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Mondak · 10-23-2007, 10:42 AM

First - the question first asked: why the sudden interest in Ayn Rand? A couple reasons that I am aware of:

Rand wrote the crown jewel of her work, Atlas Shrugged 50 years ago this month. There has been a good deal of celebration and recognition around that anniversary. You also had the media covering Alan Greenspan's new book, The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World earlier this month. Greenspan was a friend of Ayn Rand before she died and lists her often as inspiration, teacher and ongoing guide even after her death. There is a very long list of successful people who list her in a similar fashion even if they did not know her.

I agree that there is a lot of attention around her lately. In addition to the few sightings that are listed above, Angelina Jolie has been cast as Dagney Taggart, the heroine of Atlas Shrugged. It is due in 2008 or 2009. I suspect if you are seeing it a lot now, it is going to be a lot more prevalent in the coming months / years. (NOTE: I have no idea how you can do the book as a movie without missing the point, however if the only result is that lots of other people decide to read the book for themselves, then that is great)

Second - Since others have offered their opinions on Rand above, I will offer mine.

Ayn Rand is the single most influential author I have ever read. As opposed to the suggested audience listed above, I first read her when I was 30. The characters in The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged are amazing. Even though the books are written more than 50 years ago, I see these very same people every day throughout life. The books are so very well written with a plot that is quite compelling and thought provoking. I would speak to my wife for hours about what I had read that day while I was reading the books. The magic in the books is what I realized about myself and who I wanted to be while reading a fictional story. The most wonderful compliment she gave me though was that I didn't change my views on things as a result of reading the books. The difference is that I am so much better at expressing it.

The books are a challenge make no mistake. This is not some vapid romance story or pure entertainment novel. Rand's argument on man as a hero is well thought out and developed. She uses the characters (intensely in Atlas Shrugged, somewhat more subtly in The Fountainhead) to deliver that argument. If a reader just tries to blow through the book without truly processing what is being said, I can see it being a fairly unsatisfactory experience. Each point in the argument is submitted to the reader to weigh before moving on to the next point that may be related or built upon. The construction and order that she presents the information is key to its support - much like a building has to start with the foundation. The support the book delivers for her philosophy is anything but simple. It is solid, elegant and inspirational if a reader takes the time to understand it.

If someone has a preconceived notion about the book, it's purpose and the argument it delivers, I am sure it is easier to read it in such a way that skips / skims over parts of the book that end up causing cognitive dissonance (such as discussions of the moral base of a self interested person). It would be a wonderful challenge to read the book and instead of dismiss what you don't like or what makes you uncomfortable, understand exactly what your argument against it is what premises your argument is based upon.

A final thought: I would be willing to buy and send two separate TFP members a copy of The Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged (one to each) if they really wanted to read them. Please don't disrespect the offer and ask for them if you are not really going to read them.

- Atlas Shrugged is over 1100 pages and more challenging of the two but also more rewarding. The main character is a woman who runs a railroad in the late 40s or early 50s.

- The Fountainhead is just under 700 pages. The story is about an architect who lives his life without compromise. (As a personal note: this book had a tremendous positive effect on me in my personal life as well as professionally. I always sort of thought I was alone in the world and the way I approached life until I read this book. I have been inspired to live my life to a very high standard ever since.)

Since not a lot of people know me I will let you know that I am a successful business owner living outside San Diego California. While I did not grow up in poverty, I am most certainly a self made man - building what I have and working hard to create opportunities for myself.

I have been married for almost 7 years. My wife and I have a very healthy, solid realtionship. We have one son who is 2 years old. I'd be happy to share other details if it matters.

10-23-2007, 10:42 AM	#19 (permalink)
Mondak Industrialist Location: Southern California	First - the question first asked: why the sudden interest in Ayn Rand? A couple reasons that I am aware of: Rand wrote the crown jewel of her work, Atlas Shrugged 50 years ago this month. There has been a good deal of celebration and recognition around that anniversary. You also had the media covering Alan Greenspan's new book, The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World earlier this month. Greenspan was a friend of Ayn Rand before she died and lists her often as inspiration, teacher and ongoing guide even after her death. There is a very long list of successful people who list her in a similar fashion even if they did not know her. I agree that there is a lot of attention around her lately. In addition to the few sightings that are listed above, Angelina Jolie has been cast as Dagney Taggart, the heroine of Atlas Shrugged. It is due in 2008 or 2009. I suspect if you are seeing it a lot now, it is going to be a lot more prevalent in the coming months / years. (NOTE: I have no idea how you can do the book as a movie without missing the point, however if the only result is that lots of other people decide to read the book for themselves, then that is great) Second - Since others have offered their opinions on Rand above, I will offer mine. Ayn Rand is the single most influential author I have ever read. As opposed to the suggested audience listed above, I first read her when I was 30. The characters in The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged are amazing. Even though the books are written more than 50 years ago, I see these very same people every day throughout life. The books are so very well written with a plot that is quite compelling and thought provoking. I would speak to my wife for hours about what I had read that day while I was reading the books. The magic in the books is what I realized about myself and who I wanted to be while reading a fictional story. The most wonderful compliment she gave me though was that I didn't change my views on things as a result of reading the books. The difference is that I am so much better at expressing it. The books are a challenge make no mistake. This is not some vapid romance story or pure entertainment novel. Rand's argument on man as a hero is well thought out and developed. She uses the characters (intensely in Atlas Shrugged, somewhat more subtly in The Fountainhead) to deliver that argument. If a reader just tries to blow through the book without truly processing what is being said, I can see it being a fairly unsatisfactory experience. Each point in the argument is submitted to the reader to weigh before moving on to the next point that may be related or built upon. The construction and order that she presents the information is key to its support - much like a building has to start with the foundation. The support the book delivers for her philosophy is anything but simple. It is solid, elegant and inspirational if a reader takes the time to understand it. If someone has a preconceived notion about the book, it's purpose and the argument it delivers, I am sure it is easier to read it in such a way that skips / skims over parts of the book that end up causing cognitive dissonance (such as discussions of the moral base of a self interested person). It would be a wonderful challenge to read the book and instead of dismiss what you don't like or what makes you uncomfortable, understand exactly what your argument against it is what premises your argument is based upon. A final thought: I would be willing to buy and send two separate TFP members a copy of The Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged (one to each) if they really wanted to read them. Please don't disrespect the offer and ask for them if you are not really going to read them. - Atlas Shrugged is over 1100 pages and more challenging of the two but also more rewarding. The main character is a woman who runs a railroad in the late 40s or early 50s. - The Fountainhead is just under 700 pages. The story is about an architect who lives his life without compromise. (As a personal note: this book had a tremendous positive effect on me in my personal life as well as professionally. I always sort of thought I was alone in the world and the way I approached life until I read this book. I have been inspired to live my life to a very high standard ever since.) Since not a lot of people know me I will let you know that I am a successful business owner living outside San Diego California. While I did not grow up in poverty, I am most certainly a self made man - building what I have and working hard to create opportunities for myself. I have been married for almost 7 years. My wife and I have a very healthy, solid realtionship. We have one son who is 2 years old. I'd be happy to share other details if it matters. __________________ All truth passes through three stages: First it is ridiculed Second, it is violently opposed and Third, it is accepted as self-evident. ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)