The Objectivist’s Guide to the Galaxy—Answers to the Ultimate Questions of Life, the Universe, and Everything: Received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Zoltan Cendes.
- What is the name of the book and when was it published? The Objectivist’s Guide to the Galaxy—Answers to the Ultimate Questions of Life, the Universe, and Everything. It was published on June 17, 2025.
2. What’s the book’s first line? Forty-two. That’s the answer to “The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything” provided in the book The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, published by Douglas Adams in 1979.
3. What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”. The book provides real answers to life’s ultimate questions. Questions such as “Why is there something rather than nothing?”, “What are concepts?”, “Are scientific laws certain?”, “How does my brain work?”, and “What is the purpose of art?” The answers are derived using logic and the scientific method.
4. What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event? The book is an outgrowth of many discussions I’ve had through the years with various thinkers, philosophers, and scientists. My conversations would often meander—too often we would both go off track. I decided to write the book for both my own benefit and for the reader’s benefit. From my own point of view, I wanted to get the logic and the facts right. From the reader’s point of view, I wanted to explain the scientific basis of philosophy.
5. What’s the main reason someone should really read this book? To feel that “Ah ha!” moment. To think, “I now understand how the world works! I understand the answers to life’s ultimate questions!”
6. When did you first decide to become an author? I decided to become an author about five years ago. I wrote several drafts before deciding on the “42 questions and answers” format of the book.
7. Is this the first book you’ve written? Yes, but I have a second book in progress.
8. What do you do for work when you’re not writing? I’m a retired engineer so I spend most of my time with activities such as golf and boating but dabble at times with mathematical concepts.
9. How much time do you generally spend on your writing? Typically two to four hours a day, primarily in the morning.
10. Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why? No. I like the idea of being in control of my book. In addition, I was very pleased with the quality and professionalism I experienced with Scribe Media.
11. Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?) My main motivation is trying to understand the universe. I am constantly thinking about ideas from engineering, from science, and from philosophy. I am happiest when thinking. I’ve received rewards for thinking—I made a lot of money by founding a company based on my thoughts—but I view the money and fame from my company as a reward, not as a primary motivation.
12. Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire? Ayn Rand.
13. Which book do you wish you could have written? Atlas Shrugged. This is a wish but an unrealistic one because Atlas Shrugged is so unique. No one will ever write a book that lays out a new, existence-based philosophy now that Rand has done it.