If you would like to learn about the author of the bestselling novels Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead and such radical nonfiction works as The Virtue of Selfishness and Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal—on the pages of this Web site you will find the widest selection of books, courses, audiocassettes, CDs and videos by, on and about Ayn Rand. Enjoy the intellectual adventure that awaits you!

For the benefit of newcomers to the Ayn Rand Bookstore, we offer some context and an orientation.

Who was Ayn Rand? Ayn Rand (1905–1982) was a novelist-philosopher whose writings have sparked an intellectual revolution that is having a growing impact on the culture.

Born in Russia, she emigrated to the United States in 1926, becoming an American citizen, by choice and intellectual conviction. Over the years her writing won her the admiration of millions of fans. Atlas Shrugged (1957) was her last work of fiction and greatest achievement: it is a novel that dramatizes—with irresistible logic and suspenseful action—her unique philosophy in the form of an intellectual mystery story.

In the final decades of her life, Ayn Rand turned to nonfiction, writing and lecturing on her philosophy, Objectivism, which she characterized as a "philosophy for living on earth." From 1962 to 1976 she published and edited her own periodicals. Taking Objectivism as her frame of reference, she addressed issues ranging from abortion and the moon landing to the lessons of the Vietnam War and the nature of human knowledge. [About Ayn Rand's Works]

What can I find on this Web site? Through this Web site, and through our print catalog (which is published every fall and included with every order to new customers), we provide educational materials that illuminate Ayn Rand's literary achievements and that discuss the intellectual framework underlying her fiction: the philosophy of Objectivism.

Who is Leonard Peikoff? Dr. Peikoff, the preeminent authority on Objectivism, was a longtime student of Ayn Rand's. He has been a contributor to and an associate editor, with Ayn Rand, of The Objectivist (1966–71) and The Ayn Rand Letter (1971–76). Dr. Peikoff has taught philosophy at Hunter College, New York University and the University of Denver (among others). Over the years his courses on Objectivism were taped and played to groups in some 100 cities in the United States, Canada and Europe. Dr. Peikoff, who regularly speaks at Objectivist conferences, is the author of Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand, the definitive statement of her system of ideas. [To learn more about the life and work of Dr. Leonard Peikoff, visit www.peikoff.com.]

Where do the courses and lectures on this Web site come from? In addition to Ayn Rand's own works, we carry courses and writings by Objectivist intellectuals—the "new intellectuals" who work to defend the ideals of reason, egoism and individualism. Some of these new intellectuals are professors; some are professional writers; some are independent scholars—all are united by a serious interest in Objectivism and its application to their field.

The courses we offer are unique, and to be found nowhere else. Many of them were originally recorded at Objectivist conferences, which have been held annually for more than 20 years. These educational conferences serve two main purposes: they are forums for new intellectuals to share their current work and research; for fans interested in Ayn Rand, the conferences are an opportunity to enrich their understanding of her ideas.

Some of the materials we offer are by thinkers unaffiliated with Ayn Rand's ideas, but are pro-science, pro-individualism, pro-capitalism. We regard such resources as important and valuable correctives to the intellectual chaos of our culture.

What is the Ford Hall Forum? Established in 1908, the Ford Hall Forum hosts public lectures in Boston, Massachusetts, by leading cultural figures, politicians and intellectuals. From 1961 to 1981, Ayn Rand was a frequent invited speaker at the forum. Several of her lectures were subsequently published as essays in such books as The Voice of Reason: Essays in Objectivist Thought. Since her death, Dr. Leonard Peikoff has spoken at the Forum on a number of occasions, most recently in 2003.

What is the Ayn Rand Institute (ARI)? The Institute, founded in 1985 by Dr. Leonard Peikoff, is an educational organization that seeks to disseminate Ayn Rand's ideas throughout the culture. ARI works to change the culture into one that is pro-reason, pro-individualism, pro-capitalism. It does that on a national scale through a broad array of programs, including: high school essay contests on Ayn Rand's novels; newspaper editorials and television and radio interviews; university-level courses on Objectivism; outreach programs and executive-training courses for businessmen; adult education conferences; college lectures on campuses.

The Ayn Rand Institute is designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is funded by voluntary (tax-deductible) contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations. The Institute, which is located in Irvine, California, operates the Ayn Rand Bookstore and Objectivist Conferences, which are owned by Second Renaissance, Inc.

To learn more about the work of the Ayn Rand Institute and the benefits of supporting it, please visit www.aynrand.org.

What is the Ayn Rand Institute Lecture Series? In 2002 the Institute sponsored a series of free public lectures on Objectivism and the application of Ayn Rand's ideas to various cultural issues, such as the war on terrorism. ARI continued to host the lecture series in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. These events have attracted more than 5,000 people, as well as frequent coverage in the media. We are pleased to offer video and audio recordings of these provocative lectures and often fiery question periods.

What types of work are included in our catalog? Objectivism is the philosophy originated by Ayn Rand and presented in the material she herself wrote or endorsed, most of which is offered for sale by the Ayn Rand Bookstore. Her philosophical system upholds reason, egoism and capitalism. Our catalog also features courses and writings by intellectuals who advocate Objectivism and seek to apply it, but whose work is not official Objectivism. Although such work may be consistent with Ayn Rand's philosophy, it was never approved by her (often, it appeared only after her death). Our catalog contains as well materials by writers who have no connection with Objectivism. Inclusion of work in either category means that we regard the work to be of potential value to our readers, but does not necessarily imply that the Ayn Rand Institute endorses or agrees with its content.