Author and Rand scholar, Mimi Gladstein, brings the novel sharply into focus in this "Twayne Masterworks" volume. She explores Rand's personal history and the development of her unique philosophy, and takes a look at the critical reception of "Atlas Shrugged" and the overall importance of the work. The second half of the study contains an in-depth summary of the plot and a breakdown of how it fits into several different genres (science fiction, mystery story, Arthurian romance), a detailed reading of every character, and a survey of many of Rand's major and minor themes in the book.