by Leonard Peikoff

(Recorded February 5, 2005)

In this delightful presentation Leonard Peikoff recounts a variety of anecdotes, both serious and humorous, from his longtime association with Ayn Rand and her husband, Frank O’Connor. Dr. Peikoff reminisces about (for example) her advice to him on judging one’s self-esteem objectively; the O’Connors’ New Year’s Eve custom; the purposeful "Alfred Hitchcock touch" in Atlas Shrugged; her very favorite scenes in Atlas and The Fountainhead; the "double talk" comedy skit beloved of Ayn Rand; some of her favorite film actors and television programs; her writing of Galt’s speech; and the reunion between Ayn Rand and her sister Nora, who had remained in the Soviet Union.

Part monologue, part question period, this presentation was recorded live at a 2005 banquet commemorating the centenary of Ayn Rand’s birth.

(Audio CD; 76 min., with Q & A)