ACADEMIC REACTIONS

Dr John Hospers

“Dear Mr Dykes, I LOVE your book …. When I first opened it, little did I know that it would be a long paean to the strength and power of Ayn Rand's ideas.  Like her masterpiece Atlas Shrugged, it is a mystery novel in which the solution to the mystery depends on the reader's grasp of philosophical concepts.  I know of no other book which evokes the same qualities of excitement and  conviction.
            “I enjoyed every bit of the reading.  When Ayn Rand asked me early in our acquaintance that I liked most about Atlas, I replied, ‘the suspense.  It is a wonderful mystery novel, and you don't know the conclusion to the mystery until you read it’….
            “Your qualities of narration closely parallel those in Atlas, and kept me absorbed throughout…. Like Rearden in Atlas, Jac was the most vividly depicted character, and Nikolai the most philosophically satisfying (rather like Galt, except that Galt was more a symbol than a living human being ….)
            “Our disagreements are fewer than you might imagine, and meanwhile your novel was such an enjoyable experience, I took several days away from other activities just to complete it.  But it was well worth it – and as I page through it again, the incidents spring back into my mind with renewed vividness….
            “Your book was a very pleasant surprise.  It probably does more justice to Ayn Rand's actual views than any other book I am acquainted with…. For that, and for being an enthralling philosophical mystery story much along the lines of Atlas Shrugged, I would give it my highest recommendation.”

John Hospers, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, University of Southern California; author of Human Conduct, An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis, Libertarianism,and many other books and articles on philosophy; first Presidential Candidate of the United States Libertarian Party

Professor Anthony O’Hear

“Astonishing in this time of ever-increasing collectivism to find such a bracing draught of Randianism emanating from Britain. Even for those (such as myself) who are not persuaded by everything contained in Old Nick's Guide to Happiness, reading it will (in the true sense) challenge pre-conceptions and prejudices, many of which need to be challenged. And the medicine, for that is what it may well be, is wrapped up in an engaging mystery.”

Anthony O'Hear, Professor of Philosophy, University of Buckingham, England

Professor Larry Sechrest

“This is a very good book indeed.  A major accomplishment …. The plot and characters are engrossing.  These are real people, not cardboard cutouts, not flawless robots, but people.  There is adventure and danger as well as warm affection and gentle eroticism…. The manuscript abounds with lively descriptions that transport the reader to the locales....
          “The philosophical dialogues are a most entertaining way to present such radical ideas… very persuasive.  Positively splendid commentary on both Marx and Popper, absolutely on target! 
          “Personally, I found the book quite inspiring, it gave a little spring to my step.  I thought to myself, ‘Damn, he's right, it can be done!’  The book really is triumphant in its tone and message.”
Larry J. Sechrest Ph.D, Professor of Economics, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas

Dr Bruce Benson

“This is a great book for someone like me who is vaguely familiar with some  philosophers and their writings, but who really does not understand the different philosophical approaches and the problems with them. I have to say that I have learned more about philosophy and well known philosophers reading this book than I ever knew before…. It has cleared up a lot of my misunderstandings, confirmed some of my perceptions, and informed me about much that I was not aware of…. Finally, it has done so in an interesting way.  It is very well written, and it integrates the philosophy material into an interesting story that draws the reader on, both to learn more and to find out what happens to the interesting characters….  I thought the character development was very good …. I enjoyed it front to back…. a fun read and I learned a lot from it.”
Bruce L. Benson, Chair, Department of Economics, DeVoe Moore and Distinguished Research Professor, Courtesy Professor of Law Florida State University, Tallahassee

Dr Patrick Minford

“Nicholas, I have read your book and much enjoyed it.  I do congratulate you on it.  I enjoyed the story and I found the discussions of philosophy most interesting.  Most of all the discussion of the state was very well done ....
Points well taken, and I hadn't known of the anthropological work. “The practical question is how one reduces the state; prising things from its grasp requires huge ingenuity and commitment .... Changing it requires public understanding; and your book is a great start with that!”

Patrick Minford, Professor of Economics, Cardiff Business School, former economic advisor to UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher