Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul

by Gary Weiss

Thirty years after her death in March 1982, Ayn Rand’s ideas have never been more important. Unfettered capitalism, unregulated business, bare-bones government providing no social services, glorification of selfishness, disdain for Judeo-Christian morality—these are the tenets of Rand’s harsh philosophy.

In Ayn Rand Nation, Gary Weiss explores the people and institutions that remain under the spell of the Russian-born novelist. He provides new insights into Rand’s inner circle in the last years of her life, with revelations of never-before-publicized predictions by Rand that still resonate today. Weiss charts Rand’s infiltration of the Tea Party and Libertarian movements, and provides an inside look at the radical belief system that has exerted a powerful influence on the Republican Party and its presidential candidates. It’s a fascinating cast of characters that ranges from Glenn Beck to Oliver Stone, and includes Rand’s most influential disciple, Alan Greenspan. Weiss describes in penetrating detail how Greenspan became a stalking horse for Rand—slashing and burning regulations with ideological zeal, and then seeking to conceal her influence on his life and thinking. Lastly, Weiss provides a strategy for a renewed national dialogue, an embrace of the nation’s core values that is needed to deal with Rand’s pervasive grip on society.

From The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged to Rand’s lesser-known and misunderstood nonfiction books, Gary Weiss examines the impact of Rand's thinking across our society.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Philosophy, Cultural, Economics, Political Science

304 pages, Hardcover

First published February 28, 2012

About the author

I'm a journalist and author. My next book is RETAIL GANGSTER: The Insane, Real-Life Story of Crazy Eddie, which will be published by Hachette Books on August 23, 2022.

My previous books were AYN RAND NATION: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul (St. Martin's Press: Feb. 28, 2012), Wall Street Versus America (Portfolio: 2006) and Born to Steal (Warner Books: 2003).

I was an investigative reporter at BusinessWeek for many years, and was a contributing editor at Condé Nast Portfolio and a columnist at Portfolio.com; I've written for the Daily Beast, Parade magazine, The New York Times, the Big Money, the Globe and Mail and other publications. I also was an adjunct professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

You can follow me on Twitter: @gary_weiss.

Reviews

[Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I despise Ayn Rand, and it's a very difficult thing to find works that critique her, without being bashed by Randroids who are so commonplace online. There is no really great critique believe it or not of the woman who idolized serial killers, sociopaths, and social Darwinism. I was hoping that Ayn Rand Nation would be that real scathing judgmental book that is needed to combat the tripe that Beck, the Tea-Baggers, and Limbaugh crowd are spewing. Alas, this is not quite the book. Gary Weiss does an excellent job reporting many of the inconsistencies amongst those who like Rand, and those who Like Rand-those who generally like her novels, and pick up some of her arguments versus the hardcore Objectivists who publicly repudiate democracy. He also does an excellent job in making the argument that this is a group and a belief system that needs to be answered, and cannot any longer be dismissed.
My negative feelings of the work is more that my own desires were not met rather than any problem by Weiss. In the preface he explicitly states that this is not going to be a Rand-bashing book, as the people that he talked with and met are largely not crazy people-indeed he finds them somewhat admirable and largely normal in all respects. Their problem he contends is that they are a group of people not fair removed from many on the mainstream left and right, as well as the radical left who are dissatisfied with the state of the country and for one reason or another: timing, inner struggles, or innate beliefs they turned to Rand. It is really quite a balanced look on Rand's philosophy, and interestingly enough a largely positive review of her fictional works. I personally believe that the book didn't go far enough, or make a very knock-out argument against Objectivism, which is what I would have preferred mind you, but what Weiss promises he delivers, and you cannot fault him on that.

[Susan Paxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vital reading for any thoughtful person who wonders what on earth has been going wrong in America for the last 30 or so years. Lurking behind the wreckers is the pernicious "philosophy" of the vile Soviet exile Ayn Rand. Preaching a doctrine of pure selfishness, this atheist's writings have managed to convert altogether too many Republicans who believe they are Christians to agree that the rich "Job Creators" are over taxed and over regulated, and that everyone else is a parasite. Conservative writer Whittaker Chambers, when he reviewed her novel "Atlas Shrugged" for the National Review, referred to its theme as "You, to the gas chamber go" and that's about as correct as you can get. The people behind Mitt Romney, George Bush, and the other Republican puppets believe this crap, and to protect yourself, you need to read this.

[Dayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Book takes a reality-based look at the possible consequences of her ideas.

[Jay Lamm · Rating 1 out of 5]

I initially bought this thinking that it was going to chronicle how Ayn Rand's philosophy has shaped the current political culture. Not so. This book is written by a guy that has read the Ayn Rand novels, didn't quite get the point of them, then interviewed a bunch of people that like Ayn Rand. That's the crux of it.
This guy grossly misinterprets the the very language that Ayn Rand uses.
Any Objectivist can tell you that Ayn Rand draws a distinct line between "altruism" and "benevolence." She differentiates the two by saying that altruism deals with doing a good deed while harming yourself, i.e. sacrificing a higher value for a lower value.
The author doesn't address or acknowledge Ayn Rand's value system; doesn't acknowledge that "sacrifice" means giving up a higher value for a lower value. That "sacrifice" is not giving up a lower value for a higher value.
If you have to wake up early to bring your kid to swim class--that's not sacrifice. You should obviously value your child's joy over your sleep so giving up sleep for your child's joy is not a sacrifice.
On page 202 he completely butchers Ayn Rand's take on sacrifice and gets it completely wrong.
The author continually opines that Rand is disconnected from reality and doesn't have a grip on how the real world works. Yet, he admits to all the things she has said has so far come true.
Criticizing how she ran her life and each little bit of hypocrisy that may have been in her closet is the same thing as criticizing a diet plan if the person on the diet goes off the rails one day.
The epilogue of the book completely misses the mark and horrendously misjudges the views of Objectivist principles. It's so frustrating to read something that so blatantly misses the mark...not just from misunderstanding but from sheer laziness of not even attempting to grasp the concepts.

[Smiley III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary Weiss pulls Ayn Rand's pants down (now THERE'S an image!) and finds a fixated, fanatical malcontent who, through a lifetime of whining "Pro-America as I see it, Con-Russia as I left it!" Capitalist-boosting, succeeded in convincing very few persons of much influence (save Alan Greenspan) about her ideas. (So long as we skip Ted Turner and his campaign to ask "Who is John Galt?" of various members of the populace driving American roads, via his unsolicitedly-purchased billboards!)

Years later, though ... somehow, the flotsam that was Rand's philosophy has become awfully appealing to none-too-few Americans who like the heft of pseudo-thought. Dutifully, Weiss hits the trail and traces not only the splinters within the Church of Objectivism and their various in-fightings and "dissents," but also the modern-era branches which seem, incongruously, to incorporate such rabidly-Atheistic thought as "Randroidism" with the down-home Christian leanings of most all Tea Party congregations, and — what do you know? — willful incongruousness, itself, seems to be its own shoe that the so-inclined wearer could find all sorts of ways to cram their feet into (to stretch the metaphor a bit!).

This World is crazy. But you need to know about it. (IOW: This book is not "nonrequired" reading!)

Don't forget to vote! God Bless, and Pray Atheist, Laissez-Faire Capitalist.

[Pippa Abston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Must-Read!! Enlightening to say the least. Helps me understand the where some of the strange things our current crop of politicians say originated. Those of us who care about influencing policy for the better need to know what we are dealing with.

The only thing I wish Weiss had addressed is what appears to me the fatal flaw in her logic. She completely fails to address the reality of how we affect each other-- it is simply not possible to live in this world without being influenced by what happens to other people. Those she viewed as "parasites" cannot just be lopped off like an unwanted tree branch-- when they are injured, the poison runs straight into our own blood stream. To imagine it is possible to barricade one's self against others and practice pure self-interest is delusional.

My thought is that if we could convince Randians or their fringe adherents of just that one point, using concrete examples, we might have a fighting chance. Moral reasoning doesn't work with these folks-- we need to dissolve the core of the philosophy itself.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary Weiss builds the case that Ayn Rand is the prime mover of today's right wing anti-government political culture and that Rand ideology brought about the current financial crisis.

