Much of the material consists of excerpts from Rand's novels, supplemented by a long title essay that focuses on the history of philosophy.

Starting from the mid-1930s, Russian-American author Ayn Rand had worked as a writer of fiction, including plays, screenplays, and novels.

The last is a statement of Rand's philosophy as it existed at the time of writing The Fountainhead, and is a testimony to the human spirit expressed in individual invention and achievement.

A "Witch Doctor" is someone (often a philosopher, religious person, or other type of intellectual) who has used the written or spoken word to persuade people to go against their rational minds, often to the advantage of the "Attila" who is currently in power.

[3] In The New York Times Book Review, the philosopher Sidney Hook called it a "unique combination of tautology and extravagant absurdity".

[7] The historian James T. Baker said the essay "represents Rand's first step from fiction to public philosophy",[8] and called the view of history it presents "intriguing and creative if a bit fantastic".