#109 - Michael Malice - The State Is a Criminal Gang

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.

Written by Francis Newton Thorpe, this book provides a detailed history of the American people, covering significant events and developments since the American Revolution. The work reflects the historical understanding and perspectives of the early 20th century.

In 'A Woman Like Me', Diane Abbott shares her remarkable journey from her childhood in 1960s North London as the daughter of Jamaican immigrants to her groundbreaking career as the first Black woman MP in the UK. The memoir offers a candid and humorous account of her experiences, highlighting her resilience in the face of racism and her tireless advocacy for social justice.