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Byte size (BiO) Spiritualism on Matters of Integration, for pennies a bite:“Your psychology’s three most important elements:/x,x,x”.... New Age spiritualisms are weird and are proof that Religion does not have a monopoly on faulty reasoning.BiO Spiritualism is not New Age, it is rather the integrated application of ... ... Read more

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In this talk, Dr. Kelley explains why the currentideological battle is shifting from economics and politics to ethicsand culture, and why this creates a tremendous opportunity forObjectivism. He discusses the challenges of communicating theObjectivist ethic to a public that is hungry for values. ... Read more

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Byte size (BiO) Spiritualism on Matters of Reason, for pennies a bite:“As [your own] Therapist check your life premises/Every man (woman and child over the age of 12) is an island.”, This bite, for your “chewing” pleasure, contains no fewer than 35 life premises that everyone should check.... If you are more than 12 years old, then there is a secret you can be let in on.That secret is ... ... Read more

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The Film American Beauty was a huge box office and critical success, which engendered fierce cultural debates as to its meaning. In a highly original, philosophical analysis of the movie, Dr. Kelley offers his own explanation -- that it is a case study of the alignment of forces in our culture today, particularly as an index to views about individualism. ... Read more

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David Ross offers an engaging view of what he considers to be one of Ayn Rand’s most important contributions to philosophy: the objective-subjective-intrinsic trichotomy. In creating this trichotomy, Rand not only provided a method of identifying philosophical and psychoepistemological errors and bad ideas, but also illuminated the nature of objectivity and good ideas. Using examples from cinema, biology, ethics, and the culinary arts, Dr. Ross presents the basics of Intrinsicism and Subjectivism, both as philosophical approaches and as thinking styles, and demonstrates how they stand in stark contrast to the objective approach and to one another. ... Read more

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Though Ayn Rand glorified the power of reason totransform the world, many people, including Objectivists, remaindeeply pessimistic. What are the sources of such pessimism? How can weacquire the can-do spirit of Rand's heroes? Mr. Bidinotto explains howhe transformed his own pessimistic outlook and offers Objectivists andnon-Objectivists a message of hope. ... Read more

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Who is John Galt? This famous rhetorical question rings through Ayn Rand's best-selling novel as the people's anthem of despair in depressed economic times. Set in the future, the novel follows capitalist magnates as they battle looters, strikers, and the impending ruin of the United States' economy. The romantic and intellectual relationship between Dagny Taggart, the heroine, and John Galt, whose identity as the leader of the strike is eventually revealed, carries the novel to its climax.

This novel, controversial when it first appeared in 1957, purports Rand's objectivist philosophy that the individual is free to pursue his or her own happiness without bowing to God or society. Objectivism in action upholds full laissez-faire capitalism as the only philosophy that can protect humankind's freedom to think, to be inventive, and to live productively. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

doom
everyone should read at least the cliff notes if not the complete book. Also read "the camp of the saints" and "road to serfdom"
We are so doomed!

Excellent analysis and summation
Have repeatedly read Ayn Rand's books over the last 50 years, but wanted to read an outside view of what I consider her best work -- Atlas shrugged.I was extremely impressed with the quality of the Cliff Notes, which kept a level and fair presentation of all the complex philosophical points so key to this author's work.This book let me see a new side to a much loved story, ideology, and author.Thank you.

Does Not Do Justice to Atlas Shrugged
Just read the book.Having read both, your teacher (if competent) will know you read the Cliff's Notes for Atlas Shrugged.

Great Summation
Comprehensive summary of the characters, themes and philosophy of Atlas Shrugged. I have read Atlas Shrugged MANY times and it never gets old. The Cliff Notes really help to keep the complex novel from getting overwhelming. First time I ever bought "Cliff Notes."Well worth it for the true Ayn Rand fan.

I was mistaken
Unfortunately I didn't take time enough to see what this book was and it wasn't what I wanted.I read a little of it and it is an excellent book for what it is. ... Read more

Product Description
Rarely has a writer and thinker of the stature of Ayn Rand afforded us access to her most intimate thoughts and feelings. From Journals of Ayn Rand, we gain an invaluable new understanding and appreciation of the woman, the artist, and the philosopher, and of the enduring legacy she has left us.

Rand comes vibrantly to life as an untried screenwriter in Hollywood, creating stories that reflect her youthful vision of the world. We see her painful memories of communist Russia and her struggles to conveyy them in We the Living. Most fascinating is the intricate, step-by-step process through which she created the plots and characters of her two masterworks, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, and the years of painstaking research that imbued the novels with their powerful authenticity.

