Atlas Shrugged
Atlas Shrugged, published in 1957, is the fourth and final novel by Ayn Rand, nearly 1,200 pages in length, and by most accounts, her masterpiece. Taking place in a dystopian future, where the United States, under a collectivist social and economic structure, is on the verge of economic collapse. As she also did in The Fountainhead (1943), Rand explores a number of themes related to the importance of personal freedoms, rational egoism, and even the benefits of laissez-faire capitalism, ultimately helping to define and shape Objectivism, the philosophical system that Rand created. In the book's appendix, Rand states: "my philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute." One of the more influential books ever written, especially in its impact on libertarian and conservative thinking in this country. Memorable dust jacket design by George Salter. Adapted into a three-part film series in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Hardcover. First Edition, First Printing. Octavo, cloth. New York: Random House, 1957. #10759.
Sharp copy, just about fine in dust jacket. Slight wear to extremities with some minor nicks and tiny closed tear on front panel. Bright, very attractive copy, difficult to obtain in fine condition.