Synopses & Reviews
Review
Ayn Rand is in the news now more than everbut the media consistently misunderstands her. Read Ayn Rand Explained for a thorough and clear introduction to her ideas!”
JIMMY WALES, founder of Wikipedia
Ayn Rand Explained takes us on an exciting exploration of Rands provocative worldview and expertly traces its huge contemporary impact on politics, economics, art, and culture. Marsha Familaro Enright provides much new information and probing, in-depth analysis. A surprising, intriguing take on a controversial writer.”
CHRIS MATTHEW SCIABARRA, author of Ayn Rand: The Russian Radical
I immensely enjoyed reading Ayn Rand Explained. Packed with fascinating information, much of it new, the book is a real page turnerand a reminder of why Rands novels are continuously making their way onto best-seller lists.”
VERONIQUE DE RUGY, Senior Research Fellow, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University
On the First Edition
Very impressive! Merrill has a detailed understanding of Rands philosophy and familiarity with her novels. . . . I dont agree with everything he says but his discussion is full of insights and penetrating points, and I learned a great deal from reading it.”
DAVID KELLEY, author of A Life of Ones Own and The Contested Legacy of Ayn Rand
A fascinating, thoughtful book. . . . a worthy contribution to the growing body of literature on Ayn Rand and Objectivism. One need not agree with all of his conclusions to congratulate Mr. Merrill on the independence of his thinking.”
BARBARA BRANDEN, author of The Passion of Ayn Rand
Synopsis
Ayn Rand Explained is an engrossing account of the life, work, and influence of Ayn Rand: her career, from youth in Soviet Russia to Hollywood screenwriter and then to ideological guru; her novels and other fiction writings, including the perennial best-sellers,
The Fountainhead and
Atlas Shrugged; her forays into ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics; her influence onand personal animosity towardboth conservatism and libertarianism.
Merrill and Enright describe Rands early infatuation with Nietzsche, her first fiction writings, the developments behind her record-breaking blockbuster novels of 1943 and 1957, her increasing involvement in politics in the 1950s and 1960s, including her support for the presidential candidacy of Barry Goldwater.
Rands Objectivist movement was first promoted through the Nathaniel Branden Institute, headed by her young protégé and anointed heir. The Institute advocated a complete worldview, encompassing Rands views on politics, economics, religion, art, music, epistemology, ethics (The Virtue of Selfishness”), and sexual relationships. For several years the Institute grew rapidly, though there were ominous signs as some leading members were put on trial for their heretical ideas, and ignominiously drummed out of the movement.
In 1969, Branden was expelled by Rand for immorality, the Institute was shut down, and all members who questioned this ruling were themselves excommunicated and shunned by Rand and her disciples. Branden became a best-selling author of psychotherapy books, with a following of Objectivists who had dissociated from the official organization headed by Rand, and after her death in 1982, by Leonard Peikoff. One of Rands inner circle, Alan Greenspan, later went on to get his hands on the steering wheel of the American economy.
Objectivism offers a comprehensive package of beliefs encompassing the ethics of rational egoism, rejection of all religion and outright atheism, the arts as expressions of good or bad metaphysical and ethical values, personal freedom from political interference, laissez-faire capitalism, and limited government. The last few years have witnessed a resurgence of Objectivism, with a jump in sales of Rands novels and the influence of Rands ideas in the Tea Party movement and the Republican primaries. While gaining membership, the Objectivist movement continues to be sharply divided into warring factions, the two major groupings led by the Ayn Rand Institute (Leonard Peikoff) and the Objectivist Center (David Kelley).
Ayn Rand Explained is a completely revised and updated edition of The Ideas of Ayn Rand, by the late Ronald E. Merrill, first published by Open Court in 1991.
Synopsis
Fifty-five years after the release of
Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand is more in the news than ever. Even politicians like Paul Ryan and Barack Obama are talking about Rand.
Ayn Rand Explained: From Tyranny to Tea Party is an accurate and riveting account of Rands life, work, and influence, with the emphasis on her ideas. The book covers Rands career, from youth in Soviet Russia to Hollywood screenwriter and then to ideological guru; her novels and other fiction writings, including the perennial best-sellers, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged; her work in ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics; her influence on--and personal animosity toward--both conservatism and libertarianism.
Rands Objectivist movement was first promoted through the Nathaniel Branden Institute, headed by her young protégé and designated heir. The Institute advocated a complete worldview on politics, economics, religion, art, music, epistemology, ethics (The Virtue of Selfishness”), and sexual relationships. For several years the Institute grew rapidly, though there were ominous signs as some leading members were put on trial for their heretical ideas, and ignominiously drummed out of the movement.
In 1968, Branden himself was suddenly expelled by Rand, the Institute was shut down, and all members who questioned these actions were themselves excommunicated and shunned by Rand
Synopsis
Fifty-five years after
Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand is more in the news than ever.
Ayn Rand Explained is an accurate and riveting account of Rands life, work, and influence, with the emphasis on her ideas.
The book covers Rands career, from youth in Soviet Russia to Hollywood screenwriter and then to ideological guru; her novels and other fiction writings; her work in ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics; her influence onand personal animosity towardboth conservatism and libertarianism.
Rands Objectivism encompasses the ethics of rational egoism (The Virtue of Selfishness); dedication to rational thinking and acting; rejection of faith in the supernatural, personal freedom from political interference, and a moral defense of limited government and laissez-faire.
Objectivism was first promoted through the Nathaniel Branden Institute, headed by Rands young protégé and designated heir. The Institutes phenomenally rapid growth was abruptly cut short when Rand expelled Branden and his followers in 1968. Today Objectivism is represented by different factions, notably the Ayn Rand Institute and the Atlas Society.
This is a revised, updated edition of The Ideas of Ayn Rand (1991), including new information on Rands rocketing influence, new stories about her personal relationships, and new analysis of her life and ideas.