Rev. ed. of: The ideas of Ayn Rand.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 205-212) and index.

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 Rand’s life, work, and influence, with the emphasis on her ideas. The book covers Rand’s 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. Rand’s 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