Book review: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
I really enjoyed this book by Ayn Rand. First of all it is an interesting story, but it also makes you think.
It challenged me to rethink whether it’s always right to expect everyone to work for the “common good” or to distribute everything based purely on need.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not a fan of turbo-capitalism or unchecked neoliberalism. But I do think there’s truth in the idea that pursuing one’s own economic interests isn’t inherently selfish—it’s necessary.
Take a baker, for example: if they gave away their bread for free, they’d be out of business quickly. But by baking and selling it, they support themselves and provide value to others. That’s a fair and mutually beneficial exchange.
This doesn’t excuse unethical behavior in business—but making money, even a lot of it (if it’s earned fairly), isn’t something we should automatically label as selfish or wrong.
What I do have a hard time understanding is the opposite: expecting others to provide for you without contributing, inheriting wealth without effort, or refusing to be productive while demanding financial support. That mindset seems much more problematic to me.
If any of this triggers you: read the book.
The best books are often the ones that make you uncomfortable, that push you to re-examine your assumptions. Atlas Shrugged was published in 1957, yet we’re still debating the same questions today. That alone makes it worth reading—even if you strongly disagree with its premise. Especially then.