Complete with reflections on her legendary screenplay concerning the making of the atomic bomb and tantalizing descriptions of projects cut short by her death, Journals of Ayn Rand illuminates the mind and heart of an extraordinary woman as no biography or memoir ever could. On these vivid pages, Ayn Rand lives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Worthless
Harriman edited and altered Rand's journal entries without noting it.This makes this book worthless.And this kind of dishonesty from Harriman is, to use one of Rand's favorite words, evil!

Valueless
For her recently published book, Goddess of the Market: Ayn Rand and the American Right, Professor Jennifer Burns was granted access to the Ayn Rand Archives; this included access to Ayn Rand's journals.

She found that Rand's journals had been edited by David Harriman in ways that are "significant and problematic."Burns said Harriman's changes "significantly alter Rand's meaning" in a number of cases, transforming the tentative and evolving ideas in Rand's notes into "a slick manufactured world in which all her ideas are definite, well formulated, and clear."In effect, Burns is saying that the published Journals are valueless as a scholarly source.Scholars and other readers who take Rand seriously will have to wait until a full and accurate version of the Journals becomes available.Until then, stay away from this travesty.

Waste of time
Ayn Rand lived and breathed truthiness long before Stephen Colbert invented the term.She defined reality as she wanted to see it, despite the fact that reality did not support her perception.Ayn Rand was a deeply flawed individual and this is reflected in her writings.If you are a psychology student, there may be some value for you here in how far astray from reality human perspective can wander.

An Important Book About an Amazing Woman
If you happen to be an intellectual struggling through the travails of achieving very long-range goals, then this book has a mother load of precious gems for you to mine. You have to work at it, though. You have to want it. You have to already know what it's like to sit day after day in front of a white piece of paper and force yourself to work—especially to solve difficult mental problems on your own. Serious intellectual work is tough going, and this book will show you just how tough it was even for one of the brightest minds the world has ever known, yet it will also help you to see how that same mind overcame those challenges.

For me, reading this book was a little like having Ayn Rand come back as a ghost to hover over me, urging me on in my struggles to be a fiction writer, promising me that I will succeed if I work hard enough, employ good study methods, always engage my own values, and above all use reason as my guide.

This book is not for everyone. Though David Harriman did a remarkable job of selecting the right content and sorting it for clarity and readability, it remains just what the title states: Ayn Rand's personal journals. It is not a diary. There's nothing here about personal hobbies, romance, or life's milestones. Only her writing notes were included so that the reader can see a straightforward record of the orderly mental processes that she applied to her work.

Personally, I found this book to be challenging, informative, and highly inspirational — a fascinating look into a fascinating mind.

An Excellent Companion to the Letters
The JOURNALS OF AYN RAND is an important addition to the large body of work by and about Ayn Rand.This work is put out by Rand's Estate, which worked with scholars associated with the Ayn Rand Institute (ARI).JOURNALS contains an introduction and notes by editor David Harriman which are, for the most part, helpful.There is a forward by Leonard Peikoff which is pretty much what you would expect.

Rand wrote out her notes in complete sentences, so there is a good deal of lengthy philosophical and other matters contained in this book.One of the best parts her notes for a work Rand started after THE FOUNTAINHEAD, called THE MORAL BASIS OF INDIVIDUALISM.It's over 60 pages long.Particularly revealing are the notes for an early story called "The Little Street" which is highly Nietzschian in tone, as even the editor had to admit.(Peikoff's forward attempts to downplay the influence of Nietzsche on Rand's thought.)

One thing I found interesting is that most of the journal entries are before 1955.However, Rand didn't start writing philosophical essays until after that.JOURNALS includes some notes for the articles that make up INTRODUCTION TO OBJECTIVIST EPISTEMOLOGY, but that's about it. Editor Harriman tells us that Rand made only brief outlines for her philosophical essays, and felt that publishing them wouldn't add much.I would like to take Harriman's word for it.But was there no benefit to publishing these outlines?This might be a minor point, but for the fact that there are reasons to question the accuracy of the JOURNALS.Prior to this book, some small portions of Rand's journals were published by ARI-associated scholars.In an entry dated January 20, 1947, the previously published version contains a reference to Albert J. Nock, which is left out in the version published in JOURNALS.There are other changes as well, such as the removal of "duty" in a passage on ethics.[Sciabarra,"Bowlderizing Ayn Rand", Liberty, Sept. 1998.]This isn't a big deal to fans and casual students, but to scholars attempting to sort out the influence of other thinkers on Rand's thought, it is a big problem. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Reason, published by Reason Foundation on March 1, 2005. The length of the article is 511 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Rand redux.(Editor's Note)(Ayn Rand)(Brief Article)
Author: Nick Gillespie
Publication: Reason (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 1, 2005
Publisher: Reason Foundation
Volume: 36Issue: 10Page: 4(1)

