Sometimes, travel takes the form of a book

A bridge played a big role in 'Atlas Shrugged'

I went on a different journey this past week.

I picked up a copy of "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand from the library.

I told my wife I would have to read about a pound and a half of book each week to finish it up in three weeks. 

Notice, I didn't say pages.

Capitalists like in novel, built this city - San Francisco's TransAmerica building

The book is a good exercise in reading and carrying it from place to place, finding a location with good light, is a good physical exercise. The 35th anniversary edition comes in right at five pounds.

I am not much into reading fiction. I like to read travel stories, investment articles and "end of the world" tomes.

But the book has been talked about recently, what with all that is going on in the world. And it is almost as though one is reading of current day-to-day activities.

From Friday to Monday night, I spent more time reading the book than on my computer surfing the internet. That is saying a lot. 

I had gotten an idea of what the book was about, and maybe how it would end.

But I didn't jump to the last page to check it out.

 Novel's protagonist ran railroad company, but not like this one

I'm surprised that I have devoted so much time to it. But it is good read. Good characters, good dialogue and an exceptionally good story line.

It seems that through the first 300 pages, the main characters in the book were thrown a "curve" about every 20 pages or so. They didn't see the curve coming (like in baseball) and weren't always able to hit it and get on base.

But they persevered and tried to make the best out of a bad situation.

The book has the full gamut of capitalists and progressives and other worldly types.

I am surprised that what I am reading, that was written more than 50 years ago, mirrors things that are happening today.

Human nature never changes. The same types of people in the book are the same types who are walking the streets today. And it will always be that way.

But I digress, I've spent enough time on this post. I've got to get back to reading the last 700 or 800 pages before my time is up.

Next post: Sept. 25, 2012