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VERY RARE - SCARCE EDITION, RARE FIRST EDITION-FIRST STATE, With FIRST ISSUE DUST JACKET, ATLAS SHRUGGED by AYN RAND, NEW YORK: Random House. 1957. [published date: 1957]. Rare First Edition, first printing. Thick 8vo. 8.75" x 6.0" inches. (LxB). Pp. viii, 1168 pages. Top edges tinted blue. Original publisher's green cloth with gilt lettering on the front cover & spine still bright. RARE FIRST EDITION-FIRST STATE IN THE FIRST ISSUE DUST JACKET. DJ priced $6.95 & dated 10/57 on the front flap. DJ safe in an archival acetate protector. A classic work. A rare book in the original publisher's green cloth binding, in a very good to a near fine condition, very minor wear to spine ends & corners, pages are unusually clean & bright. Minor edgeware to DJ, small-tiny bleed from DJ to front cover at the bottom corner, hardly visible. Atlas Shrugged From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Atlas Shrugged is a novel by Ayn Rand, first published in 1957 in the United States. It was Rand's fourth, longest, and last novel, and she considered it her magnum opus in the realm of fiction writing.[1] As indicated by its working title The Strike, the book explores a dystopian United States where leading industrialists and businessmen refuse to allow the government to exploit their labor for the "general good." The protagonist, Dagny Taggart, sees society collapse around her as the government increasingly asserts control over all industry, while society's most productive citizens, led by the mysterious John Galt, progressively disappear. Galt describes the strike as "stopping the motor of the world" by withdrawing the "minds" that drive society's growth and productivity; with their strike these creative minds hope to demonstrate that the economy and society would collapse without the profit motive and the efforts of the rational and productive. The novel's title is a reference to the mythical Titan Atlas, who in the novel is said to hold the weight of the world on his shoulders.[2] The novel includes elements of mystery and science fiction,[3] and contains Rand's most extensive statement of Objectivism in any of her works of fiction, a lengthy monologue delivered by the strike's leader, John Galt.[4] The theme of Atlas Shrugged is the morality of rational self-interest. It advocates the core tenets of Rand's philosophy of Objectivism and expresses her concept of human achievement. The book explores a number of philosophical themes that Rand would subsequently develop into the philosophy of Objectivism.[5][6] It centers on the decline of Western civilization, and Rand described it as demonstrating the theme of "the role of man's mind in existence." In doing so it expresses many facets of Rand's philosophy, such as the advocacy of reason, individualism, the market economy and the failure of government. Atlas Shrugged received largely negative reviews after its 1957 publication,[7] but achieved enduring popularity and consistent sales in the following decades. In the wake of the late 2000s recession sales of Atlas Shrugged have sharply increased, according to The Economist magazine and The New York Times.

"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.