The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, Leonard Peikoff Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Fountainhead
Book Review: A Book for Non-Conformists
Summary: 5 Stars
Ok, I'll admit it; I first picked up The Fountainhead because I needed to read it for a scholarship program. But, as I got further into the book, I realized that I really enjoyed it. This book is one of the most philosophical I have ever read; the reader really has to think about what Ayn Rand is really trying to say. Her message, among others, is: Don't conform. After reading The Fountainhead, I reassessed my life and I have now completely changed my goals. This book helped me to realize what I really wanted from life, not what society wants me to have. A great read!Book Review: A Brilliant Novel of Intellectual and Creative Freedom
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Fountainhead" is a wonderful novel--don't be put off by its length, every page is worth reading! Although, beginning Randians may want to start out with "Anthem" before reading "The Fountainhead". This novel is perfect for anyone interested in politics, philosophy, architecture, or the freedom of the human spirit. Compare the novel to its pathetic movie adaptation--Rand really sold out by letting her seminal work be butchered the way it was by the film industry. Anyone interested in reading other works about freedom of thought (and freedom from the enslavement of orthodox religion) should read WILLIAM BLAKE--particularly "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell", "Milton" and "The Four Zoas". He writes about the need to free Man's 'Creative Genius' and advocates that each individual create his/her own belief system.Book Review: A Brilliant Refute to the Collectivism that Plagues America
Summary: 5 Stars
The Fountainhead truely captures the essence of capitalism that the founders of America held so dear. The hero of the novel, Howard Roark, exemplifies the spirit of the self and capitalism. The ideal he holds dear is living life for oneself. Roark says in a trial summation "His [man's] vision, his strength, his courage came from his own spirit. A man's spirit, however, is his self." Roark struggles in a mindless society where humans give their souls to anyone. The villain is Ellsworth Toohey, a man who feeds off the weak-minded. His true ambition is to control the minds and souls of people so he will be projected to the forefront of society. He preaches theorys of altruism and collectivism which place him at the top of civilization. Rand uses Roark to refute the communistic philosophy that destroys man's self. Roark stands against the illogical notion of communism that overtook pre and post World War II Europe and Asia. The ideas of socialistic practices have penetrated the minds of Americans and they will be a crucial step towards forfeiting or preserving freedom. Roark tries to make this clear for the people who still have a chance at living life for themselves.Book Review: A Celebration of Human Spirit & Heroism!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Fountainhead is one of the greatest novels in world literature, tells of the desperate battle waged by architect Howard Roark, whose genius and integrity were as unyielding as granite.... Of Dominique Francon, the exquisitely beautiful woman who loved Roark passionately but married his worst enemy.... Of fanatic hatred and denunciation unleashed by an enraged society against a great innovator. It poses one of the most challenging ideas ever presented in a work of fiction- that man's ego is the fountainhead of human progress. Nearly 60 years ago, the book created a public furor and a worldwide interest in its brilliant author. It is the story of a gifted young architect, his violent battle against conventional standards, and his explosive affair with a beautiful woman who struggled to defeat him. Ayn Rand's daringly original philosophy, Objectivism presented through this book is indeed most ingenious and radical ideas ever provided in modern literature. It tells the story of what an ideal man should be befittingly epitomized by Roark, who is dismissed from a premier college due to his non-conformist work, who has to face myriad barricades posed by the 'Moral Watch-Dogs' of the society, who conquers all odds and shows the world that second-hand knowledge is worthless- that a man should manifest some originality in his life so that unfathomable progress of mankind transpires, leading to a brave new world. The character of Peter Keating describes the man who borrows intelligence from repository, and wins people's hearts by his relentless sycophancy- only to lose his soul in the bargain. The novel explicates Gail Wynand the opulent & omnipotent Newspaper Baron as the 'man who might have been'- who is in the fallacious belief that he controls the whole world, but realizes that he can manipulate men only as long he satisfies their desires. And finally the enduring character of Ellsworth Toohey as 'the man who can never be'-noted economist, noted social worker, noted-everything, who caters to the people's desideratum and exploits it to his advantage and nearly succeeds in becoming the undisputed ruler of the world. The novel tackles the interminable problem of the world's vilipend of an innovator's new creation- right from fire to the wheel. Against such Machiavellian actions, Rand advocates 'Selfishness' as the only weapon that can save originality from total destruction. By and large the best novel written to date! A celebration of human heroism and glory.Book Review: A Celebration of Human Spirit & Heroism!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Fountainhead is one of the greatest novels in world literature, tells of the desperate battle waged by architect Howard Roark, whose genius and integrity were as unyielding as granite.... Of Dominique Francon, the exquisitely beautiful woman who loved Roark passionately but married his worst enemy.... Of fanatic hatred and denunciation unleashed by an enraged society against a great innovator. It poses one of the most challenging ideas ever presented in a work of fiction- that man's ego is the fountainhead of human progress. Nearly 60 years ago, the book created a public furor and a worldwide interest in its brilliant author. It is the story of a gifted young architect, his violent battle against conventional standards, and his explosive affair with a beautiful woman who struggled to defeat him. Ayn Rand's daringly original philosophy, Objectivism presented through this book is indeed most ingenious and radical ideas ever provided in modern literature. It tells the story of what an ideal man should be befittingly epitomized by Roark, who is dismissed from a premier college due to his non-conformist work, who has to face myriad barricades posed by the 'Moral Watch-Dogs' of the society, who conquers all odds and shows the world that second-hand knowledge is worthless- that a man should manifest some originality in his life so that unfathomable progress of mankind transpires, leading to a brave new world. The character of Peter Keating describes the man who borrows intelligence from repository, and wins people's hearts by his relentless sycophancy- only to lose his soul in the bargain. The novel explicates Gail Wynand the opulent & omnipotent Newspaper Baron as the 'man who might have been'- who is in the fallacious belief that he controls the whole world, but realizes that he can manipulate men only as long he satisfies their desires. And finally the enduring character of Ellsworth Toohey as 'the man who can never be'-noted economist, noted social worker, noted-everything, who caters to the people's desideratum and exploits it to his advantage and nearly succeeds in becoming the undisputed ruler of the world. The novel tackles the interminable problem of the world's vilipend of an innovator's new creation- right from fire to the wheel. Against such Machiavellian actions, Rand advocates 'Selfishness' as the only weapon that can save originality from total destruction. By and large the best novel written to date! A celebration of human heroism and glory.