He begins with those still alive who were part of Rand's inner circle. He enlarges this to those who never met her but say they are influenced by her. Most of this new generation speak of reading Rand's novels in high school and finding their thoughts given voice. Many are unaware of Rand's passionate atheism, despite the major conflict of selfishness and Christian values. Others who know the Rand canon overlook the inconvenient parts, such as the banker who knows his business depends on teams and the supporters of Israel who overlook its socialist principles.

I wasn't aware of how well Wiess was building the case until the two chapters on Alan Greenspan that describe his years with Rand and how his acting on the Rand ideology was instrumental in bringing about the current financial crash.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly nutty people, Ayn Rand acolytes.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loathe Ayn Rand and all she has inspired, but this feels like bit of a missed opportunity. Rather than critique the philosophy in a thoughtful way - perhaps unsurprising as Weiss is quite a run-of-the-mill centrist - he spends several
chapters getting bogged down pondering whether hard right anti-altruism can co-exist with Judeo-Christian principles (newsflash, as anyone who’s read… anything will tell you, the answer is no).

I didn’t feel like I learned much new from reading this.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty depressing.
if you're wondering why america is in the crap state it is currently in, this book offers a pretty solid reason why: rampant selfishness.

i find it sad that we as a country have so eagerly jumped into the ethic-less morass of Rand's Objectivism; we would rather let other people starve then lend a helping hand.
Instead of creating a country that believes in helping the weak, we are turning into a neo-feudal state, where the uber-rich get richer and keep themselves more and more separate from the rest of us, as we get poorer and poorer.

Ayn Rand gives us an excuse to be as selfish as we want to be with her Objectivism philosophy. it is a very appealing set of ideas to a lot of people.
Weiss's book explores the beginnings of this dangerous trend and makes a compelling argument about why we should be freaked out by it.

[Julie Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess: I read Rand 20 years ago. I thought Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead were boring. I did, however, enjoy the philosophical essays.

Then I grew up, saw a lot more of the world, and realized that Rand's philosophy was untenable on a broad scale (i.e., reality).

This book's primary objective (heh) is not to skewer Objectivism, but to examine the roles of Rand, her views, and her followers in modern politics. The author cautions that while it's tempting to write off Rand and her disciples as nuts, or to assume that the atheism inherent in Objectivism presents an insurmountable obstacle to the adoption of Randian views by the far right, her philosophy has been gaining traction in US economics since the appointment of Greenspan to the Fed, and the once-sharply drawn lines between Objectivism and libertarianism are blurring thanks to the Tea Party.

[Marco den Ouden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge Ayn Rand fan so it may seem unusual that I would like a book that is, frankly, very critical of her and her philosophy. But aside from the first and last chapters which have a lot of flaws, the book is very interesting and offers a lot of insight into Rand's influence. Weiss, despite his dislike for Rand, finds himself liking many of her notable followers who he interviewed. There is a part of him that, I think, likes Rand in spite of himself. The book didn't change my appreciation of Rand, and may, in fact, have reinforced my love of her work.

I may add a more detailed critique at a later date. No time now.

[Kevin Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you ever find yourself in a serious dialogue with a Randophile (and I hope you don't) this book can provide you with some background that will most likely only serve to piss off whoever you are debating.

[Charles Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who will be John Galt?

Author Gary Weiss introduces the first lady of the politics of reaction as a relic whose extremism is no longer on the fringe. Her desire that income taxes would end along with almost everything the taxes paid for is a major principle of the you know who party. Survival of the fattest…

No longer a college student read, Ayn’s principles permeate politics, religion, and “ethics” in the United States. In fact, Ayn Rand has risen from the dead and now sleeps with Jesus Christ.

Instead, the new utopia will be void of all social programs… including and not limited to your Social Security, Medicare, public schools, water delivery, and road maintenance.

(This is so, even as the subject of this biography applied for Social Security and Medicare, rather than dying impoverished in the streets. Pp. 61-62.)

Interestingly enough, even as Rand and her institute espouse atheism, major religions have glommed onto the principles of objectivity, as has a large percentage of the poor who would be penalized the most by that loss of social programs. Fascinating indeed…

Weiss spends many words describing the give and take within the Ayn Rand Institute. But, the most startling aspect is that we are not merely discussing a few titles published but an active organized group attempting to change the world to their own image. The ARI is hardly, of course, the only political/religious organization at their tenacious work, but their attention to detail and willingness to succeed is certainly enough to keep me awake at night.

