Anthem

By: Ayn Rand

Narrated by: Paul Meier

Ayn Rand's classic best seller, Anthem, is the unforgettable tale of a nightmarish totalitarian future and the ultimate triumph of the individual spirit. First published in 1938, and often compared with Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World, this beautifully written story has introduced millions to Rand's provocative worldview.

Rand's Protagonist, Equality 7-2521, describes a surreal world of faceless, nameless drones who "exist through, by and for our brothers who are the State. Amen." Alone, this daring young man defies the will of the ruling councils and discovers the forbidden freedoms that prevailed during the Unmentionable Times. In other words, he finds and celebrates the power of the self. In doing so, he becomes the prototypical Rand hero, a bold risk-taker who shuns conformity and unabashedly embraces egoism.

This exciting dramatization features an electrifying performance by veteran actor and former BBC Drama Repertory Company member Paul Meier. It is certain to be the definitive recording of Anthem and a milestone in audio interpretation of literary classics.

Public Domain (P)2002 HighBridge Company

Superb!

It took me down memory lane to 1979 when I first read it. It was a mindblower then and even more powerful now. It's amazing how right Rand was and is. Narration was phenomenal. Several passages are very moving some brought chills. You will not be disappointed.

Who are you?

Want a fascinating story that puffs up the core of "you"? One word sums this story up, Ego, and not in the way you may imagine. Dive in and get carried away and I hope you find your Ego.

Cliches Start Somewhere

This dystopian tale is a cliche, but the cliche came after Rand wrote this. This fast but insightful story is a warning against the evils of collectivism, and rings as true today as the day it was written.

The power of I in a society of we

I enjoyed the perspective, The ideology of going from respect and appreciation for our individuality to a society centered on socialism is a special kind of dystopia. The end has a few monologues that while powerful were a tad distracting because of the change in tempo and pace but the story is very true to the authors style. I liked it.

Still Resonates

Any Rand’s powerful short story about the perils of totalitarian collectivism still resonates to this day. The states complete control of an individuals life course, the use of gender neutral language and the complete lack of personal autonomy shows the dangers of state overreach. The book was very well narrated. I preferred the first half to the second half.

meh

Nothing particularly new in dystopia and cringe narration with even cringier music sometimes. Just read Brave New World and 1984 and you've already read this.

great work

We read this book years ago, when we found out that the Rush rock opera 2112 was based on this book and loved it.
Listening now many years later, more than 25. We still love it. We won't even go into how politically apt it is now with the election season on us.
I, yes I said it, I, recommend this book to all.

wow

the end of chapter 11 blew my mind. great book for the intellectual mind. great views on individualism and the true value of the word I

I.

Ayn Rand's books are not supposed to be manuals, but they seem to more and more be exactly that.

Preaching the danger of collectivism using an extreme society in which the very mention of the word "I" is verboten, it's hard not to draw a parallel to the "modern" world in which living for yourself is taboo, but living for others is a venerated position. The message is clear: reject collectivism. Reject self-immolation. Reject it all.

You own yourself and the products of your labor and what you do with yourself and the product of your labor is your decision to be made freely by you.

It's a beautiful message and one that needs to be taken to heart, particularly today.

short Rand Read

Just finished reading this interesting novel....I think it may be shorter than some chapters in the last Rand Book I read...Atlas Shrugged...a little tedious until you get used to call sign type numeric names. I chilling tale warning about collectivism and the demonization of technology.