The results are in. Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead have been named the two best novels, respectively, of the 20th century in the Modern Library readers' poll.
     The readers' poll, following in the wake of the controversial Modern Library list of the 100 best novels of the century, allowed readers to vote via the Internet for the best book of the century. The highly criticized Modern Library list, chosen by a panel of writers, editors and literary experts, cited James Joyce's Ulysses as the best novel of the century. The panel did not include any of Miss Rand's four novels on its list.
     "The readers' poll mirrors the history of Ayn Rand's books. They have always been more popular with readers than with critics and supposed literary experts," said Michael S. Berliner, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute (ARI), which was founded to promote Miss Rand's philosophy of Objectivism.
     "It just confirms that readers are looking for novels that are heroic, inspirational and portray man as able to achieve his values on earth," Berliner added.
     Ayn Rand's two other novels were also in the top 100 by readers. Anthem and We the Living finished seventh and eighth, respectively. Atlas Shrugged, first published in 1957, and The Fountainhead, first published in 1943, each continue to sell more than 100,000 copies per year and have never been out of print.