Rating: 
Summary: Overrated, anyone?
Review: The Fountainhead's enduring popularity remains a mystery to me. Really, this novel is a fairly standard romance with a lot of heavy-handed philosophy thrown in. Howard Roark's rugged individualist shtick isn't anything we haven't seen before in other novels. Sorry, folks, but this novel is absolutely not what it's cracked up to be.
Rating: 
Summary: Ayn Rand's Best Literature
Review: Although "Atlas Shrugged" contains a broader and more detailed look at Objectivism, this book benefits from not having such a burden placed upon it. Where "Atlas" gets bogged down with lengthy philosophical statements and never gets some of it's main characters developed (in some ways we still wonder "who is John Galt?"), this book is a more complete work. Don't get me wrong, "Atlas" gives great insights and is possibly a more important philosophical work. The Fountainhead, however, is a completely woven literary tapestry and one that can fully be enjoyed on that level.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, philosophically challenging novel
Review: This novel is like a drug. It's so good, no matter how much of it you read, when you put it down you feel the pull. It lures you back. It's just that good.Rather than simply telling a story, Ayn Rand wraps her tale around an overarching philosophy -- Objectivism, her own creation. This basically revolves around self-interest, occupying yourself with your own affairs and nobody else's, and preserving your integrity at all costs. It seems that Rand carries this through to its illogical conclusion; she rejects any act of altruism as evil, for example, yet freely acknowledges that some people are born to succeed as individualists (Roark) while others are born to fail (Keating). Whatever you think of her philosophy, this is a great story; who would have thought the architectural profession could be so exciting and dynamic? The central conflict is Roark vs. the world, and it's inspiring to see how he fights against incredible odds. Once one understands Roark, what motivates him, and how he thinks, it becomes easier to understand his struggle. This is a good book -- lots to think about. Nobody should go through life without reading it and thinking about what Rand has to say. Read it!
Rating:
Summary: My favorite
Review: This is favorite book of all time. I can read it over and over. It is always a pleasure to spend time with Howard Roark and the world "as it can be and ought to be".
Rating:
Summary: Profound
Review: Those that love this novel fall into two groups: 1) Individualists and 2) People who see little or no philosophical message in Rand's writing (almost unbelievable to consider, yet...) Those that hate this novel fall into a single, huddling mass: Socialists. The Fountainhead is clearly philosophical in nature, and in that, it deals with ideals. To criticize this book for being expressed in idealistic terms is like criticizing "Saving Pvt. Ryan" for being violent or "The Brothers Karamazov" for being dark. Accordingly, Rand's heroes directly represent those ideals and can appear transparent; her supporting characters, however, are anything but. The insight she gives into human motivation is grossly under-appreciated. The story itself flows and its prose is impossibly beautiful at times. You will, most likely, be captivated. Read this book without prejudice; it is profound.
Rating:
Summary: Written by a fanatic
Review: I have to hand it to Ayn Rand; the book consumed me while I read it. She espouses individuality and artistic freedoms over classical reproductions and socialism. The book is rich with metaphor, concepts and philosophy. Her characters are one-dimensional stereotypes that could be viewed as ideas, not as human beings. I found her depictions of anyone who needs a helping hand in society, as useless, less than human, unfit to take up space in the universe, to be extremely disturbing. Her glorification of rape, and her masochistic female characters saddened me. Ayn Rand was so fanatical in her beliefs that she neglected to present any problems with her point of view. She makes a powerful case for capitalism and individualism. Take what you like from it and forget the rest.
Rating:
Summary: Egotism, no Arrogance
Review: The Fountainhead is the story of Howard Roark, a young architect with a unique talent and a profound ideology. Through encouters with plotting competitors, deceitful journalists, and corrupt businessmen, Howard works tenaciously and artistically to eventually succeed in his own way. Ayn Rand displays her captivating writing style in this novel about hte true value of the ego. Individuality is emphasized in the originality of the story line and plot, which is extremely paradoxical and is exemplified through character interaction. A mirror structue establishes this work as a reflection of society's weaknesses and potentials, which serves to further its theme of paradox. Ms. Rand has created a great work which accents the inportance of belief in one's self derived from inner confidence, rather than from superficial success. As Howard Roark said, "Man's first duty is to himself...this includes the whole sphere of his creative faculty..."
Rating:
Summary: The fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Review: It is a very explorative book, and probably would have been controversial in the era that Ayn Rand wrote it. It deeply touvhes everyone who reads it, for they can relate to at least one of the characters. I don't consider anyone to have read a good book unless they have read this one.
Rating:
Summary: PROBABLY THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is the kind of book that will change your life and one that you will always remember. It will make you a better person. I would recommend it to anyone. It is long, but well worth it. I was sorry when I was finished reading it and closed the cover for the last time. The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged are the kind of books everyone should read at least once in their life times. I plan to read it again in a few years.
Rating: 
Summary: good for strengthening perspectives
Review: a tale enacting the loss of independence/spirit in our culture. where just any job will complete the task so long as it's what's always been done. not as widely applicable as atlas shrugged was as it has a lot to do with promoting man and his dominion of the earth. if we all worked exactly as HR did than there would be even less of a viable planet than there is today. but there is a lot to take and apply to certain parts of life. worth the read.
| 
