Includes bibliographic reference and index

After an informative introduction and a brief biography of the Russian émigrée who went on to celebrate and defend her vision of the American way of life, each chapter of this Companion focuses on a different aspect of the philosophy she developed, or on a selection of her writings. Several chapters tackle her views on ethics and the metaphysical and epistemological foundations of her philosophy. Others examine Rand's thoughts on political theory, her approach to literature (as both theorist and author), and her acute analysis of contemporary events. Taken together, the chapters provide insight into Rand's distinctive worldview, offering a holistic approach to her body of work in relation to the fields she influenced. This publication provides a thorough, scholarly grounding in Rand's varied and highly original work, offering the most wide-ranging and up-to-date survey available. -- from back cover.