50th Anniversary Of “Atlas Shrugged”; Thank You Ayn Rand

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50 years ago today one of the truly great books of the 20th century was published: Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged

The hostility evoked by any mention of Rand’s name is of course a given. 

But at root Rand’s ideas celebrated the human potential for achievement and success.  She encouraged people to think and not feel guilt in prudently pursuing their own self interest.

It’s a message that has and always will speak to young people looking for something substantial to hold onto.

Despite her flaws, Ayn Rand was a giant with a well deserved world wide influence none of her inconsequential critics will ever match.

Recommended Reading:

“Capitalist Heroes” by David Kelley (subscription required), The Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2007

“‘Atlas’, at last, on map”, by Robert Stacy McCain, The Washington Times, October 5, 2007

If anybody wants to read The Wall Street Journal article e-mail me and I’ll send you a link.

UPDATE (Mon 10/15, 11:15am PST): The Wall Street Journal ran a second article on Ayn Rand on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the publication of her masterpiece Atlas Shrugged on Saturday: “Rand And The Right” (subcription required) by Brian Doherty.

Also, the planned Atlas Shrugged movie seems to be making progress.  Director Vadim Perelman is supposed to finish his adaptation of the script this month and the film, with Angelina Jolie starring as Dagny Taggart, is scheduled to start shooting early next year.

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