Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged: A Philosophical and Literary Companion (Kindle Edition)
June 10th, 2010
Product Description
Since its publication in 1957 “Atlas Shrugged”, the philosophical and artistic climax of Ayn Rand’s novels, has never been out of print and has received enormous critical attention becoming one of the most influential books ever published, impacting on a variety of disciplines including philosophy, literature, economics, business, and political science among others. More than a great novel, “Atlas Shrugged” is an abstract conceptual, and symbolic work that expounds a radical philosophy, presenting a view of man and man’s relationship to existence and manifesting the essentials of an entire philosophical system – metaphysics, epistemology, politics and ethics. Celebrating the fiftieth year of “Atlas Shrugged’s” publication, this companion is an exploration of this monumental work of literature. Contributions have been specially commissioned from a diversity of eminent scholars who admire and have been influenced by the book, the included essays analyzing the novel’s integrating elements of theme, plot and characterization from many perspectives and from various levels of meaning.
About the Author
Edward Younkins is one of the leading scholars on the works of Ayn Rand in the world. He is the author of ‘Capitalism and Commerce’ and ‘Philosophers of Capitalism: Menger, Mises, Rand and Beyond’.
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Very few novels have stood the test of time. This year marks a venerable exception to this axiom, with the fiftieth aniversary of the first publication of Ayn Rand’s groundbreaking novel Atlas Shrugged, which has never been out of print since its inititial publication. Hugely popular among literature and philosophy buffs alike, it has meant many different things to many people over the years. To some, it is just an entertaining story with fascinating characters and plot twists, while to others it is the cornerstone of their business, political, economic, and life’s philosophy.
One such man, Dr. Edward Younkins of Wheeling Jesuit University, has long argued the merits and deeper meaning of Ayn Rand’s ideas and Objectivist philosophy, which was laid out so completely in her culminating work, Atlas Shrugged. While Dr. Younkins has authored other works on related ideas, he may well consider this his crowning achievement. Few have understood this complex and artistic work with the depth and breadth of Dr. Younkins, and he has worked with many of the worlds leading scholars, authors, philosophers, businessmen, and educators to compile thirty six different essays on various aspects of Atlas Shrugged. Each contributor has laid out in easily understood form a different aspect of Atlas Shrugged and its significance to the human condition.
Dr. Younkins has then organized each of these separate works into a comprehensive companion, designed to help anyone understand the deeper truths Ayn Rand worked so hard to articulate to those who are willing to look. After reading Dr. Younkins’ companion compilation, it is clear to anyone why the works of Ayn Rand have had such staying power and influence over the best and brightest minds of our age, from such minds as Alan Greenspan all the way down to the causal reader just looking for a good story. Anyone wanting to expand their knowledge and understanding of this classic work need look no further.
There are many different themes in this book. Most notable are the tones of capitalism vs. communism and the the producers in society vs. those who mooch off of the government.
Dagny Taggart is the female protagonist. This is a story about one person’s fight against government corruption and greed. As an executive for one of the biggest railroads in the country run by her brother, she is frustrated by the lack of production from other workers until she runs into Henry Rearden, a scientist who has created his own metal plant and through many hours of hard work has grown the company to be one of the best in the industry. The two discover they have a lot of ideas in common in regards to work ethic and business practices.
Against Dagny and Henry (and many other industry giants introduced in the book) is the government which believes that they should share the wealth they have created for themselves from their own hard work with the rest of the world. In addition, they should share the secrets of their success with the rest of the world so that other companies can produce the same product without having to put in the same amount of work.
John M. Vanderslice
A very good and helpful discussion of one of the most important books of the 20th century. It has a very good plot summary. Do not read this book until you read Atlas Shrugged.