Atlas Shrugged Turns 54!

As the leaves start turning from a forest and woodsy green to the bright colors of pumpkin orange and autumn yellow. Tourists from around the world are gearing up to gaze on New England’s October foliage. But for the literary traveler another event will be unfolding in the next coming weeks. Written by the renowned Objectivist Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged will be turning 54 years old on October 10th, echoing her message of individualism and free will.

Ayn Rand’s first major literary success came about with the novel The Fountainhead. Her manuscript was rejected by twelve publishers before being picked up by Bobbs-Merrill Company in 1943. Her novel, which promoted individualism versus collectivism within the person, gained immense popularity by word of mouth selling over 6.5 million copies worldwide. Twelve years later Ayn Rand would publish her second most successful novel.

Atlas Shrugged which was first published in 1957 is considered her Magnus Opus. The novel advocated “rational selfishness” or the principal that an action is rational if and only if it maximizes ones self-interest. It was hailed and scorned by critics after its debut on the #6 spot of the New York Times bestseller list.

Though largely criticized, Ayn Rand has attracted an energetic and committed fan base. So committed are her followers that they have even created a dating and networking website in her honor www.theatlasphere.com.

Want to know more about Ayn Rand and her philosophical views? For Beginners along with Dr. Andrew Bernstein provide a clear down-to-earth analysis of Ayn Rand and her works.