Article Type: Brief Article

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Product Description
This digital document is an article from Journal of Psychology and Theology, published by Thomson Gale on September 22, 2006. The length of the article is 10947 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Psychology and religion: hermeneutic reflections.
Author: Frank C. Richardson
Publication: Journal of Psychology and Theology (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 22, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 34Issue: 3Page: 232(14)

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This digital document is an article from Reason, published by Reason Foundation on March 1, 2005. The length of the article is 3022 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Ayn Rand at 100: loved, hated, and always controversial, the best-selling author of The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged is more relevant than ever.
Author: Cathy Young
Publication: Reason (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 1, 2005
Publisher: Reason Foundation
Volume: 36Issue: 10Page: 22(8)

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Ayn Rand's letters were written to be read. This witty and penetrating collection of her correspondence with Hollywood luminaries, political writers, philosophers, family members, artists, businessmen, and fans offers an unparalleled look at the past 50 years of her life and career. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Get to Know the Real Ayn Rand
I must confess, when I first received Letters of Ayn Rand from my sister as a birthday present, I wasn't very motivated to read it.I had read most of Ayn Rand's novels and a few books and essays about her life, so I thought it would be very similar to what I already knew about her.Was I pleasantly surprised!Reading her personal letters written to everyone from literally the boy and girl next door to Frank Lloyd Wright and Barbara Stanwyck gave me an insight into Rand's personality and values that can't be found elsewhere.What comes out in her letters is how seriously she takes not only her own ideas, but the ideas of others.The book is organized chronologically, so one can trace the development of her ideas as well as her successes (and a few disappointments). I was also very surprised to learn how actively involved she was in the marketing of her novels.She wasn't just passively standing by hoping people would read her novels; rather, she gave suggestions to the publisher and edited marketing materials.I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the fascinating personality and incredible mind behind The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged.

The Other Side of Ayn Rand
This collection of Ayn Rand's letters is an interesting and important addition to her works.It was edited by Michael Berliner, then-executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute.(ARI advocates the "Official Objectivism" of Leonard Peikoff.)For those who know Rand through her at times shrill writing and the self-serving accounts of former insiders, this collection presents a valuable "other side" to Rand.Written over a period of 55 years, we read love letters to her husband, letters to friends and fans, and letters to politicians.In fact, Rand corresponded with some of the most famous people of the century, such as Alexander Kerensky, H. L. Mencken, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Barry Goldwater, to name a few.The philosophical portions of the letters are quite meaty, and Rand obviously put a great deal of effort into her correspondence.

Not surprisingly, the only letters to Nathaniel Branden included were written before he became her associate.The end result is that Branden's contributions to Objectivism are downplayed, which is typical of the material produced by the ARI.(For example, even though Rand approved of Branden's writings published prior to their split, they do not appear in THE AYN RAND LEXICON or other post-split collections.)

The most interesting selections are the letters to Isabel Paterson and the distinguished philosopher John Hospers.In order to get permission to quote Hospers' comments contained in Rand's letters, the editor was obliged to include a statement from Hospers.As Hospers says, Rand occasionally misrepresented or misunderstood his point, so printing only Rand's letters to Hospers makes him "look like a bloody fool. . . . And that isn't quite fair, is it?"

It's a shame someone has to die...
...in order for a book like this to be published.But finally we get a real look into the private life of a fascinating author and philosopher.Having just finished a number of years at PSU, it seems clear that Objectivism is making headway as a serious philosophical view.

I'm more interested in music myself than philosophy, but I did notice that in the study of philosophy the Ball that Miss Rand got rolling so many years ago has gathered quite a bit of size and speed.Her ideas made sense to me both before and after I studied Logic, Semantics, and Philosophy.In fact, after studying the "big boys," as one professor of mine called them, I definitely saw a need for a philosophy that states that things are what they are!!

Anyway, I'm devouring this book!!!

