The Fountainhead Summary and Reviews

The Fountainhead
by Ayn Rand, Leonard Peikoff

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Book Summary Information

Author: Ayn Rand, Leonard Peikoff
Edition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1996-09-01
ISBN: 0451191153
Number of pages: 720
Publisher: Signet

Book Reviews of The Fountainhead

Book Review: "Just for fun"
Summary: 4 Stars

Rand's novel The Fountainhead is a philosophical work. In her philosophical novel, Rand uses Howard Roark, an architect, in order to advance her plot. However, it is important not to get caught up in the architecture because it is a story depicting a philosophy, more than just conflict between characters. Given the book is a philosophical work, the criterion by which it should be judged, differ from the criterion when reading a book "just for fun". Most importantly, the ideas presented in a philosophical work must stay consistent and must be easily understood. This novel should also give a convincing case through the means of its story. It should also be noted that the reader's personal beliefs will not matter when reading a book of philosophical orientation.
Rand's philosophy is presented in a clear manner throughout the novel. From the first chapter, Roark's unwillingness to compromise is presented. The philosophy however is more than simply do not compromise, but rather includes the reasoning and motives behind those thoughts. Roark refuses to compromise with the dean at the beginning of the novel because it would mean living for another person. Behind the motives we have the deeper meaning behind Rand's novel, and that is to say that each individual is most beneficial to society if and only if he lives solely for himself. This philosophy is clear for the whole of the story, assuming a general outcome is understood. Roark is presented as the hero and so long as he ends up on top, the philosophy is consistent. Naturally, at the end of the book, Roark stands symbolically atop the world, thus completing the uniformity of ideas presented in Rand's The Fountainhead.
Furthermore, the destiny of the other character's of The Fountainhead help deliver a convincing argument for Rand's philosophy. Ellsworth Toohey loses his job at the Banner. Peter Keating loses all of his once potent fame and money. And even Gail Wynand loses the battle he had to win: against the strike. All three of these men represented something different and impure in the way man should live life according to Rand. Toohey was "selfless", Keating wanted fame, and Wynand desired power. All three are wrong and lead one into a life of a "second-hander". A "second-hander" can most easily be described as a person living through the approval of others. According to Roark, the worst second-hander of all, is the one who seeks power.
When taking into account that the book was written fifty years ago, the philosophy of the book should not play a role in choosing whether or not to read it. If your are a selfish egotist, great; or a selfless individual, fantastic. From either perspective, new knowledge can be gained. The Fountainhead can help solidify a belief system already in place, or it can provide a gained perspective angle into life. Or, the book may be studied historically and understand that this is Rand's response to communism and collective thinking. Overall, the audience's personal beliefs will not factor into the importance and significance of reading such a book.
Ultimately, Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead was a well developed philosophical novel. For the reasons that it is well written, focused, and powerful, The Fountainhead should be read by everyone. On a personal note, I enjoyed reading not only the philosophy intertwined in the plot, but the plot itself as well. For anyone considering picking up this book, I would recommend it "just for fun" and as a knowledgeable piece of literature.

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