Rand, according to Weiss, was the first teabagger. The acolytes of the Tea Party and collectivism are, sometimes, fascinating specimens of human behavior espousing ideologies, which if put into place, would crush them like a bug. Oh, well…

Weiss embellishes just one more group to worry about. Not a fun read…

St. Martin’s 2012

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well researched, but not always well thought out or well edited. He has interviewed a wide range of people, from die hard Ayn Rand fans to Oliver Stone (one of the best chapters). He really tries to understand and explain their points of view, whether or not he agrees with them. He is able to place their opinions in the wider scope of American political life. The middle section slowed down because it got bogged down with too many details (I almost stopped reading at that point). The last two chapters made me glad I stuck with the book. His final chapter, summarizing the effect of Ayn Rand's ideas on the current political scene, is excellent.

His analysis of her ideas, however, varied. It's easy to contrast Objectivist thought with the principles of Christianity (Rand did it all the time). Fewer authors (including Objectivist ones) contrast Objectivist thought with the principles of the American Founding Fathers. His section on Thomas Paine's writings was excellent as was his analysis of how Objectivist thought would fare in the real world. However, other parts of the book seemed to have a more knee-jerk reaction to Rand's ideas without really addressing their flaws. I'm still waiting to read a book that analyzes the drawbacks Rand's view of families and their place in society - the center of most societies, which makes it quite bizarre that she barely addresses the subject.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took a while to get going, but by second half I understood that he was building his case, making sure the reader could understand Rand’s philosophy, its adoption by a sizeable portion of the population, and why this matters.

“It seemed that everything [Rand] said about government was aimed not at the reality of America but the Russia she left in 1926,” Weiss writes. “Her acolytes, not fully comprehending the nature of her dogma, blithely accepted her vision of an American Gulag archipelago. Then they used it to rationalize another kind of oppression: the economic subjugation of the poor by large corporations.”

In the real world, the author observes, “monomaniacal selfishness is not beneficial but harmful.” And yet Rand’s anti-government, anti-altruism ideas have permeated the American right (even its otherwise religious adherents), and now threaten public education, Social Security, access to health care, and any regulation to keep the financial industry from destroying the economy and leaving millions in poverty.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author made it seem like Ayn Rand ran over his dog and then backed up to make sure it was dead. He mentions her having an abortion as evidence of her faulty moral compass.

[Craig French · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three things about myself before you read this review:
1. I'm no Randian. Haven't read Ayn Rand, either, but am familiar with Objectivism.
2. I'm not a Tea Partier.
3. I'm not a Libertarian.

I give this book two stars instead of zero stars because Gary Weiss can be rather amusing and use a clever turn of phrase at times. It also gets two stars instead of zero because it's very interesting and thought-provoking...but not for the author's intended reasons.

In the end, this book tries to thread together a rise of Objectivism/Randianism in American politics, especially the "extreme right" as exemplified by the Tea Party. Unfortunately, Weiss relies on non sequiturs and equivocations throughout the book.

Just because a large segment of the population reads, even slobbers over, Atlas Shrugged in no way demonstrates a rise in Randianism let alone Objectivism. Animal Farm is read by scads of people across the political spectrum and nearly everyone sees how prescient Orwell was...maybe everyone is becoming socialistic (Orwell was a socialist). Of course that's silly to conclude. It's at least as equally valid to conclude that men see in a story exactly what they want to see. In fact, Weiss' book lends itself to this very conclusion. Nearly every person with a favorable view of Rand's books said they expressed "exactly" what they already believed...only better or with more clarity.

Equivocations abounded in the book as well. Superficially, it might appear that Objectivism is "on the rise" when you look at the Tea Party. As noted above, an avid reader who sees his plight in a story does not make him a "Randian". Weiss recounts stories of men seeking profits at the cost of others. This is apparently a form of enlightened self-interest reflecting Objectivism. I have my doubts. There's another "o" word that's been around longer than "Objectivism". It's called "opportunism". This actually predates Ayn Rand, believe it or not. In fact, men profiting from widows, orphans, and the weak are described in the Biblical Proverbs...again...this predates Ayn Rand. Weiss fails to connect the dots beyond pointing out obvious greed in business that has existed for thousands of years. Weiss valiantly tries to connect the dots to Rand but fails. Man is greedy and acts with blatant disregard for others all the time. Following Weiss' logic, we could blame Ayn Rand for just about everything resulting from selfishness.

