I Am John Galt

Inspired by Ayn Rand's characters in Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, penetrating profiles of both the innovators who move our world forward and those who seek to destroy the achievement of others John Galt, the fictional character from Ayn Rand's bestselling novel, Atlas Shrugged, has come to embody the individualist capitalist who acts in his own enlightened self interest, and in doing so lifts the world around him. Some of today's most successful CEOs, journalists, sports figures, actors, and thinkers have led their lives according to Galt's (i.e., Rand's) philosophy. Now, in I Am John Galt, these inspiring stories are gathered with the keen insight and analysis of well-known market commentator Donald Luskin and business writer Andrew Greta. Filled with exclusive interviews, profiles, and analyses of leading financial, business, and artistic stars who have based their lives, and careers, on the philosophy of the perennially popular Ayn Rand, this book both inspires and enlightens. On the other side are Rand's arch villains?the power-seekers, parasites, and lunatics who would destroy that which the creators and builders make. Who are today's anti-heroes, fighting the creativity of the innovators? Contains insightful interviews, profiles, and analyses of the individuals who have lived by a Randian code to achieve greatness for themselves and others Offers a probing analysis of those who seek to destroy or undo the achievements of others?from academics, pundits, and government bureaucrats to fraudsters who have wreaked havoc on our world Engaging and entertaining, I Am John Galt examines how the inspiration that is Galt thrives more than 50 years after publication of Atlas Shrugged. It will spark the interest of Ayn Rand fans everywhere, as well as those seeking a way to succeed in today's turbulent and confusing times.

Introduction 1 Chapter 1 The Individualist 17 Steve Jobs as Howard Roark, the man who reinvented four whole industries just because it was so cool By Andrew Greta Chapter 2 The Mad Collectivist 45 Paul Krugman as Ellsworth Toohey, the man who preaches socialism from the pages of America’s newspaper of record By Donald L. Luskin Chapter 3 The Leader 71 John Allison as John Galt, the man who walked away after building America's strongest bank By Donald L. Luskin Chapter 4 The Parasite 97 Angelo Mozilo as James Taggart, the businessman who corrupted government and nearly wrecked the U.S. economy By Andrew Greta Chapter 5 The Persecuted Titan 131 Bill Gates as Henry Rearden, the businessman who created revolutionary technologies and was criminalized for his success By Andrew Greta Chapter 6 The Central Planner 163 Barney Frank as Wesley Mouch, the politician who meddled in the economy and almost destroyed it By Andrew Greta Chapter 7 The Capitalist Champion 191 T. J. Rodgers as Francisco d'Anconia, the modern Renaissance man and agent provocateur for capitalism By Andrew Greta Chapter 8 The Sellout 219 Alan Greenspan as Robert Stadler, the libertarian who became an economic czar By Donald L. Luskin Chapter 9 The Economist of Liberty 239 Milton Friedman as Hugh Akston, the academic who showed the world the connection between capitalism and freedom By Andrew Greta & Donald L. Luskin Afterword 261 Notes 267 Acknowledgments 293 About the Authors 295 Index 297