#31 - The Wild Wild West of Mineral Real Estate

Published in 1957, 'Atlas Shrugged' is Ayn Rand's magnum opus and her longest novel. The story is set in a dystopian United States where increasingly burdensome laws and regulations strangle innovation and productivity. The plot follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel magnate, as they struggle against 'looters' who exploit their work. A mysterious figure named John Galt leads a strike of productive individuals, persuading them to abandon their companies and disappear. The novel culminates with Galt's three-hour radio speech explaining his philosophy of Objectivism, which emphasizes rational self-interest, individual rights, and the importance of the human mind. The book explores themes of capitalism, property rights, and the failures of governmental coercion, presenting a provocative vision of a society in collapse and the potential for a new capitalist society based on Galt's principles.

In 'Patriot Games', Tom Clancy introduces Jack Ryan, a former Marine and CIA analyst turned history professor, who finds himself embroiled in an international terrorist plot while vacationing in London. After heroically foiling an assassination attempt against the Prince and Princess of Wales, Ryan becomes the target of the Ulster Liberation Army. As he navigates this dangerous world, Ryan must protect his family and engage in a relentless pursuit of justice, transforming from a historian into a reluctant hero. The novel delves into themes of terrorism, personal and global conflicts, and the intricate details of espionage and counter-terrorism operations.