You're probably thinking what I thought when I first looked at this book: "Selfishness is good? How could that be after what just transpired in 2008?" Through a series of essays, you will be presented with an objective definition of selfishness, and reasons why it is moral. I read this book in 2010 after hearing about the resurgence of Ayn Rand's ideas during the financial crisis. I had just finished Howard Zinn's and Noam Chomsky's political works and wanted to learn the source of the ideas of the political right so I could shut my right wing friends and colleagues up with solid refutations of their underlying principles. This book wasn't what I expected. Many of the principles laid out in this book aren't even embraced by the right. Some are, some by lip service, but many aren't. Despite what you've heard about Rand, I encourage you to learn of her ideas first hand and judge/refute them for yourself.

Total crap

yup.. be selfish to the point you hurt others..

I have read almost all of Rand's works and would suggest that you start with this piece. I highly recommend that you read this and see how applicable it is in today's political-economic interactions.