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My good friend John Lewis died this morning having battled cancer relentlessly, and I want to say a few words here about his life.

John was one of the greatest men I’ve ever known. A husband, historian, writer, speaker, professor, musician, and friend, he pursued his values with awe-inspiring passion.

He cherished his lovely wife, Casey, and always beamed in her presence, as she did in his. My heart goes out to Casey; her loss is the greatest of all.

When John was in his 40s, he decided to change his career from businessman to intellectual. He proceeded to earn a PhD in classics from Cambridge and to achieve masterful knowledge of the history of Ancient Greece and of military history in general, which he integrated with rational philosophy thus achieving what few historians do: an understanding not only of what happened, but also of why it happened. His book and essays on the causes of war and the requirements of victory are surely the most profound ever written.

He spoke at Objectivist conferences and Tea Party events, where his courses and lectures were always among the most popular, insightful, and inspiring. He also spoke on the morality of free markets in medicine and the need to get the government out of the way so that innovators can innovate. I suspect that, had markets been free, he would still be alive.

John taught at Duke, where his primary message to students was that their minds are efficacious; that they can acquire knowledge of the world, including historical and moral truth; that they can achieve their dreams if they are willing to think and work; and that their lives are theirs to live and enjoy.

He played the drums, loved jazz, and revered precision and clarity in music, as he did in thought and communication.

And he gave me, and all of his friends, the joy of great conversation, great camaraderie, and the most valuable thing anyone can give another: an example of how to live passionately.

While I was visiting John over the holidays, he said to me that his death was of no concern to him. He did not mean that he didn’t care whether he died—on the contrary, he wanted desperately to live. What he meant was that the only thing one should concern oneself with is living and loving life. That is what John did. He lived life fully until he could live no more.

I embrace and will continue to embrace his example. I will concern myself only with living and loving life. But I loved John immensely, and I will miss him as much as I loved him. He is my hero.

“A friend gave me a subscription to The Objective Standard, saying he thought I’d appreciate the articles. He underestimated! I find the articles in TOS fascinating, clarifying, and often inspiring. I love this journal.”

—Brad C.

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TOS is the only publication that identifies the root causes of the problems we face and offers corresponding solutions.

Why did Obamacare become law, and what must be done to stop such evil in the future? Read “Moral Health Care vs. ‘Universal Health Care’” and “A Prescription for America’s Health Care Ills.”

What caused the financial crisis, and what must we do to get out of this mess? Read “Altruism: The Moral Root of the Financial Crisis” and “The Morality of Moneylending: A Short History.”

Why have Republicans failed to move America toward a free republic, and what must change in order for them to stop acting like Democrats? Read “Obama’s Atomic Bomb: The Ideological Clarity of the Democratic Agenda” and “Capitalism and the Moral High Ground.”

TOS clarifies, concretizes, and applies the fundamental principles on which freedom and prosperity depend. This journal equips you to advocate and protect your liberty effectively. What could be more valuable than that?

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Image: Wikipedia Commons

“A friend gave me a subscription to The Objective Standard, saying he thought I’d appreciate the articles. He underestimated! I find the articles in TOS fascinating, clarifying, and often inspiring. I love this journal.”  —Brad C.

Might your friends or family appreciateTOS? If so, the Fall 2011 issue—with a feature article on Ayn Rand’s theory of rights—is a great issue with which to begin their enlightenment.

Gift subscriptions start at just $29 and are available in Print, E-Book, Kindle, and Audio (mp3) editions to meet today’s various lifestyles.

Three quick and easy ways to place gift orders:

1. Order online by clicking here.
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3. Or call us toll free at 800-423-6151.

• First Place, winning $2,000 and publication of his essay in TOS: Antonio Puglielli, “‘Dog Benefits Dog’: The Harmony of Rational Men’s Interests”
• Second Place, winning $750: Caleb Nelson, “The Rational Man”
• Third Place, winning $300: Deborah B. Sloan, “Atlas Shrugged and the Brotherhood of Self Interest”

Congratulations to Mr. Puglielli, Mr. Nelson, and Ms. Sloan!

Mr. Puglielli’s essay will be published in the forthcoming issue of TOS.