Perhaps chapter 13 came the closest to showing a connection between Republicans and Objectivism...however, that rests on a leftist like Miles Rappaport claiming Republicans have adopted Objectivist planks and an Objectivist like Yaron Brook concurring. The former seeking to vilify Republicans, the latter needing the validation such an association might create. This was one of the more helpful chapters, actually, as it did successfully demonstrate Objectivists disconnection from reality at several key points. The whole "trader" idea when entering into contracts with banks is ludicrous. There's no such thing as negotiating with a bank. You're offered terms that you either accept or reject. There is no counter offer. Weiss was spot on here and some other points.

Weiss also sounded ignorant at times. On more than one occasion he pointed to Thomas Paine as being an important part of the American Revolution. The truth is, he wasn't. He didn't publish Common Sense until 1776.

Weiss was able to point out some inconsistencies with Ayn Rand herself. The fact she and her husband received social security and medicare. Unseemly and immoral things such as her adultery and abortion. I would have liked to see more of this along with delving into the actual ideas of Objectivism. I think Weiss is correct to point out how there is a cult-like love of "purity" within Objectivist circles and enjoyed reading about the infighting and power grabs. The book is interesting. Ironically, it reads like left-leaning conspiracy theory to jump start the stalled out plot line. The book fails to expose anything new, and fails more miserably at connecting Randian dots to the Tea Party and a growth in Randianism in general. The casual reader may find Weiss convincing, but that rests on the very ignorance Weiss bemoans when it comes to a credible refutation of Objectivism. Unfortunately, Weiss threw his hat toward the ring and managed to fall about 15 feet short of the mat.

[Cam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I'm not an Objectivist.

I view Rand as a curiosity. Like most, I read her books in my mid-teenage years, and although I'm certain that they helped shape my belief system, there's a good deal to them that I outright rejected. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I am a neutral reviewer, but I do consider myself a moderate when it comes to Rand.

As for Wiess, I found his analysis of Objectivism interesting for about the first hundred or so pages. Having never met an Objectivist, it was interesting to see various representations and the backgrounds they came from. The author's information on the Institution and Rand herself was also very useful, and for the sake of this first third, I'm happy to have read the book. At some point, however, the content became repetitive and the author didn't seem to have anything new to add.

I persisted until the half-way mark and then skimmed the rest until the epilogue, which I found real fault with. In his description of an Objectivist world, Weiss asserts that selfishness (of the Randian variety) must lead to neglect and dystopia. Why is this? Earlier, in one of his interviews, Weiss asks his interviewee, the theist Meckler, how he reconciles his Randian ideals with some of his Judeo-Christian ideals, such as charity. According to Weiss, charity must equal altruism, one of Rand's most despised concepts. Meckler's response is shallow: charity is really selfish because it makes the giver feel good. That's not in-line with Rand. Weiss rightly rejects this response, but instead of using it as an occasion to explain Rand's actual beliefs regarding "altruism" and "charity," he simply criticized it as a Randian ploy to make Objectivism more palatable. Meckler is a self-described compromiser, however, and his views on Rand aren't orthodox.

To get back to the point, Weiss believes that the higher ideals of society (kindness, charity, etc) are incompatible with Rand. Thus, unless "a profit-making capitalist found it in his own selfish interests" to fund public services, they would go unfulfilled, because such a world would not allow for the cultivation of social virtues. That's a false assumption, however. In a TV interview, Rand was once asked about this idea of a virtueless society under selfishness. Rand insisted that the programs currently run by the government would not cease to exist but would rather be shifted into private spheres of influence naturally, assuming that all Objectivist ideals were realized. The reason why? Rand said that such private services and their donors would contribute towards these causes for the sake of creating the kind of world they wanted to live in. Think of it as a voluntary tax (I'm not saying she wasn't idealistic).

