Persuaded by Reason: Joan Kennedy Taylor and the Rebirth of American Individualism

Joan Kennedy Taylor-author, editor, actress, radio commentator, libertarian feminist-studied with Gurdjieff, dated Allen Ginsberg, had a long friendship with Ayn Rand, and along with her husband David Dawson, was instrumental in ending the draft. What could possibly tie together such disparate personalities and interests? The answer lies in one word-individualism.

Jeff Riggenbach thematically intertwines her encounters with the political and intellectual events of the time, revealing how Taylor's work, writings and behind-the-scenes contributions helped shape the rise of individualism in the late twentieth century. A must read for anyone interested in how the individualist and libertarian movements were formed out of the ferment of the post WWII era.