Posted on 03/07/2009 7:48:34 AM PST by Publius
The part that I found interesting was Eddies decision to cut the ribbon only once not the three times that the press asked for. Had this decision been for his own values, he would have shown that he understood the action. I believe, however, he chose to because Dagny would have wanted it that way. Perhaps this is Rands demonstration of the subtleties of altruism. His action was decisive but for the wrong reason.
Maybe he symbolized the innocent, “civilian casualty” of the war with liberals.
Eddie is an 'in between'. He seems to live by someone elses convictions, never taking a stand for his own beliefs.
I read AS about 3 times before I understood that Rand’s books are philosophy books, not entertainment stories. If you approach it from that view point, it’s easier to read.
I had trouble with that too. You have to use "freeperbookclub". I guess you could go around to all the threads once you find them and add "atlasshrugged" or "aynrand" if you wanted to for the next time.
Try typing in Atlas Shrugged. It will automatically select the search type as “keywords”, but if you change that to “Titles” it should work just fine.
O ne
B ig
A ss
M istake
A merica!
Leaving the Denver Station the rails head west and pass just to the south of the old Rocky Flats Nuclear Facility location. It passes through a tunnel under HWY 93 before some switchbacks as the rail begins climbing the sudden appearance of the front range peaks. The line turns north and crosses a small bridge over HWY 72 (which follows Coal Creek Canyon)and gradually traverses the front range uprise for a few miles heading north. This section of track is cut into the side of the mountain and has very steep drop-offs and numerous, short tunnels through mountain ridges. The line turns sharply to the west at Eldorado Canyon and runs for 10-12 miles on the steep edge of the canyon high above South Boulder Creek and is very precarious looking until the town of Pinecliffe.
At the town of Pinecliffe the grade becomes much more gentle and the railway follows on the side of the creek past Rollinsville (which is where Wyatt Junction would be) and continues following the creek until entering the Moffat Tunnel which cuts about a six mile path under the continental divide and emerges right in the ski resort town of Winter Park.
This is the view with a fairly wide angle lens looking west from my house. The continental divide is the highest range of peaks and is generally 13,000 to just under 14,000 ft in this area. (hope the photo works, I can't tell in preview)
[IMG]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa124/mountainclmbr/Viewtothewestedit1.jpg[/IMG]
The rail line is in a difficult to see canyon that goes from the lower right of the photo and Rollinsville would be behind a ridge on the left edge of the photo. The Moffat Tunnel (no spoilers for later) is also on the left edge and is pretty far below tree line.
I know this is fiction, but a few observations: This part of the rail line has too many sharp turns to travel 100mph. Trains usually go only 20mph and there have been several major single train accidents even then. There is no major bridge on this section of the line. The oil shale is in western Colorado, not north-central Colorado. It is fiction, but I enjoy the tidbits that are based on reality!
I just bought Atlas Shrugged tonight so I am way behind. (Fat book small print I hope it grabs me or I’ll never make it to the end)
And thanks for holding off on the tunnel. It's one of the prize chapters in the book.
If you catch up with us at Chapter 10 or 11, that's OK.
I wondered about that part, too. I guess we’ll discuss it more later.
bttt
FYI I bought it last week and read a chapter a day to get caught up. The first few chapters can be challenging to get through, but keep in mind Rand is using those as a basic introduction to the characters. About chapter 4, the characters start interacting, that’s when I almost literally couldn’t put it down..
Thanks for the advise I am starting tonight.
Will do! I have wanted to read it for a long time, this is the perfect time.
I think that you hit the nail on the head about her writing style. I understood from talking to a (capitalist) friend who recommended the book to me that it was primarily a philosophy book. In spite of this I thought the 100MPH train ride was fun. I couldn’t wait to get to the bridge.
I usually feel alone in my opinions when I am among fellow workers, and neighbors. I choose my friends carefully,while my small family and I are largely in accord on most things political.
Appreciate the post in the midst of this also awesome AS Review.
Dagney is a strong woman, strong character. She conquers anything she sets her mind too. The train ride is part of this sex scene. Her train, Readon's steel. Is it really rough sex or passionate sex between strong people? If Dagney had said, "No." Hank would not have violated her.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.