"Who is John Galt?" Now Available

A Billthedrill/Publius Essay | 12 November 2013 | Billthedrill & Publius

[Publius]

Who is John Galt?: A Navigational Guide to Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged is now available at Amazon. Click here for a link to the book. This book is the result of our first FReeper Book Club.

In recent press articles and among the general public, there is a sense that Ayn Rand’s monumental Atlas Shrugged is a prophetic work, accurately predicting the Great Recession and the path on which America’s economy and society are set. But Atlas Shrugged is a difficult book to read. Many are daunted by its extreme length, Rand’s prose style, interminable speeches where the action stops cold, the author’s atheism, and the sexuality of its characters. Rand references economists and philosophers such as Smith, Mill, Marx, Nietzsche and Aristotle without attribution. As a result, much of Rand’s message goes over the head of the average reader.

This makes it difficult for the reader to understand the main point of Rand’s book: precisely what is it that happens when Atlas shrugs, and how does a society change over the course of that event? Is it merely fiction, or is Atlas shrugging now?

The purpose of this book is to simplify the reader’s task in understanding what Rand is saying and the philosophical and economic sources she mined. With increased interest in Rand’s book on the part of book clubs, reading circles, and now a three-part movie, this book will aid casual and serious readers, book clubs, high school and college classes, moviegoers, and home-schoolers to master Rand’s work.

There are 30 chapters, each one matched to the 30 chapters Rand utilized for Atlas Shrugged. Each chapter starts with a synopsis and detailed discussion of Rand’s source material and the points she wishes to make. There may be one or more essays explaining arcane points of railroading, American society of the Fifties, or historical characters thinly disguised by Rand for the book. Rather than didactically draw open parallels to current events, each chapter closes with discussion topics posed to the reader, class or book club to encourage independent thought.

This book will be an outstanding aid to comprehending one of the most discussed books of this era.

[Publius]

This is the one shameless vanity permitted by JimRob for us to let people know that our book is available. It’s a good companion to Rand’s book, and it would make a fine Christmas gift to people who are daunted by the challenge of reading Atlas Shrugged unaided. FReepers were the first to know about it!

[Publius]

A ping to the members of our first FReeper Book Club.

[Publius]

A ping to the members of our second FReeper Book Club.

[headsonpikes]

Congratulatory bump!

[Loud Mime]

I’ve got a copy right next to me. Was I your first Amazon purchase?

[saganite]

Did you clear that with whoever is running Ayn Rand’s estate? They are famously proactive about defending her legacy and her philosophy.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

BUMP!

[Publius]

There’s no need to clear literary criticism with the estate. If anything, we’re doing them a big favor. The Ayn Rand Institute is getting its free copy.

[elkfersupper]

I am John Galt.

Went there 3 years ago.

Can't live in Galt's Gulch indefinitely, but I can outlast the current politicians, considering that the vast majority of them will be retired involuntarily in 2014 and 2016.

[KarlInOhio]

Why don't you post the whole thing here instead of being a blog book pimp? < /sarc>

More seriously, I've looked at the preview and already picked up things I missed in multiple readings of Atlas Shrugged. It's on my wish list for my next purchase.

[Publius]

I don’t know. I’m sure the NSA does, though.

[DollyCali]

thanks so much for the ping & good grief I am so glad you are letting us know.

It bugs me that some object to others promoting their stuff!

Ironically I am reading part 3 in eager rediness for movie release in July 14.. yes a long way off...

Might reread the whole book again before its release. I have gotten through the book 3 times.. but each time quickly scan Galt’s LONG monologues..I(am I the only one?)

will go to Amazon & get it, if not now, first of Dec//. I am really $$ depressed but do a few wild things with the couple nickels I find to rub together..

will this be a permanent ping list? I have a small readers/writers group on FB. Not terribly active and the few authors on it (LS among others you might know) dont really participate. Cant say it is a tear you apart with activity group~

:-)

thanks again

[Billthedrill]

A mid-day bumperoo. The book is HERE.

We're doing a Kindle edition as well - got a couple of wrinkles to work out but it's coming.

[Publius]

In 2009 we spent 30 weeks here at FR doing Atlas Shrugged for our first book club. We did in fact post the whole thing here. I think you'll enjoy the book.

[Dan(9698)]

I went Galt over ten years ago.

I work by myself.

[DollyCali]

ordered it.

reasonable & with prime no shipping

thanks again

[Publius]

The ping lists left over from our two FReeper Book Clubs still exist: one for Atlas Shrugged, and one for the Federalist and anti-Federalist papers.

The best way to read our book is to use it as a companion to Rand's book. Read them together.

[shove_it]

How do we get autographed copies?

[Publius]

Hmmmm. That’s a good one. Billthedrill and I might have to do a national book tour like Sarah Palin.

[shove_it]

Tagging along with the Hockey Mom’s tour would be real good duty.