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Was she a feminine person?

In some ways she was. I told you about the bracelet. She was always very neat, but she didn't wear fancy clothes. She was a striking looking woman.

As I say, I liked her and still do. I miss her. I thought that she was one of the most interesting authors we've ever had. Again, a lot of people who disapproved of a lot of the books that we publish worshipped Ayn Rand; and any place that I go lecturing still, somebody is sure to pop up and say, “Tell me about Ayn Rand,” with adoration in their eyes. When she went up to talk at Harvard, the place was full of students who came to hoot but stayed to applaud. They weren't convinced by her, but they were impressed by her sincerity. This is a brilliant woman. It's a shame that these sycophants have, I think, absolutely ruined her. She could have been a very fine woman of influence in the right direction. She's not doing any real damage. Outside of her fanatical cult, nobody really strings along with her theory that religion and public relief are a sop and should be abolished.

Well, that's Ayn Rand--a very interesting episode in my life.

Then, in the fall of 1957, I published a book at Harper's. I haven't talked much about my own books and why I don't publish them myself, have I?