From Wiki­Collectables, Buy • Sell • Collect • Wiki

View the top articles!

Atlas Shrugged is a novel by Ayn Rand, first published in 1957 in the United States. It was Rand's last work of fiction before concentrating her writings exclusively on philosophy, politics and cultural criticism. At over one thousand pages in length, she considered it her magnum opus.^[1] Also, at approximately 645,000 words, Atlas Shrugged is one of the longest novels ever written in any European language. The book explores a number of philosophical themes that Rand would subsequently develop into the philosophy of Objectivism. A poll revealed that Atlas Shrugged was voted the most influential book in readers' lives after the Bible.^[2][3]

Contents 1 Specifications 2 Background 3 Relevant Influences 4 Film adaptation 5 See also 6 Footnotes 7 Further reading 7.1 Publications 8 External links 8.1 Reviews

[edit] Specifications

• Author = Ayn Rand
• Cover illustrator = Nick Gaetano
• Series =
• Genre = Philosophical novel
• Publisher = Random House
• Country = United States
• Publication Date = 10 October 1957
• Nature of Rarity =
• Number in Existence =
• Estimated Value =

[edit] Background

The theme of Atlas Shrugged is the role of the mind in man's existence and, consequently, presentation of the morality of rational self-interest.^[4]

The main conflicts of the book surround the decision of the "individuals of the mind" to go on strike, refusing to contribute their inventions, art, business leadership, scientific research, or new ideas of any kind to the rest of the world. Society, they believe, hampers them by interfering with their work and underpays them by confiscating the profits and dignity they have rightfully earned. The peaceful cohesiveness of the world disintegrates, lacking those individuals whose productive work comes from mental effort. The strikers believe that they are crucial to a society that exploits them, denying them freedom or failing to acknowledge their right to self-interest, and the gradual collapse of civilization is triggered by their strike.

The novel's title is an allusion to the Greek Titan Atlas who was described as literally holding the celestial globe on his shoulders (as per Atlas), discussing what might happen if those holding up civilization suddenly decided to stop doing so. In the novel, the mythological analogy comes during a conversation between two protagonists, Francisco d'Anconia and Hank Rearden, near the end of part two, chapter three, where Francisco (convincing Rearden that he is under-appreciated) tells Rearden that if he could suggest to Atlas that he do one thing, it would be to shrug.

In the world of Atlas Shrugged, society stagnates when independent productive achievers began to be socially demonized and even punished for their accomplishments, even though society had been far more healthy and prosperous by allowing, encouraging and rewarding self-reliance and individual achievement. Independence and personal happiness flourished to the extent that people were free, and achievement was rewarded to the extent that individual ownership of private property was strictly respected. The hero, John Galt, lives a life of laissez-faire capitalism as the only way to live consistent with his beliefs.

In addition to the plot's more obvious statements about the significance of industrialists and mental work to society, this explicit conflict is used by Rand to draw wider philosophical conclusions, both implicit in the plot and via the character's own statements. Positions are expressed on a variety of topics, including sex, politics, friendship, charity, childhood, and many others. Part of this is the theme that its broad array of ideas are in fact interrelated by their basic philosophy, and the significance of ideas to society and to one's life.

Atlas Shrugged portrays fascism, socialism and communism – any form of state intervention in society – as systemically and fatally flawed. However, Rand claimed that it is not a fundamentally political book, but that the politics portrayed in the novel are a result of her attempt to display her image of the ideal person and the individual mind's position and value in society.^[5]

Rand argues that independence and individual achievement enable society to survive and thrive, and should be embraced. But this requires a "rational" moral code. She argues that, over time, coerced self-sacrifice causes any society to self-destruct.

She is similarly dismissive of faith beyond empirical reason, in a god or higher being, or anything else as an authority over one's own mind. The book positions itself against religion specifically, often directly within the characters' dialogue.

[edit] Relevant Influences

Ayn Rand is believed to have consciously, or subconsciously based at least some of this work upon The Driver, written by Garet Garrett in 1922. The Driver tells the story of an entrepreneur who, through is own vision and work ethic, takes over a failing railway, turning into a hugely productive and profitable asset for the benefit of himself and the rest of the nation. Unable to see what he has achieved in turning his own business and the wider economy around from recession to boom, and blinded by the intense wealth and power he leads as a result, the general population and government turn against him, ultimately destroying him instead of celebrating his success. In "The Driver", the central character is Henry Galt, whereas in Atlas Shrugged the main character is John Galt. In "The Driver", at one point, the question is asked "Who is Henry Galt?". In Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand made this a major part of her book, as many central and peripheral characters repeatedly ask the question "Who is John Galt?", as the economy of the nation, and world, declines and people become poorer. It was republished by a small Danish publishing company, Ad Publishing in 2008.

[edit] Film adaptation

Film rights to the novel Atlas Shrugged were purchased by the Baldwin Entertainment Group in 2003. Lions Gate Entertainment has picked up worldwide distribution rights and screenwriter Randall Wallace has created a 127-page screenplay from the novel.^[6] Angelina Jolie has been confirmed to play the role of Dagny Taggart^[7] and Brad Pitt is rumored to be cast as John Galt.^[8] Both are fans of Rand's works.^[9]According to IMDb, as of September 5 2007, the Atlas Shrugged project is "Back in development." ^[10] Lionsgate hired director Vadim Perelman to direct the film. IMDB now claims that Perelman has left this project. [1]

[edit] See also

• Austrian School
• Laissez-faire capitalism
• Transcontinental railroad

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Further reading

[edit] Publications

• Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand; Signet; (September 1996) ISBN 0-451-19114-5
• Atlas Shrugged (Cliffs Notes), Andrew Bernstein; CliffsNotes; (June 5, 2000) ISBN 0-7645-8556-8
• The World of Atlas Shrugged, Robert Bidinotto/The Objectivist Center; HighBridge Company; ( April 19, 2001) ISBN 1-56511-471-X
• Atlas Shrugged: Manifesto of the Mind (Twayne's Masterwork Studies, No. 174) Mimi Reisel Gladstein; Twayne Pub; (June 2000) ISBN 0-8057-1638-6
• The Moral Revolution in Atlas Shrugged, Nathaniel Branden; The Objectivist Center; (July 1999) ISBN 1-57724-033-2
• Odysseus, Jesus, and Dagny, Susan McCloskey; The Objectivist Center; (August 1, 1998) ISBN 1-57724-025-1

[edit] External links

• Website dedicated to Atlas Shrugged
• Website dedicated to Ayn Rand's novels
• Timeline of major events in the novel
• Cast of characters in the novel
• Excerpt from Atlas Shrugged at the ARI

[edit] Reviews

• A negative review from the December 28, 1957 issue of National Review by Whittaker Chambers.