This sounds almost like "brotherly love," right? "Let's all make the world a better place together!" But remember that Rand's definition of happiness is the realization of one's own values. Objectivists aren't these seedy creatures hiding in pent-houses counting their gold. They can have values and some of them, believe it or not, coincide with Christian virtue, although their ends are different. The thing is, they believe that their values can't be, shouldn't be, dictated by society, religion, or any other group. They must have values as an individual. "Artificial virtue," pressed upon them, would be altruism. If they don't want orphans to learn how to read - if that's not the world they want to live in - they can't be made to profess or contribute to such ideals. BUT, if a man wants to live in a world where every orphan has a puppy and that vision has not been forced upon him, he can be an orthodox Objectivist while spending every last penny on his project. Such charity is selfish in the sense that it has originated in the individual and is carried out voluntarily towards the purpose of achieving his own values. Hence: It is in man's own interests to invest in a society that meets his ideals, Rand says. It's selfish.

Of course, this is coming from a teenager whose main experience with Rand has been the novelizations of her philosophy. It's perfectly possible that I've misunderstood Objectivism and Wiess has it straight. But I can't assume that, and so here I've given my own understanding of the topic.

[Maria C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very well written, and Gary Weiss says everything that I felt about the Tea Party and the conservative movement. What I wonder from reading this book, is how can the followers of Ayn Rand continue to hold the premise that government is always bad for business (at least in America) when from the time of the robber barons the Rocekefellers and others raided the country's natural resources; when the Chicago stockyards were full of manufacturers selling rotten meat; when only once through the determined effort of Teddy Roosevelt and the muckrakers did the monopolistic tendencies of companies and their tendencies to create monopolies stop; when one G.M. executive was said to have said what's good for G.M. is good for America; and when President Eisenhower said to the new President, "beware of the industrial-military complex". How can the followers of Ayn Rand continue believing that business is the only good, and noble institutinns, when business after business have thrown thousands if not milions of people out of work, when thousands of cities, towns, and states have been practically decimated, destroyed because of this belief that only business is good and noble? Lastly, how can the followers of Ayn Rand continue to hold their belief that "a rising tide lifts all boats" when all captains of industry have left most citizens without boats, without oars and without harbors, or even lighthouses, indeed, have left the harbors full of oil (as in the numerous oil spills) and states so afraid of running up against big business that there is no money, no oversight to prevent or clean up oil spills?

[Wendelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

ethnography of that strange group, the Ayn Randists, that subscribe a huge part of their identities and activities to being followers and promoters of Ayn Rand. This book lets us meet businessmen, housewives, etc., that embrace Ayn Rand's teachings passionately. It is also a hardhitting study of the contradictions inherent in Ayn Rand, both in her personal character and in her philosophy. It is frighteningly relevant because some of her disciples, starring the fervent Alan Greenspan, have used their exalted positions to restructure parts of American society and economy according to Ayn Rand's narrow and heavy-handed thinking on individualism and the free market. The final chapter is an imagination of America completely administrated according to Ayn Rand's principles. It becomes a farcical dystopia where the elderly are left to die, forests and national parks are cleared, and individuals that cannot afford food or private security are at the mercy of others. It is frightening because the author makes the point that a significant part of Ayn Rand's vanguard already command elite positions in American society, and with each piece of legislation or economic policy America is making a choice. This book is a work of utmost integrity, urgency, and conviction.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read, and I certainly agree with Weiss's premise and call-to-arms, but I disagree with his focus. Weiss does what I have been telling my daughter NOT to do while she participates in mock political debates in social studies class - Weiss bases a political arguement on morality. In this book, he focuses on the amorality of Objectivism and asserts that we need to support altruism because it's moral. But, politics is about money, and when it comes to money, arguements must be based on self-interest. That's what Randists believe and count on. The only way to fight them is to base counter-arguements on self-interest, not morality. And there is certainly a self-interest basis to altruism/collectivism. For example, at the very least, it's in your interest to put social welfare programs in place because you yourself may need them some day, as Ayn Rand herself showed when she enrolled in Medicare! But despite the weak arguement, this book is worth reading for the expose of Rand's growing influence in this country.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick journalistic look at the Ayn Rand legacy, much of it held occult by her robot minders. Wish there was more on her current political and social influence which is extraordinary. Had she not been an atheist the books would sell even more briskly than they continue to do. It's actually tragic her atheistic tendencies were not more influential. It is hard not to respect her to some degree and although Atlas Shrugged is a slog sometimes- compared to the superior The Fountainhead, the notion that she is a "bad" writer is really a leftist slur. Both books contain lovely passages and are well organized, clearly plotted novels. Her prose compared to even well regarded arty novels of today remains superior. But a strange woman and likely mentally ill to some degree. The not bathing being a fairly good clue of a disordered mind.

