The 13 Books That Every Young Conservative Must Read
"Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand
The fourth and final novel by Objectivist founder Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged is considered her magnum opus, and a must-read for any budding conservative.
The book describes a dystopian America, in which society collapses under increasingly oppressive government intervention, as the most productive members disappear, led by the hero John Galt. The story lays out the basic tenets of Rand's philosophy, championing reason, individualism, capitalism, and "rational selfishness."
Despite being very long and very, very dark, Atlas Shrugged has enjoyed enduring popularity since its 1957 publication. Sales of the book have spiked since the 2007 economic downturn, and the opening line, and its opening line, "Who is John Galt?" has become a common slogan on Tea Party signs and bumper stickers.
