Atlas Shrugged is a novel by Ayn Rand that delves into a dystopian United States where leading innovators, ranging from industrialists to artists, begin to mysteriously disappear. The story follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, as she battles against an increasingly oppressive government and a crumbling society. Throughout the novel, readers can explore themes of individualism, capitalism, and the role of the mind in human existence, making it a compelling read for those interested in philosophical and economic ideologies.