[John Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a well written book, Gary Weiss gives a rough sketch of the history of the Objectivist movement, as well as explaining Rand's ethics and epistemology. Throughout the book, Weiss is continually connecting dots and building a compelling argument that Objectivism was the common denominator of the mortgage crisis and market crash of 2008. Weiss also argues cogently that the ideology that undergirds much of the far right (Tea Party) is Objectivism.

On a personal level, I am bewildered whenever I hear fellow Christians express admiration for Ayn Rand and/or Objectivism. Many people have never read anything written by Rand other than ATLAS SHRUGGED; and books like CAPITALISM: THE UNKOWN IDEAL and THE VIRTUE OF SELFISHNESS can be daunting to the average reader. I'm thankful that I have now found a book that I can recommend to my fellow Believers who have become enamoured with Ayn Rand.

[Phillip Ramm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confirmation of what a rabid bitch she was, although objective and rational, and what a bunch of nasty people are following in her heels, non-objective and irrational. A series of interviews with people who have aligned themselves with Rand's philosophy or what they had absorbed of it from reading Atlas Meh'd and The Foutainballs...

Why are libertarians (whom she hated) and the religious right (she was a vigorous atheist) coming together in the Tea-Party essentially under her often unnamed patronage? Because the justification of selfishness always makes you fell better about your personal greed, and they are not the same thing.

Alan Greenspan was an adoring acolyte and by his own admission he doesn't know how the world works.

Me, I always hated Gary Coper for blowing up those buildings because I am an expat and we expats LOVE condos with balconies.

[Catherine Fitzpatrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

While claiming to be a study of Randians and their pernicious effect on our society (Alan Greenspan is one! Eek!), it actually turns out to be more of a sociological study of scared liberals like Gary Weiss who fear Rand. It's gotten so you can't criticize socialism or communism without someone like Weiss freaking out that you are a Randian.

I find Rand loathsome because she's precisely a mirror image of Bolshevism, but Weiss hardly explores that aspect of this cult figure because to do so would mean he'd have to depart from his own innate and unexamined socialism.

I particularly didn't like the antisemitic stereotypes of Jews in business coming from this Jewish writer.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rampant stupidity down south as usual....no surprise there. Most of the modern tea party folks seem to not be well versed in who Rand was and what she really stood for. It's scary really .....

Finished. Ayn Rand came to this country from Stalinist Russia in 1926 and today people are tying to bring her ideas to this country including abolishing child labor laws, building codes, public education. Putting all in private hands, the free market, profit motive over all. Like any radical idea, it will fail.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this book. It was a nice complement that Paul was listening to Atlas Shrugged on tape at the same time - so I got to listen to a bit while driving around this weekend.

Before reading this, Ayn Rand's name rang a bell, but I couldn't tell you which one. It was really interesting to start to understand the thinking behind many in the Tea Party and Objectivist movements. The author certainly is not a fan of Objectivism, but the writing is very engaging. I recommend to both literary and poli-sci friends.

[Harry Roger Williams III · Rating 3 out of 5]

After several starts (and renewals - thank you Thomas Crane Public Library) I only reached page 15. I think the topic of "selfishness and private enterprise versus public enterprise and public good" is important and in flux over the last few decades. I often speak and write about the Public Library and Public Education movements as practical "barn raising" endeavors by people who intuitively know that not all enterprises need to be shared in the same way. However, I returned and re-read those fifteen pages and never developed any momentum with the book. Maybe next year.

[Adam Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the life and influence of a woman whose unpleasant and vile legacy still bears rotten fruit. Weiss is, of course, more balanced than this introductory sentence of mine. But the book does a good job of showing how Rand's economic and philosophical teachings are at the heart of the Tea Party and other conservative policies, having conquered the world through her devoted disciple, Alan Greenspan. If you want to understand the conservative movement and the polucy decisions of our government, yiu need to understand Ayn Rand.