Books

New York: Random House, 1959. First Random House edition. Octavo. Original blue cloth decorated in black with gilt lettering and dust jacket (not price-clipped). Creasing to board edges with some rubbing to cloth; minor edgewear and scuffing to dust jacket. Near-fine.. Bright first Random House edition of Ayn Rand's (1905-1982) debut novel about life in post-revolutionary Russia. First published by Random House in 1959 following the commercial success of Rand's 1957 best-seller Atlas Shrugged, We the Living tells the story of Kira Argounova, a fierce and independent spirit who struggles against the collectivism of Soviet Russia during the early 1920s. The novel was first completed in 1934 but, despite H. L. Mencken's support, failed to attract a publisher until 1935 when Macmillan agreed to publish the work. Macmillan's agreement to publish Rand's novel purportedly sparked debate within the publisher's editorial ranks, with certain communist-sympathetic editors objecting to its…

We the Living is the first novel published by the American author Ayn Rand. Originally completed in 1930, it was first published in 1936 by Macmillan Publishers. The novel is a depiction of life in post-revolutionary Russia and Rand’s criticism of the Soviet system. It follows the story of Kira Argounova, a young woman who struggles for her individuality in a collectivized society.

Early printings can be identified by the absence of additional printings listed, and they may contain a statement of 'First edition'.