Books: Objectivism

A defense of Ayn Rand's ethics. My review is here. (See the whole review)

Coming next month: ... (See the whole review)

Ayn Rand Explained From Tyranny to Tea Party Ronald E. Merrill, author Marsha Familaro Enright, editor (2012 Open Court) Description at Amazon 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 g... (See the whole review)

This transcription of lectures from 1983 may prove less satisfying to those who have considered themselves at least "students of Objectivism" for the past 30 years.  ... (See the whole review)

I have just finished this hot-off-the-press book. I can summarize it in one word, "sneering." He sneers at Objectivism, Rand, libertarianism and the Tea Party from the first page to the last. Weiss's goal is to show how the "cult" of Rand has influenced the Tea Party movement and the resurgence of "extreme" right wing politics. He acknowledges the ... (See the whole review)

Like the subtitle indicates, this book is about induction. When and why is the inference from "some" to "all" legitimate? The narratives about some famous scientists arriving at their inductive generalizations are interesting and illuminating. There are ones about Benjamin Franklin, Kepler, Galileo, Newton, atomic theory, and chemistry. Harriman's ... (See the whole review)

After half a century, the original lecture series on Objectivism is now available in book form, with new commentary by the author and a forward by Barbara Branden. Paperback copies of the book will start shipping to those who pre-ordered the book on 12/12/2009. Order from the Laissez Faire books website: For ten years--from 1958 to... (See the whole review)

I have just completed reading this well researched and unbiased biography of Ayn Rand. Eight years in the writing, it traces the evolution of her thinking, relationships, conflicts and triumphs. Jennifer Burns claims not to be an Objectivist but she "gets" the essence of the philosophy. Please read the other comments on the Amazon site. ... (See the whole review)

From the Synopsis at the Barnes and Noble site: “In layman’s terms, using vivid examples, Andrew Bernstein clearly explains the brilliant ideas that animate the conflict and characters of Anthem, The Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged.” ... (See the whole review)

Book Description After the publication of Atlas Shrugged in 1957, Ayn Rand occasionally lectured in order bring her philosophy of Objectivism to a wider audience and apply it to current cultural and political issues. These taped lectures and the question-and-answer sessions that followed not only added an eloquent new dimension to Ayn Rand's ide... (See the whole review)

I have found this book to be more beneficial as an introduction to "Objectivist Thought" for the layman than any of her other writings. I have tried to talk to people at the ARI and TOC, but the minute I mention this title the subject is changed or the communication terminated. "For the New Intellectual", "A Time For Truth" by William E. ... (See the whole review)

Whether you love him or hate him, Leonard Peikoff has written a definitive, bottom to top, tour de force treatment of Objectivism in this publication.  Newcomers to the ideas of Ayn Rand will appreciate this systematic, integrated, "big picture" overview of her philosophy for living on Earth.  Detractors will complain that this book merely uncritic... (See the whole review)

This book critically examines the Objectivist position on such major thinkers as Plato, Augustine, Hume, Kant and Nietzsche and finds them wanting. It includes 3 appendixes; one that provides an overview of Objectivism.

While Unrugged Individualism is only 65 pages long, the information inside is so succinct and essential that this is one of the best books around. This book explores the topic of benevolence -- why it's a virtue and what it consists of. But it is not just about benevolence. In order to discuss such things as the difference between benevolence and a... (See the whole review)