Ayn Rand

The Night of January 16th

We the Living

In a world where individualism is considered a sin, a young man known as Equality 7-2521 finds solace in a secret tunnel where he writes and reflects on his life. Despite the societal constraints, he relishes his solitude and begins to yearn for more time alone. He recalls his childhood, his dreams of becoming a scholar, and his punishment to serve as a street sweeper for being too smart and too tall. This punishment, instead of dissuading him, provides an opportunity to atone for his perceived sins.

At the age of ten, Equality 7-2521 witnesses the execution of a man who dared to discover and use the forbidden word "I". This experience imprints on him the desire to discover, leading him to conduct experiments in his secret hideaway, culminating in the creation of a lightbulb. Meanwhile, he meets a defiant peasant girl, the Golden One, and despite societal norms, they form a bond and fall in love - an act that gives him a strange sense of connection to the Palace of Mating, a location where citizens are sent once a year for procreation.

Unfortunately, before he could present his invention to the World Council of Scholars, he is detained for returning late to his quarters and refusing to divulge his whereabouts. Despite being tortured, he refuses to reveal his secret, intent on unveiling it to the council himself. When he finally presents his invention to the council, it is rejected out of fear and anger. With threats to his life and his lightbulb, he escapes to the Uncharted Forest, relishing in his newfound freedom. There, he reunites with the Golden One and together, they find an abandoned house in the mountains from a time long past. Here, he discovers the true meaning of "I", and they vow to start a new generation of individuals who believe in the self and its power.

Anthem

During a period of economic downfall, Dagny Taggart, operations head of Taggart Transcontinental, is tasked with mending the collapsing Rio Norte Line, which services Colorado - the last industrially thriving area in the nation. This challenge is further complicated by the disappearance of several gifted entrepreneurs. In the midst of this, the Mexican government seizes control of Taggart’s San Sebastian Line, the lifeline to Francisco d’Anconia’s copper mills. Unexpectedly, Francisco, a formerly successful industrialist and Dagny's ex-lover, lets his mills turn worthless. To salvage the financial crisis, Dagny's brother Jim manipulates political connections to eradicate their Colorado competition. Dagny, on the other hand, turns to a revolutionary alloy, Rearden Metal, created by Hank Rearden. The duo becomes romantically involved while attempting to revive a discarded motor that runs on static electricity.

However, their efforts are thwarted as the State Science Institute defames Rearden metal, causing Taggart’s stocks to plummet. Unfazed, Dagny establishes her own firm to rebuild the line, achieving significant success. Soon, an increase in restrictive legislation cripples the Colorado industry, forcing several industrialists, including oil tycoon Ellis Wyatt, to vanish mysteriously. Francisco implores Rearden to question the worth of working under such repressive circumstances. Rearden, under trial for violation of new laws, stands defiant and is let off as the authorities fear being perceived as oppressive. Later, Rearden is blackmailed into signing over his metal to protect Dagny's reputation after Jim discovers their affair. Consequently, Dagny resigns and retreats to a mountain lodge.

When a tragic accident befalls Taggart Tunnel, Dagny resumes her position. She soon crash lands in a secluded valley while in pursuit of a potential target of the "destroyer". This valley is inhabited by the vanished industrialists, who are on a cognitive strike. John Galt, the man behind the strike and the inventor of the motor, is revealed as the "destroyer". Despite falling for him, Dagny leaves the valley, only to find the government has seized the railroad industry. After publicly exposing the blackmail and oppressive government practices, she is coerced into rejoining the industry. Eventually, the country's economy collapses, and John Galt seizes control of the airwaves, divulging the conditions of his strike. Captured by the desperate government, he refuses to cooperate, leading to his rescue by Dagny and the strikers. Finally agreeing to the strike, Dagny, along with the other strikers, prepares to return as the nation collapses.

Atlas Shrugged

An avant-garde architect named Howard Roark finds himself expelled from his architecture school for his refusal to abide by antiquated traditions. He chooses to move to New York where he works with a discredited architect, Henry Cameron, who Roark highly admires. Meanwhile, Peter Keating, Roark's former schoolmate, also ends up in New York, working for a top architectural company run by the renowned Guy Francon. While Roark and Cameron's works are underappreciated, Keating's ability to charm and appease his superiors leads him to rapid success. However, Roark's uncompromising approach to design ultimately results in him working at a granite quarry in Connecticut.

At the quarry, Roark feels an intense draw towards Dominique Francon, the beautiful and mercurial daughter of Guy Francon. Dominique shares a similar disgust for society's mediocre architecture and is searching for something more. After a disturbing encounter, Dominique comes to realize that she deeply admires Roark and his work. Despite this, she publicly attempts to sabotage his career while privately meeting with him. Ellsworth Toohey, an architectural critic with socialist views, perceives Roark as a threat and manipulates a businessman into suing Roark for his unconventional architectural style, resulting in Roark losing his business. Dominique marries Peter Keating as a form of self-inflicted punishment for her feelings towards Roark.

Gail Wynand, a jaded publisher who capitalizes on public opinion, becomes infatuated with Dominique and offers Keating financial gain and prestige in exchange for his wife. Dominique, expecting Wynand to be worse than Keating, is surprised to find him principled. Wynand unknowingly becomes friends with Roark, not aware of the latter's past with Dominique. Roark, intrigued by the concept of economical housing, agrees to design a public housing project under the condition that his design remains unaltered. Upon discovering that his design has been compromised, Roark destroys the project and is arrested. Wynand initially supports Roark but later succumbs to public opinion. However, Roark's passionate defense about selfishness and individuality sways the courtroom, resulting in his acquittal. Roark marries Dominique and is commissioned by Wynand to design a skyscraper symbolizing the power of the individual.

Ayn Rand Books in Order (10 Book Series)

The Night of January 16th

We the Living

Anthem

Atlas Shrugged

The Fountainhead

For the New Intellectual

The Philosophy of Ayn Rand

The Virtue of Selfishness

The Romantic Manifesto

A Philosophy of Literature

The Early Ayn Rand

A Selection from Her Unpublished Fiction

Ideal

What To Read Next

Ayn Rand Books in Order (10 Book Series)

The Night of January 16th

We the Living

Anthem

Atlas Shrugged

The Fountainhead

For the New Intellectual

The Philosophy of Ayn Rand

The Virtue of Selfishness

The Romantic Manifesto

A Philosophy of Literature

The Early Ayn Rand

A Selection from Her Unpublished Fiction

Ideal

What To Read Next

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