I’d say its one of the only books I’ve read where I knew the first time I read it that I’d be back and would probably gain just as much from rereading it as I did reading it the first time.

The only other book that I can think of like this is Joseph Campbell’s Power of Myth. Very different, but, in a way, very similar. The Hero’s path, who goes forth into the deep dark forest regardless of ridicule and risk … to return back with new knowledge, etc.

When I first read the book, I was very annoyed by Francisco’s constant reminder about “checking your premises” but after reading and, especially, watching the interviews on youtube, of Rand, I understand more of what Francisco was talking about.

I find it interesting to ponder, that at the very same moment we are reading this book and discussing its philosophical points on this blog, there are masses of people, many of them students in the most formative time of their intellectual careers, being armed with counter measures to honoring the creation of value. An anthem of sorts that sounds strong if enough people are saying it, and enough laws enforcing it. Jim displays this mindless self-righteous aggression best:

— Book Quote —-

Jim was approaching his senior year in a college in New York. His studies had given him a manner of odd, quavering belligerence, as if he had found a new weapon. He addressed Francisco once, without provocation, stopping him in the middle of the lawn to say in a tone of aggressive self-righteousness:

“I think that now that you’ve reached college age, you ought to learn something about ideals. It’s time to forget your selfish greed and give some thought to your social responsibilities, because I think that all those millions you’re going to inherit are not for your personal pleasure, they are a trust for the benefit of the underprivileged and the poor, because I think that the person who doesn’t realize this is the most depraved type of human being.”

Francisco answered courteously, “It is not advisable, James, to venture unsolicited opinions. You should spare yourself the embarrassing discovery of their exact value to your listener.”

— Book Quote —

Here are a couple of observations that I made
personally:

Francisco comments to Dagny don’t sound as if
he doesn’t care any longer about business. He keeps
saying things like “have you checked your premises”
and “given what you know, you might be right”. Would
he really have put that much thought into these things
if he was so carefree and unconcerned with money or
the perception of his behavior?

As far as the philosophical points, the idea of money-making
as a virtue is one that resonates really strongly for me. I think
about how businessman are almost always portrayed by
hollywood (as evil money-lovers who will do anything for a
profit), or by the media, and there seems to be a lack of
recognition that, for the most part, you don’t make money
without providing some value. There are obviously exceptions,
but I don’t understand why the exceptions are what people tend
to focus on. My personal prejudice is that the Kenneth Lay’s of
the world are in the minority, but they are all you hear about, while
the quiet and less flamboyant and abusive CEOs are by and large
ignored, despite being more important.

I don’t go as far as Rand in thinking that dedicating everything to
your business is the height of virtue, but I do believe that having
a strong drive to provide a value and recieve a value in return (money)
is by and large a good thing and what lifts the quality of life for
civilization as a whole.

In response to Stellas #5:
“Politics: Capitalism stands for a government whose only function is to protect man from those who initiate the use of physical force. I am looking forward to her ideas of how a society should deal with people who are poor, unemployed, sick and so on.”

Having not read AS before, I am interested as well.
I would offer that it is everyones responsibility to take care of those in their communities who have fallen ill or on hard times. This can be accomplished individually, thru charitable organizations or thru communities of faith. Government intervention thru regulation/taxation in these matters have consequences both seen and unanticipated (see Clarks - minimum wage and FDA comments). In many cases, the intervention itself does more harm that good.
Cheers!