Maybe worthwhile for Rand scholars....
Perhaps I was just coming down off of an Ayn Rand high when I read this, but whatever the case, this collection of correspondance just doesn't deserve a place beside Rand's self-published work, which is in sufficient abundance to make a collection like this unwarranted.

If you are thoroughly absorbed into Rand's Cult of Personality (amazingly effective even after her death), then you will probably enjoy this work.There was certainly a time where I would have devoured every letter.If, on the other hand, you have been impressed and affected by The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, We The Living, or Anthem, I would strongly suggest working through Rand's nonfiction before diving into this book.

Spectacular!
Ayn Rand is the author of numerous philosophical works, fiction and non-fiction alike. She is best known as the founder of her unique Objectivist philosophy, which is essentially concerned with individual men acting in their own rational self-interests, coupled with a strong moral defense of free-market Capitalism. Her ideas are very complex, yet easily grasped by the interested reader.

“Letters of Ayn Rand” is a wonderful book for Rand fans, however I think many of the ideas will be lost on newcomers. “Letters” contains almost 60 years worth of personal letters Miss Rand wrote during the course of her lifetime. We have a very wide range of recipients for her letters here, everyone from philosophers, heads of state, newspapermen, literary agents, Hollywood types, fans, political organizations, you name it. Rand was just as eloquent and blunt with her letter writing as with her “serious” writing.

I very much enjoyed following Rand’s career through these letters. We start with a young Russian woman trying to settle in to American life, through a writer’s struggles to get her work published, and ending with the writings of an established philosopher ahead of her time. Rand fought tooth and nail to get both “The Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged” published as written, however we learn that she was not entirely against having editorial assistance. Rand understood the editor’s job of providing constructive criticism of her work; however she always stood tall and insisted on making any sort of changes to her works personally. She never tolerated any sort of editorial “rewrites” of her novels or her original screenplays, etc.; Rand fought many tough battles with editors, publishers, film producers, etc. during the course of her writing career for the purpose of having her work stand as written by her hand ALONE. This was very difficult to do back in the 40s and 50s (probably more so today), as witnessed by her numerous letters to the powers-that-be.

Rand was brutally honest with everyone she wrote letters to, including family members and adoring fans. Rand was helping to support a niece during the girl’s troubled high school days. Rand then found out that the girl and her caretakers weren’t being up front with her, and subsequently told her relatives in no uncertain terms that Rand’s assistance for the girl is NOT charity and that her help is NOT unconditional. In other instances, fans of Rand who misinterpreted her books were shown little sympathy; not because Rand was against teaching fundamentals of her philosophy (she acted as a teacher far more often than not), but because the letter-writer seemed to have purposefully missed Rand’s crucial philosophical points. Rand had no patience for those who would claim to be fans of “The Fountainhead”, yet ask her to support causes that did not match the ideas of her novels. Her voice is always clear, and her uncompromising use of reason and logic are unmatched.

There are some complaints from other reviewers regarding the choice of publishing Rand’s numerous letters to philosopher John Hospers. The argument revolves around the choice of not publishing Hospers’s responses to Rand, and that the letters presented here are “one-sided”. While I can understand the argument, the fact is that this book is intended to be “Letters of Ayn Rand”, not “Letters of John Hospers”. It is made clear to the reader that Rand and Hospers had numerous conversations other than their written correspondence, and Rand’s letters to Hospers are only a small portion of their conversations. Therefore, EVEN IF Hospers letters were published alongside Rand’s, the discussions between the two would remain incomplete. I myself have no problem reading Rand’s letters to him without having the other side published, mostly because I trust Rand to have been honest with her rebuttals of Hospers’s ideas.

Another complaint revolves around the lack of letters to / from Nathaniel Branden. The philosophical split between Rand and Branden is well known, however I think the choice to ignore their (probable) arguments within these pages was a sound one. Certainly, Rand and Branden’s long term working relationship included far more than dissenting letters between the two of them. Branden and Rand worked side by side for many years, and I find it unlikely that the details of their split are to be found strictly in the form of “letters” to each other. It is much better for both parties in my opinion to refrain from detailing their split, as Rand is not longer with us to defend herself. Truly, I would love to know what went on to cause their split, but I would rather know nothing at all than hear only one side.

I came away with a better understanding of many of Rand’s ideas, which is significant because I have already read the bulk of Rand’s published works. Rand arrives at her conclusions in a different manner within her letters, and the “different” approach presented here served to make clearer her attitudes towards life and politics. Certainly, it was a blessing to read her answers to specific questions, as there are ideas within her work that are difficult to grasp when told from only one angle.

