Bill to force students to read Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged

A Republican state senator has introduced legislation that would require high school students to read Ayn Rand’s 1957 novel, Atlas Shrugged, before graduating.

John Goedde, chairman of Idaho’s Senate Education Committee, said the novel that’s become must-read material for libertarians could stimulate lively debate in high schools. He also credited the book for turning his son, Brian, into a Republican.

The committee agreed to introduce the bill, but Mr Goedde says he has no intention of moving it along, explaining he did it partially in jest and out of frustration over voters rejecting online course requirements last autumn.