Books

SIGNED and Numbered by Ayn Rand, presented is copy #1920, one of 2000 Tenth Anniversary Signed Limited Edition copies. Atlas Shrugged, Rand's magnum opus, her celebration of the value of individual life and productive achievement, is the one novel which, she once announced with unblinking immodesty, is "completely my sense of life, without reservations." (Robert Mayhew, Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged). "Man's life is not the life of a mindless brute, of a looting thug or a mooching mystic--not life by means of force or fraud, but life by means of achievement" (Atlas Shrugged). Octavo, original blue cloth, original slipcase. Bound in blue cloth boards with gilt lettering, measuring 6" x 8.75". Very good copy, hinges a tad tender but holding, in the original slipcase with evidence of wear, toning and handling. Some Rand collectors acquire only her two Signed Limited Editions because of their self-guaranteed authenticity. (Rand's other Signed Limited Edition title is Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, also available.) Book #vP1136. $3295. From the world's largest collection of Rare, Signed, and Manuscript, and Photographed Ayn Rand in private hands.

"Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand is a monumental novel that presents a dystopian vision of the United States. Set in a society where government regulations stifle individual initiative and innovation, the story follows the lives of various characters as they navigate a world descending into economic collapse and social decay. The novel primarily revolves around Dagny Taggart, an innovative railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a talented steel magnate. As they strive to maintain their businesses amidst increasing government interference and societal decline, they encounter various obstacles that hinder their efforts to pursue their visions. A mysterious figure known as John Galt becomes a central enigma in the narrative. Galt is the symbol of a growing resistance movement among the country's most productive and talented individuals, who begin to disappear without a trace. They withdraw from a society that does not appreciate their efforts and stifles their freedom, believing in the philosophy of "going on strike" against a system that suppresses individualism and rewards mediocrity. As the nation faces an economic crisis and societal breakdown, Dagny and Hank discover a hidden valley where the vanished innovators have created their own utopian society based on individualism, free will, and personal achievement. John Galt reveals his philosophy, advocating for the idea that "the mind on strike" is the source of human progress and that individuals should not sacrifice their talents and ambitions for the sake of others. Throughout the novel, Ayn Rand presents her philosophy of Objectivism, emphasizing reason, individualism, and rational self-interest. The narrative delves into complex themes of morality, capitalism, the role of government, and the pursuit of personal happiness. "Atlas Shrugged" is a philosophical epic that critiques collectivism and advocates for the rights of the individual. It portrays the consequences of suppressing individual freedom and ambition while celebrating the importance of human innovation, creativity, and the pursuit of one's own happiness.