This book is a treasure trove for all Rand fans, but is not for beginners. Rand makes many references to characters and events within her philosophical novels that come across as cryptic to readers not familiar with the material. After reading “Letters of Ayn Rand” in full, the Rand “novice” would come away with a rudimentary, patchwork feel for her ideas at best, so I cannot recommend this book unless you have already read “The Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged” at the very least. ... Read more

Product Description
In an astonishing journey, Ayn Rand transformed herself from a shopkeeper's daughter to one of the world's leading advocates of laissez-faire capitalism. She celebrated business, especially the heavy industries that dominated America, and the entrepreneurs who founded and built them. She constructed a philosophy known as Objectivism—strict adherence to reality, reason, and self-interest—to prove that her epic image of business was the right one. Ayn Rand and Business is both relevant and valuable to today's business readers, providing insightful lessons for managers, traders, and entrepreneurs alike. Rand wrote about topics including the free agent marketplace and the necessity of creating one in order to lead it, corporate strategies, individual achievement, and the relationship between employer and employee. Ayn Rand, author of The Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged, was one of the most controversial figures of her time and influenced many through her novels and philosophy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

The Best BusinessBook I have Read in Two Years
I read A LOT. A friend bought me this book just before I left on holiday for Cuba, and I read it in the last socialist bastion in the world. If you're in business, this is the book that most clearly defines the ideal philosophy for entrepreneurial success. I have read and loved all Ayn Rand's books, and this one really puts everything into perspective. Get a philosophical "check-up from the neck up" and share it with your partners and associates. If they don't love this book, they're probably not ideal business partners! Easy, fun read, that reveals any roadblocks in your thinking.
Robin J. Elliott www.DollarMakers.com

Useful but slanted
This book does a decent job of showing how application of Ayn Rand's philosophy can improve your performance at work and your company's performance, but the authors have some incorrect notions of the scope of Ayn Rand's philosophy and it's proponents.The book can best be enjoyed by skipping the first section of the book which doesn't really pertain to the subject of the book.For the essence of her philosophy, I'd recommend Ayn Rand's "For the New Intellectual".

Excellent Intro to Rand
This book is an excellent introduction to Rand's philosophy examined from the point of view of its applications in business. Not a how-to, really, but a good launching point for further study and consideration. Well-written and very readable.

Insightful!
Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism celebrates the underlying principles of capitalism: reason, independence and just plain selfishness. Donna Greiner and Theodore Kinni lay out the fundamentals of Objectivism and attempt to describe how you can integrate its beliefs into your life and your business. The book is written in the spirit of Rand's own outlook: It is anchored in practicality, well organized and goal-oriented. Even so, some executives might lose patience with the philosophic nature of the work. We advise such readers to move on. However, we from getAbstract recommend this book to intellectually curious readers in search of a moral, ethical, or even philosophic foundation for their business life.

APPLIED OBJECTIVISM
When I first scanned "Ayn Rand and Business," I was a little skeptical about where this book was going and where its authors were coming from. But after reading it, I say it is stupendous.

I'd subtitle it "Applied Objectivism," in the same sense that one would speak of applied electronics where principles are applied to create all kinds of devices and equipment run by electricity. "Ayn Rand and Business" applies the principles of Objectivism to the business of marketing, capitalization, management, customer service, etc.

The book presents a brief biography of Ayn Rand covering her years in Russia, her coming to America, her struggles, her triumphs, the Objectivist "movement," that started with NBI (Nathaniel Branden Institute), the 1968 "break" between Branden and Rand and the ensuing excommunications, schisms and rifts that led to the sad decline in the "movement" and the quantity of her writings. 

But, more importantly, the focus of the book is on the application of Objectivist principles to business life. (And to personal life, which comes before but also runs parallel with business life.) The authors take the Objectivist values and virtues, explain them so very clearly and illustrate them with concrete examples how they apply in the business world. They use characters from Ayn Rand's novels as models, but they also use real-life business people who practice these virtues and values.

Their presentation of Objectivist principles is clear and concise. This is not a treatise, but outside of thebusiness focus, the book could be considered an excellent introduction to Objectivism. They deal with all of the heavy philosophical subjects and issues in what we used to refer to as "layman's terms."
 
You don't have to be a philosopher to understand Ayn Rand. Her writing is crystal clear. Nonetheless, jumping into metaphysics and epistemology cold turkey may not be the best way to get an introduction to Objectivism or any other philosophy. When, as a kid, I startedto read about relativity and physics, many books that put those ideas in "layman's terms" were invaluable. "Ayn Rand and Business" does this superbly. 

