Ayn Rand and Leonard (AFT) Peikoff - Fountainhead

Pros: None.

Cons: The characters, the philosophy, the monologues.

Review: I cannot believe I am writing two book reviews in a row on books I do not like, but this one I certainly could have passed on. The only good things about it are that it was abridged and I was listening to it on tape going to and from work.

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Pros: inspiring

Cons: long for people who are not avid readers

Review: Ayn Rand caught my interest as a junior in high school and has been a favorite of mine from then on. I was required to read Anthem in school. As soon as I finished I read every Ayn Rand book I could find. The Fountainhead is the best of Rand. She...

Pros: all

Cons: none

Review: Ayn Rand is the best author that I've ever read. The ideas that she lays out not only in The Fountainhead but also in Atlas Shrugged are some of the most challenging ideas ever put in print. To think of man as something to exalt and to think that...

Pros: Style, Plot, Storyline, Commentary on Society

Cons: Sometimes lengthy monologues, can beat her philosophy into the ground

Review: Like Ghostwriter, I completely disagree with najdorf. Ayn Rand writes a phenomenal novel, using an interesting storyline to illustrate her philosophy. The character development is outstanding. I truly felt that I knew exactly who Howard Roark was...

Pros: Theme, Characterization, Plot

Cons: None

Review: The Fountainhead was published in 1943, 14 years before Ayn Rand's masterpiece, and is equally spectacular. The Fountainhead follows the career of Howard Roark, beginning with the line "Howard Roark Laughed", upon his expulsion...

Pros: Wonderful fiction and an intriguing philosophy.

Cons: Heavily steeped in Objectivism, beware if this isn't your cup of tea.

Review: "Fountainhead" in one of the most successful integrations of fiction and philosophy in literature. It is a literary manifestation of Rand's concept of Objectivism, and it's purpose is to tie this philosophy to a concrete example and champion, Howard...

Pros: Fascinating characters, social/political commentary.

Cons: Social/political commentary can get tiring after a while...

Review: While my reading habits tend toward science fiction and fantasy, I generally try to mix in a smattering of non-fiction and "literature". Having heard a little of Ayn Rand and her popular and controversial social and political theories, I decided to...

Pros: Impresses the art-house girls

Cons: Those people will think you are one of them

Review: Ostensibly an anthem for humanists gathering under the banner of "Objectivism", The Fountainhead tells the parallel tale of two men. The first, Howard Roark, is a strong-willed individualistic genius architect who avoids any semblance of...

Pros:

A vital novel with enduring philosophies.

Cons: In The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand's descriptive techniques are often sparse and unfulfilling.

The Bottom Line: I recommend The Fountainhead as a readable novel with compelling ideas.

Review: I see The Fountainhead has drawn quite a few reviews, so rather than writing a general review, I'll share some comments on Ayn Rand's writing techniques.

There's something to be learned from reading just about any novel. This is certainly...

Pros: Very solid look into the heart of Objectivism.

Cons: Often dull throughout the storyline.

The Bottom Line: The Fountainhead will open your eyes to a new level of looking at the world around you. Read it, and be shocked.

Review: The Fountainhead is the story of Howard Roark who, despite the world, holds firm to his beliefs to the very end. The Fountainhead directly contrasts Roark to his old classmate Peter Keating, an exemplary "second-hander" whose existence relies solely...