Rating: 
Summary: Definately a book for thinkers..
Review: Before I started reading the book, I had watched the movie version. Since I have taken both in account, I really can appreciate Rand's philosophical views. This book is not for people who are used to a quick pace and thoughtless plots. This book is for people who are interested in philosophy or thought-provoking reading and doesn't mind 727 pages. I know a few readers went into detail about the basis of the book so I won't bore you with the details; but if you want someone who appreciates good, classic writing, this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Content and Ideas contained within not for everyone
Review: If you are looking for a book of "suspense," as one reviewer here mentioned and subsequently gave the book a horrible review, then I recommend visiting the aisle where the mediocre drivel of John Grisham, et al is placed. The Fountainhead is simply the best book I have ever read. So many readers here have told you what it *is* about, so let me tell you what it is *not.* The Fountainhead is not a feel-good book meant to make you feel all warm & fuzzy inside. (Buy Harry Potter if that is your mentality.) It is not about the status quo and going along with popular politics/opinion in order to get ahead. It is not your typical novel that was dumbed down so American readers can "get it." In fact, if you don't get what the book is all about, then perhaps that is a good thing. Quite simply, if you are looking for a book to take along to the beach then skip The Fountainhead. If -on the other hand- you are looking to stretch your brain and deviate from the usual, mass produced, mass sexualized, mass dumbed-downess of an ever encroaching Disney-inspired, American mentality, then do yourself a favor and read Ayn Rand. *Any* Ayn Rand.
Rating:
Summary: Thought Prevoking!
Review: Ann Rand really speaks her mind in this book! Whether you aggree or disaggree, it will definately make you rethink your tenants!
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous - one of my alltime favorites!
Review: I absolutely loved this book, and I'm thinking that I'm going to love the other Rand books I have yet to read. This book is quite philosophical, so you are looking for a beach read, mystery, or simple romance, look elsewhere. It is not for everyone, but if you read the first few pages, you will probably either find yourself hooked, or put it away fairly quickly. I was supposed to read this book as part of a special program in the third grade, but I'm very glad that I didn't, I probably would not have understood even a tenth of it. The theme of the book is fairly serious, and as I mentioned before, very philosophical, so I doubt I would have gotten the full meaning back then. It's a huge book, but I spent every spare minute I had reading it, and it just took me a couple of days. It is a wonderful book and provides a very insightful look into the human spirit in its various forms, and how it can either shape or be shaped by society. I already have my copy of Atlas Shrugged, and will undoubtedly be reading it soon. If you are a fan of Ayn Rand's books, don't miss this one! If you're not, you probably won't like this one either.
Rating:
Summary: The originator is not for popular entertainment
Review: If you want to read this book only to entertain yourselves then this book will not serve you. If you are traditional and like the idea of following what your previous generations have done and followed and treat them with awe or consider them respect without reasoning them out then this book will help you an encounter with a totally opposite realm of ideas. I will not say that it will be interesting to you. It is either possible that you undergo a paradigm shift or you hate the ideas presented in the book and write up a review loathing what is presented in the book. If you are moderate and do not have strong conviction on any idea then you may find the book whimsically nice and not pragmatic. And if you are the person who does not believe in tradition, culture or anything for that matter except reason then this book is a must read. If you are an architect irrespective of what genre you belong to it will serve you better to read this book. The philosophy of the book is simple but strong. Just by virtue of the fact that man is born in a society it should not mean that he is a slave of the society by blindly accepting whatever the society thrusts on him or his ideas. He or she should think for himself and have his/her own convictions on things. An illustrious point can be, just by virtue of your being born to your parents, it should not mean that you should learn the subjects your parents choose for you or marry
the girl/boy your parents choose for you, and so on... The individual should live for himself; he should have his own ideas; he should do things for himself. Only if there are such individuals can a society improve. The words selfishness, egotism and collectivism used the book are in a subtler sense and do not carry the popular meaning and have to be understood from the context. Even in this age when team-work is the word of the day the ideas presented
in the book will still hold good, for without individuals who can stand their ground there cannot be a good team. The denunciation of collectivism is only in the spirit of saying that "too many cooks spoil the broth". I feel that the plot and the characters in the book have been fastidiously built to bring out the philosophy of Ayn Rand which pitchforks individualism and reason to the top of all ideas and beliefs.
Rating: 
Summary: A powerful book
Review: What's philosophy? Its most often a truth which is relevant within a range, taken out of its context , blown out of proportion to fit into all aspects of life and given a name.There is a certain amount of seductiveness to all philosophical schools.When you read them you tend to fall into the trap, atleast momentarily and Fountainhead is no exception.
Well here the truth is world can be divided into two camps.The geniuses who are often ridiculed, but who form the pillars of civilization and the second raters who live through their lives sucking through the efforts of the former.The name given to this brand is "Objectivism".
Two characters Howard Roark, representing the genius camp and Ellsworth Toohy representing the later , Peter Keating an example of traditional orthodox brilliance , and an enigmatic Dominique make up the story.Architecture is the leitmotiv.While Keating tends to see it the traditional conformist way, the genius in Roark tends to see through the phoniness in most of traditional architecture.His designs tend to be radical and because of the same find little acceptance among his
contemporaries.Fiercly individualistic he persists with his ideas.Ellsworth Toohy is the second rater who exploits the talents of the first raters.
The concept is heavy and writing is sometimes inconsistent and incoherent.The literary quality is way below other philosophical novels like "Crime and Punishment", for example.But inspite of the novel's shortcomings you cannot but help get influenced and moved by its power.And this is exactly where Ayn Rand triumphs.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: Any thinker who is concerned about the future of the "free market" should certainly read this book. The story is great and the message is timeless. Its the single most influential book i've ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: I couldn't relate
Review: I would not recommend Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead to anyone looking for the remotest form of suspense. The reader is kept waiting for 700 pages for some sort of climax which never materializes. The plot is based on archetitcure and one man's journey in life told through this perspective. I could not relate to this book at all because of this.
The novel is supposed to have the hidden morals of life, and it does to some extent. Ayn Rand does a beautiful job developing her characters. The reader can see different aspects of society through each different character and their interactions with others. I, however, could not personally relate to any one of these characters. This hinders my perception and opinion of the novel.
Overall, The Fountainhead is a wonderfully written novel which was very planned and thought out before Ayn Rand began the writing of the actual novel. I would recommend this novel to anyone who has enough time to read large novels and who doesn't mind the lack of suspense found in this novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Strawman Philosophy
Review: From the first fifty pages of the book, it becomes obvious both what Rand's politics (regardless what you may think about them) and how she will promote them. Specifically with obsurd liberal/leftist sterotypes that allow her to push over. From the professor at the books start who promotes the absolute perfection of the "classics", to a "liberal" populus who aparently accepts no deviation from the status quo, this book is an exercise in strawman politics.
Rating:
Summary: Censorship Awaits this book in the new America
Review: Given this new post 9.11 America, where it is considered "treasonous" (according to A.G. John Ashcroft) to dissent with anything the federal government is doing, I'm surprised this book has not yet been banned since it promotes the individual *over* the collective, (...) I recommend reading this book just to (bother) the government.
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