Fans of Ayn Rand and long time readers will find nothing new, philosophically, in the book though they should be impressed by its clarity and thoroughness in explaining Objectivism. I would particularly recommend it to people who show an interest in ideas and who might be prime candidates to become Objectivists. And because it is focused on Objectivism in business, I would highly recommend it for such prime candidates in the business world. 

It's not clear where the authors discovered Ayn Rand. The biographical information is silent on this subject. But it is obvious from the sources they cite and the bibliography that they know their subject. They quote from virtually every book, article and newsletter Ayn Rand ever wrote. They appear to have read every book by or about her and Objectivism.

The only flaws I see in the book are in editing. In several instances, needed words are missing or the wrong words are used. Additionally, there are a couple of instances where the wording of a sentence initially gives the opposite impression than that intended. And it is incorrectly stated that "The Objectivist" preceded "The Objectivist Newsletter." But the errors, except for the last one, are obvious to any reader and do nothing to detract from the content.

Overall, the book gets my highest rating. For a book written so clearly and favorably about Objectivism, by two people apparently unknown in the Ayn Rand "movement," to suddenly appear on the scene is remarkable. It's something to be celebrated and is an indication that, more than anything else I've seen, Objectivism is breaking through to and is reaching the common man who Ayn Rand correctly remarked is not so "common." ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Social Theory and Practice, published by Social Theory and Practice-Florida State University on July 1, 2009. The length of the article is 10916 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Role-based interpretations of moral judgments: an objectivist account.(Essay)
Author: Jon Tresan
Publication: Social Theory and Practice (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2009
Publisher: Social Theory and Practice-Florida State University
Volume: 35Issue: 3Page: 369(23)

Article Type: Essay

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Product Description
It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see. It is base and evil. It is as if we were speaking alone to no ears but our own. And we know well that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone. We have broken the laws. The laws say that men may not write unless the Council of Vocations bid them so. May we be forgiven!

But this is not the only sin upon us. We have committed a greater crime, and for this crime there is no name. What punishment awaits us if it be discovered we know not, for no such crime has come in the memory of men and there are no laws to provide for it.

It is dark here. The flame of the candle stands still in the air. Nothing moves in this tunnel save our hand on the paper. We are alone here under the earth. It is a fearful word, alone. The laws say that none among men may be alone, ever and at any time, for this is the great transgression and the root of all evil. But we have broken many laws. And now there is nothing here save our one body, and it is strange to see only two legs stretched on the ground, and on the wall before us the shadow of our one head.... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (589)

unexpected
The book was a real surprise and I would highly recommend it be read by all.

Awakening
Excellent story for the young mind. Tells of the ravages a wrongful government can do to an inquisitive mind yearning to explore realms of the imagination. Everyone between the age of twelve and twenty one should read this book by a genius of political science. Of course it's not to late for those of maturity.

Self-important Dreck...
And I mean it. Pretentious, pointless and inferior allegory of a dystopic future where names and the word "I" no longer exist. Rand called this "a poem", which I find strange because it neither rhymes nor scans like poetry. Which is alright with me- but Rand was always so black and white in her definitions.
Silly dialogue and a ridiculously over-the-top romance punctuate this (very) slim volume which, thankfully, contains no weirdly violent love scenes or long-winded philosophical speeches or lectures. The scene where the narrator, 'Prometheus', invents a lightbulb is almost as bad as the one after he discovers the words "I" and "ego". And, of course, the good guy wins, yadda yadda yadda, end of story.
Or is it? The end leaves room for a follow-up. I wonder if a sequel will be 'discovered' in the bowels of Leonard Piekoff's chamber of literary horrors (aka, the ARI).
Honestly, skip it. Read 'Brave New World', '1984' or 'It Can't Happen Here'. Leave 'Anthem on the shelf, along with '2112'.

Excellent!
This book accomplishes so much in such a short space. It is a great picture of individualism and the capability of man. Definitely worth the read.

The worst experience ever
I ordered the book "Anthem" from Amazon.It was shipped by Cherrybooks in the most horrible condition ever.Someone had used a magic marker to scratch out several paragaphs on every page of the second half of the book.After several e-mails to Cherrybooks and no response, I then e-mailed Amazon to advise of the incident and never got a response either. ... Read more

Product Description
The year 2005 marks Ayn Rand’s Centennial Year.

