title and share them. This could have been one of those. Does anyone know anything else about this book? As for Chapters 3 and 4 I am a little behind in my reading. Will be back up to speed soon.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Chapters 3 and 4
I'm glad I stuck with the book also. If it had not been a Kacie inspired book cub, I probably would have put it down after the first chapter. Now, I find myself thinking about the book, its characters, and wondering, what next?
Words like "humongous" and "Benno" made me laugh because it reminds me of Kacie's sense of humor and how she would have used words and phrases like that.
Truly, Saul Bellow has covered just about every topic you could think of in these four short chapters... love, war, politics, relationships, humor.. the list goes on.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this book, and I thank my daughter for her inspiration and love of reading.
Words like "humongous" and "Benno" made me laugh because it reminds me of Kacie's sense of humor and how she would have used words and phrases like that.
Truly, Saul Bellow has covered just about every topic you could think of in these four short chapters... love, war, politics, relationships, humor.. the list goes on.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this book, and I thank my daughter for her inspiration and love of reading.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Chapters Three and Four
Hi, this is Gary.
I like this book. Saul is an excellent writer. His observations of life are amazing at times. He has got to be one of the greatest contemporary writers but I still would not put him in a class with Dickens or Hardy, the greatest of classical writers.
I can understand why Kacie really liked this book and Saul. His wit is sharp and his mastery of the English language is incredible. His humor is outrageous.
I found a little gem on page 184 about two thirds of the way down the page. It reads " And in every breast there's a glacier that has to be melted, otherwise love can't circulate." Who would have ever described love as circulating? Only Saul and Kacie. If you read Kacie's poem entitled "Love" there is a line that refers to love circulating in the blood. Could Kacie have borrowed this thought from Saul? Interesting............
Great writers can think thoughts that have never entered most of our heads. By conveying their thoughts to us we are able to go to places mentally that we've never been to before. They stretch our imaginations and change our view of life. This guy has that rare gift.
It took about three chapters for him to win me over and I plan to read more if not all of his books.
I bet that this book will have a great ending.
I like this book. Saul is an excellent writer. His observations of life are amazing at times. He has got to be one of the greatest contemporary writers but I still would not put him in a class with Dickens or Hardy, the greatest of classical writers.
I can understand why Kacie really liked this book and Saul. His wit is sharp and his mastery of the English language is incredible. His humor is outrageous.
I found a little gem on page 184 about two thirds of the way down the page. It reads " And in every breast there's a glacier that has to be melted, otherwise love can't circulate." Who would have ever described love as circulating? Only Saul and Kacie. If you read Kacie's poem entitled "Love" there is a line that refers to love circulating in the blood. Could Kacie have borrowed this thought from Saul? Interesting............
Great writers can think thoughts that have never entered most of our heads. By conveying their thoughts to us we are able to go to places mentally that we've never been to before. They stretch our imaginations and change our view of life. This guy has that rare gift.
It took about three chapters for him to win me over and I plan to read more if not all of his books.
I bet that this book will have a great ending.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
The First Two Chapters
Hi, this is Gary.
I guess I'll be the first to comment. Well, well, well.... Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. I'm at a loss for words.
First of all, I can't figure out why this would be Kacie's or anyone's favorite book. It's very complex and a little dry. Kacie also liked two great masterpieces, Atlas Shrugged and Great Expectations, so I really don't see the appeal here but maybe things will improve when we get into the other chapters.
There are two interesting characters here that obviously are very intelligent in most aspects of life but have a real problem relating to women. The flow of the story seems to be a little predictable. Obviously, they will see the error of their ways and smarten up or die of heartbreak. I'm guessing there will be a happy ending and they will change their ways.
Bellows is obviously a bright guy and obviously I am not so for me to really understand what's going on I would have to constantly consult a dictionary and encyclopedia.
I'll have a lot more to say I'm sure after reading the next two chapters but for now I'd like to hear what the rest of you have to say. Everybody likes a good love story but this seems a little strange and depressing. How about if we read Great Expectations next?
Please post this weekend.
I guess I'll be the first to comment. Well, well, well.... Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. I'm at a loss for words.
First of all, I can't figure out why this would be Kacie's or anyone's favorite book. It's very complex and a little dry. Kacie also liked two great masterpieces, Atlas Shrugged and Great Expectations, so I really don't see the appeal here but maybe things will improve when we get into the other chapters.
There are two interesting characters here that obviously are very intelligent in most aspects of life but have a real problem relating to women. The flow of the story seems to be a little predictable. Obviously, they will see the error of their ways and smarten up or die of heartbreak. I'm guessing there will be a happy ending and they will change their ways.
Bellows is obviously a bright guy and obviously I am not so for me to really understand what's going on I would have to constantly consult a dictionary and encyclopedia.
I'll have a lot more to say I'm sure after reading the next two chapters but for now I'd like to hear what the rest of you have to say. Everybody likes a good love story but this seems a little strange and depressing. How about if we read Great Expectations next?
Please post this weekend.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
questions up for discussion....
i have never really done this whole book club thing before... is there some sort of general questions we can all ask ourselves in order to create discussion? I figure we should try to start figuring out something. I know this has had kind of a slow start but I think once we can get it figured out and get in the hang of it it will go quicker...
Saturday, August 9, 2008
The First Chapter
Hi,
This is Gary. Has anyone else completed the first chapter? I won't comment on it yet other than to say that it's a very complex book and a little depressing. But, you really don't know what you've got in a book until the third or fourth chapter.
Please let me know when I should post a summary of what's going on and why Kacie found it interesting.
This is Gary. Has anyone else completed the first chapter? I won't comment on it yet other than to say that it's a very complex book and a little depressing. But, you really don't know what you've got in a book until the third or fourth chapter.
Please let me know when I should post a summary of what's going on and why Kacie found it interesting.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
First Book
I just ordered a copy of more die of heart break, but it won't be in for a few days. has there been any determination on how the read will go? beings that i am unemployed and don't do anything all day beside read four or five hours a day, i typically go through a book every three to four days. so let me know so i don't get ahead of schedule.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Dog Run
I just remembered a book Kacie told me to read about 6 or 7 years ago. Definitely not one of the classics like most of her other fav's. I remember her telling me a book called Dog Run was good. One day when she was working at Hallmark and I was off, I sat in B & N and read the entire book. It was actually really good. I believe I might have even seen it in her book collection at Mimi's house.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
reading speed
Okay how fast of a reader is everyone?
How busy is everyones schedule?
Do we want to talk about a chapter a week?
a couple chapters a week?
Sometimes it can be hard to put a book down but we dont want to spoil it for any of the slower readers or people that have less time to read.
Thoughts anyone?
Friday, July 25, 2008
More Die of Heartbreak by Saul Bellow
First Read:
I suggest the first book we should read is More Die of Heartbreak by Saul Bellow... I believe this was Kacie's absolute favorite. Realistically, lets plan on everyone whos interested to try and get the book by August 5th. Then we could read. Anyone have any suggestions for how to structure this? How many chapters we should read by x amount of time? Please chime in. Thanks. I am excited to do this!
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