It was way back in the late 1960’s, as I remember. A good Philadelphia friend of mine, Lou Hoffman, told me one day that he had read a book which I should read, and it was called “Atlas Shrugged.” “O.K. Lou, I’ll try to remember it,” was my reply. Every time I saw Lou, he asked me if I had gotten and read “Atlas Shrugged,” and I said “no.” He kept on, every time I saw him. In late 1971, I bought the Grand Imperial Hotel in Silverton Colorado, and moved away from Philly, where Lou and a host of other people were my friends. Had to save that historic structure which would have been torn down if I didn’t buy it. Silverton is 45 miles north of Durango, Colorado. One day, I was in Durango, went into a book store, and saw a paperback edition of “Atlas Shrugged,” and remembered what Lou had told me. I bought it for about $4 and went back to Silverton to read this marvelous book that my friend Lou had begged me to read.
I stayed up for 30 hours, devouring it, and it truly changed my life. I have re-read it several times since, and my son David has as well. “Atlas Shrugged,” is 1157 pages long, and not a quick read. I loaned a copy to a friend here in Colorado, and he is devouring it also, and losing sleep as he absorbs this political theory in novel form. Written by Ayn Rand in 1957, it is her crowning achievement. Rand wrote a lot of books, and I think I have most, if not all of them. “The Fountainhead” is one of hers, but doesn’t hold a shadow to “Atlas Shrugged,” and besides, Gary Cooper was a lousy actor. Movies rarely equal the book, and “The Fountainhead,” is no exception. Rand didn’t know much about sex or railroads, but she certainly had the rest of it right on the ball. Rand was a Russian Jewess, not very attractive, kind of pudgy, and never lost her accent, but was brilliant. As you read the novel, you can just imagine the characters doing their things. It is uncanny how logical it all is, in spite of the wholesale….well never mind! GET IT AND READ IT.
There are many long speeches in the novel, and these are of the utmost importance. Do not skip over them or ignore them! When you get close to the end, you will run across a place called “Galt’s Gulch.” Rand was touring Colorado in the early 1950’s, and went through the neighboring town of Ouray (pronounced u-ray), and it is Ouray which gave her the inspiration for Galt’s Gulch. I used to buy “Atlas Shrugged” by the case and give them away! Haven’t done that of late, but if you have ever paid attention to me, or have ever taken my advice, buy and read, “Atlas Shrugged.” It will remain in your mind for the rest of your life, and of course change your life, as it has mine.