There is no set reading order for someone to be properly introduced to Objectivism. Although some of Ayn Rand’s material is more introductory, few of her works are too advanced for beginners.
Generally, it makes sense to start with whatever book or topic interests you the most, but if you’re not sure where to begin, we can offer some guidance.
Most people are introduced to Ayn Rand with her novels. Beginning with her fiction allows you to
- See Objectivism concretely manifested
- Gain emotional inspiration from the lives of her heroes
- Understand the basic principles of her philosophy and what they look like when lived consistently
- Appreciate Ayn Rand as an artist.
The novels Ayn Rand wrote during and after the development of Objectivism, and which contain the most philosophical substance, are The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged.
The Fountainhead is the story of Howard Roark, a young and unconventional architect of uncompromising vision, who struggles to establish his career while opposed by a traditionalist architectural establishment. It may be a better starting place for those who are less interested in politics or less sympathetic to Rand’s political ideas, or who would rather read a story about Ayn Rand’s philosophy embodied in an individual soul than in a society. It can have more appeal for artists and entrepreneurs, or young people starting out in a career. It is shorter than Atlas Shrugged and contains less explicit philosophy.
If you happen to be an architect, it is practically mandatory for you to read this book first.
Atlas Shrugged takes place in a future America crumbling under the weight of growing authoritarian statism. Its main characters are Dagny Taggart, a rail executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel industrialist, who work to continue their operations in the face of increasing economic hardship, expanding government controls, and the ongoing mysterious disappearances of businessmen and industrialists across the country.
It is a novel of considerably greater scope and length than The Fountainhead, exploring the implications of its theme across an entire society. It may be better for those who are particularly interested in politics and economics.
If you have some familiarity with Objectivism, or have already read one or more of Ayn Rand’s novels, we suggest reading (or listening to) Ayn Rand’s essay The Objectivist Ethics. This may be the closest thing Ayn Rand wrote to an essay-length treatment of Objectivism as a whole (other than a certain passage in Atlas Shrugged). Although it focuses on ethics, it gives indications of the Objectivist metaphysics, epistemology and politics. This essay is very helpful to understand the concrete meaning of terms Rand uses such as “selfishness.”
Please note that The Objectivist Ethics contains spoilers for Atlas Shrugged.