The astounding story of a man that said that he would stop the motor of the world—and did. Tremendous in scope, breathtaking in its suspense, Atlas Shrugged is unlike any other book you have ever read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2159)

Great Book
I'm still reading this book but I love it so far. There are so many consistencies and symbolic references to today's government. It really makes you look at it from a new angle. I highly recommend this. It will take a while to read, but it is worth it.

What a Book!
A must for every American!Even though this book was written in the 50's, it is as appropriate today as it was back then.Before you ask for more government, look at what individuals can do to improve the world given freedom from an oppressive government.

Wow!

Responsible Book Seller
I ordered a particular edition of Atlas Shrugged and was sent a smaller version in a smaller font.I contacted the dealer and was refunded immediately and was given a gracious apology.I would consider ordering from this dealer again because of the excellent customer service.

One of the best books of all time
This is an amazing book. I read a lot of books, and this is without a doubt my favorite book of all time.

Great sale!
This was a great sale - good price, book came quickly and in perfect condition. ... Read more

Product Description
The welfare state rests on the assumption that people have rights to food, shelter, health care, retirement income, and other goods provided by the government.David Kelley examines the historical origins of that assumption, and the rationale used to support it today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Intellectual Thrill Ride
If you accept altruism in any of its forms, then you will probably have a difficult time with this book.

Your difficulty will be through no fault of the author but more the demands placed on the reader to follow, consider and finally to challenge deeply held premises presented in an objective and painstakingly researched style.

If you do not accept altruism, the above also applies except that you will have a much easier time of it.

Rational morality is designed to work because it derives from the nature of man as an autonomous, independent and rational being.It is true, it is elegant and it works.Turn it upside-down and you get a very different result.The book is thoroughly documented with examples of this upside-down, coercive "morality" taken both historically and from modern life.Kelly also does a superb job of showing how and why it was so seductive to go from voluntary aid to coerced "benevolence" and the steps it took both intellectually and politically.

Though the book is dealing with a complex subject, you may be certain that if this subject interests you in the least the result is an intellectual thrill ride.

Of all the non-fiction books I have ever read, this one is in my Top Ten.And it is hard to know me without being asked to read it.

Man Versus the Welfare State
David Kelley is an Objectivist philosopher who, although in general agreement with the thought of Ayn Rand, is not aligned with Official Objectivism.(You can read more about his split with Official Objectivism in his book TRUTH AND TOLERATION.)

A LIFE OF ONE'S OWN is a compact, well-argued book that takes on the welfare state.In addition to a discussion of the morality of the welfare state, Kelley provides an excellent background of how it began, the extensive system of private charity that was in place before it, and a critique of the arguments used to justify welfare "rights."

Kelley is persuasive in his critique of the augments in favor of welfare rights, but skates over some of the broader cultural issues.The acceptance of the welfare state is at least partly due to the individualism fostered by Randians and their ilk.As the family declines and people become more rootless (which happens when individualism increases), the need for welfare increases instead of decreases.This was argued by Nisbett years ago in THE QUEST FOR COMMUNITY.While one can certainly make a case against excessive altruism, Kelley largely ignores the central question of what individuals owe each other.It simply doesn't do, as Rand once suggested, that the response to those who ask about the needs of the deserving poor: "If you want to help them, nothing is stopping you."To say that it is morally praiseworthy (and perhaps even a moral obligation) for wealthier people to help the deserving poor does not itself justify sacrificing humanity on the altar of Big Government.

This book is certainly a cut above the normal Objectivist discussion.Rand is only mentioned twice, and we are spared the usual snide Objectivist attacks on religion.(The parable of the Good Samaritan is even held up as an example of non-coercive charity).

Exposing the welfare state for the sham it is
The goal of 'A Life of One's Own' by David Kelley is to argue against the premises responsible for the formation and the persistence of the welfare state. He provides a well-reasoned case for the claim that the welfare state is both without a moral foundation and without a practical justification in the actual results it achieves. At the end of Kelley's analysis the welfare state is seen to be a sham that violates the rights of producers for the sake of non-producers.

In order to justify the transfer of wealth from producers to welfare recipients the welfare state must appeal to the notion that a need somehow translates into a right. A need to eat, have medical care, or have a job is viewed as somehow being a claim upon those who produce these things. The concept of 'welfare rights' rests upon the notion that one's life is not completely one's own; there is held to be some sense in which one's life, one's productive effort, is the property of the society of which one is part, and the welfare state can distribute this property to recipients as it sees fit. This contradicts the traditional rights of life, liberty and property, although welfare 'rights' disguise themselves as being rights within the tradition of classic liberty rights. Such 'positive rights' violate the basis of rights themselves: to be free to act, and to keep and use the product of one's productive effort as one sees fit.

