Anthem (Version 4)


Read by Greg Giordano

(4.5 stars; 78 reviews)

Ayn Rand is best known for her classics Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. One of her earlier works, Anthem, is a dystopian vision of a world in which “self” has been abolished and people have become nothing more than parts of a greater “collective.” Rooted in her own experiences fleeing from the communist Russia of the 1920’s, as well as the rise of fascism in Italy and National Socialism in Germany, Rand wrote Anthem as a warning to all concerned with losing personal identity in an ever changing and rapidly developing world. Summary by Greg Giordano (2 hr 11 min)

Chapters

Part One 33:28 Read by Greg Giordano
Part Two 20:43 Read by Greg Giordano
Part Three 4:58 Read by Greg Giordano
Part Four 4:08 Read by Greg Giordano
Part Five 5:23 Read by Greg Giordano
Part Six 6:53 Read by Greg Giordano
Part Seven 13:56 Read by Greg Giordano
Part Eight 5:15 Read by Greg Giordano
Part Nine 9:26 Read by Greg Giordano
Part Ten 9:13 Read by Greg Giordano
Part Eleven 6:31 Read by Greg Giordano
Part Twelve 11:45 Read by Greg Giordano

Reviews

Good reader


(4 stars)

Good reader, but the novel holds individualism in such a high regard that it does anything to make collectivism seem stupid and evil.

Quality Reading


(3 stars)

The reader did a great job. Really appreciate it. This is my first Ayn Rand book. I hope the rest get better. Early book, so there is some forgiveness for that. This is a very thinly veiled stab at Communism, the giving of all to the state and society. I give her credit for the gender neutral style and lack of self in the writing. It was hard to listen too and confusing at times but helped make her point. Must have been hard to write it as well. Too bad she didn't develop any depth of story or character. At one point I was hoping they would martyr the main character by burning at the stake just so the book would end. Also she sure is no Feminist. The girl in the book is portrayed as a very superficial human following her man blindly with thoughts only of clothing and shiny things. The man is hell bent on producing sons. His woman is pregnant, and he assumes it's with a son. Big shocker for him if he has only daughters and has his plans for starting a new master race with only sons thwarted. Where was he planning to get willing women for all these sons? I get it. She wanted to write a book people (men) would accept and hopefully think about the concepts. She could have taken some lessons from Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote a compelling novel against slavery way back in 1852 that even passes the Bechdel test. Three stars because of the gender neutral style. Otherwise I'd give it one and a half for simply being controversial but only in communist countries.

A Song of Myself


(4 stars)

This is an upbeat book. The story and message rise in symphonic splendor. The primary character misses one very important fact by the end, the true purpose of life--If man is the end of all than life itself is empty. Exceptionally well read and written! I enjoyed it very much, but know beyond all doubt that the God of the Bible alone brings purpose to life.

Excellent reading, not long


(5 stars)

The reader is excellent. The story is a great warning against the willful surrendering of the individual's sense of self importance and ultimately very concept of the individul. I listened in its entirety on a Sunday afternoon and the reader held my attention.

A gripping tale, so relevant to our times.


(5 stars)

The reader does a lovely job of presenting Ayn Rand's work. Incredibly valuable insights to be found here. Shines a light on what we should be weary of letting go for the collective.

Pretty good


(4 stars)

The narrator is clear, and the tone in his voice is varied enough to keep interest. The material is an intriguing story. a warning against socialist adoption and trust in the collective.

worth a listen


(4 stars)

A good story overall and not to long. The ending was a little disappointing. The audio volume is good. The reader is clear but monotone.


(4 stars)

I disagree with the central ideas of the book and the philosophy of ayn rand but the book itself is written well and is enjoyable enough to read.