From the beginning (from the time that capitalism created enough wealth for poverty to be identified as a problem) private charities have shown themselves to be superior to state-funded ones, and they are in fact the only moral charities. The welfare state attempts to institutionalize the process of giving to the needy, but it is a contradiction to believe that one can be forced into giving out of charity. Kelley provides a convincing case for the idea that private charities, and privately run insurance, are actually the most effective way of dealing with the needy. The concept of state-run economics has been taken to the graveyard of economic theory, and it is only a matter of time before welfare programs meet the same fate, either through their privatization or their inevitable collapse.

David Kelley's cogent arguments make this book required reading for those on both sides of this issue. Anyone who wishes to discuss the welfare state intelligibly has much to gain from this book.

Excellent Introduction On The Philosophy Of Welfare Rights
In "A Life Of One's Own," philosophy professor David Kelley critiques the notion of a right to welfare on moral grounds. He explains how the concept of rights was altered over time to suit the interests of those who favored a centrally planned economy. His argument addresses the definition of rights and how efforts to shift their focus from preserving individual freedom and responsibility to forcing individuals to provide for others had an adverse impact on people's willingness to support voluntary philanthropy.

Kelley's thesis is that, when the concept of rights is extended to the provision of social welfare, the inevitable result is empowering those who demand benefits from the state over those who provide goods and services in an economy. Over the decades since the New Deal was enacted, a spirit of entitlement arose from the legal framework of the Great Society and permeates much of our contemporary discourse on politics. It flies in the face of the Founders' legal conception of the state - which is based on the protection of rights to life, liberty, and property.

The author argues that the transformation of the concept of rights did not occur spontaneously. Instead, it was marketed by a group of historians, intellectuals, and political activists who understood that it is impossible to alter political or legal institutions without changing people's beliefs about morality. Because they understood this, they were able to wage a successful war against the traditional concept of rights.

During the Great Depression, the leaders of the progressive movement were able to sell the public on their ideas by comparing industrial entrepreneurs to the political tyrants who led the... brigade. They claimed the financial power wielded by businessmen was indistinguishable from political power backed by force. Thus, it was up to the state to counteract the "coercive" power of the industrialists. This led to unprecedented growth in the state's ability to control individuals' economic freedoms through the use of taxes and regulations.

In such a system, it is left up to government officials to decide which rights to protect and how to protect them. When individuals are only given rights to whichever goods and services the state chooses to allocate them, the fundamental concept of what rights consist of is completely transformed. The Founders' conception - that rights exist to protect individuals from coercion by their peers - is changed into a notion of privilege. There is a fundamental difference between the two. As Kelley observes: "A right is not a privilege that depends on the will of others but a claim that they are obliged to respect."

According to Kelley, the function of rights is to enable people to conduct their own lives without becoming dependent upon one another. Although people may have different goals, the rules that underlie their system of rights must be assembled to enable all of them to accomplish their goals without resorting to conflict. This is why economies that exist in societies based on contractual relationships work so much better than those governed by political fiat.

Basing our notion of rights on a desire to utilize the state to eradicate poverty is not a demand for freedom itself, but for freedom from the reality that economic consumption requires production. Thus, coercion is the inevitable result of welfare rights - regardless of what proponents of those rights believe about owners of firms under capitalism. In the long run, coercion cannot create or sustain the production of goods and services or the formation of meaningful relationships among human beings.

Although the book is short, Kelley accomplishes his goal of making a moral case against coercive redistribution of wealth. As many of the perverse incentives inherent in the modern welfare state become more visible, his arguments should be increasingly taken to heart. It is only a matter of time before people realize that only voluntary initiative can solve the poverty problem. Coercion only adds to it.

Persuasive and Insightful
This book stands with Charles Murray's classic LOSING GROUND as offering the best analysis of the American welfare state.The data Kelley uses to help make his case against government-directed welfare assistance are relevant, clear, and convincing.And his argument is tight, compelling, and beautifully written.

Kelley is surely correct when he says that "The concept of welfare rights does not represent a historic advance in moral development, as its advocates often assert.It represents a reversion to a primitive moral code."For a solid explanation of the truth of this insight, and for other key insights into the nature of the welfare state, read this marvelous book. ... Read more