Rating: Summary: Absolutely Wonderful Review: I would recommend this book very highly. I found it to be a refreshing and wonderful view on the human spirit.
Rating: Summary: - Review: However spectacular this novel is, the fact remains that it is not a novel. It is propoganda.
Rating: Summary: Love it or hate it--it is what it is. Review: Ayn Rand is a gifted storyteller. This is apparent in the first twenty pages. It is an extremely engaging book with phenomenal characterization and it weaves an interconnected plot which rivets the attention of the reader like few other books can do. However---the enjoyment of the book is contingent upon the reader's philosophical leanings. It is, at heart, a philosophical novel, but perhaps one of the best (with the exception of Tolstoy) to erect a philosophical system while keeping the reader fascinated with the characterization. The final question remains at the end of the book---did I like what Rand said? For me the answer was unequivocally "no." Often downright polemical, the book extolls the virtues of the individual will to power. I am with Rand all the way on the individual will to power, as, like her, I believe it accounts for the evolutionary progress of mankind. However, the characters representing her philosophies sometimes take on the qualities of caricatures, almost surreal in their embodiment of the ideas Rand has designated them to symbolize. The Fountainhead reveals Rand's fear of the mob, the herds of humanity and their petty desires and motivations. It champions the spirit of egotism, the rigorous adherence to one's own drives. But it does so in a way which leaves a bad taste in the mouth of anyone who has ever felt a sense of connection with their fellow human beings. Unfortunately, it is Rand's political ideology which has put the US in the current position it is in. 1% of the population controls the majority of its wealth. And hand in hand with the domination of capital come the other "isms" which are cancerous: sexism, racism, classism. Rand's characters are such patently sexist archetypes, one almost gets the sense that Rand herself has a little self-contempt for being female. Dominique Francon desires her rape, longs to be dominated and crushed into a subhuman existence. Even the male heroes of the book, despite being the only characters to have "ideals", are driven underneath it all by the sexual urge. The book, like capitalist philosophy, essentially takes the low road in terms of its measurement of overall human character. The worst thing I could say about it is that is essentially a document embodying all the darker elements of capitalist ideology and I sincerely believe that it is a justification of all the unfortunate (or fortunate depending upon your power position) conditions that arise from a nation guided by these principles. The best thing I could say about it is that it is an extremely well-written character drama.
Rating: Summary: Freeing the mind Review: I would give this book 5 stars if I hadn't read Atlas Shrugged already. While at least one review calls Rand's philosophy simplistic, living the philosophy gives the lie to his assertion that it is undesirable. Rand's writings have given me a clarity of thought I heretofore had been denied. Her philosophy was a part of my life before I found her books, but I was under the impression that I was wrestling with Satan with my thoughts. Instead, I discovered that I was trying to deny my own existence by believing what I was taught. Rand helped give me the words to fight the battle for my Self. Do yourself a favor, read her books, and open yourself to existence.
Rating: Summary: Dominique Francon - Tragi-Heroine of the 20th Century Review: Immediately I opened "The Fountainhead" I was captured. Rand cuts through society's subterfuge, and amongst the detritus uncovers courage and romance.Roark is obviously the star; but for me, the mixed up Dominique Francon with her passion for Roark, but linkages with the forces that oppose him, sets the high water mark on sexy, powerful female characterization.
Rating: Summary: The very best Review: i have only on thing to say about this book, and it is that this is the best book i have ever read in my life.
Rating: Summary: GREAT BOOK!! Review: Hi all, I am a Junior in High School & i pickd up this book b/c my sister recommended it. Although lengthy, this book was probably the best i have ever read. It really makes you think about society & philospy. Defintly worth a re-read!
Rating: Summary: Super!! Review: I found this to be an amazing book with characters that only Rand could have dreamt of. I would recommend this to any book lover. Not to be missed!
Rating: Summary: A book better than those who hate it, and more valuable Review: I loved TF. It's not perfect and it's not as true-to-life as some books, but neither is the Holy Bible. This books' many enemies attack it with 15-dollar words but the truth is an intellectual is someone who is simply afraid. No one has all the answers, but any die-hard liberal has eaten far more confetti and called it meat than those who realize only You can truly take care of You, not any govt. or bureaucracy.
Rating: Summary: The Beginning of a Beautiful relationship Review: Ahh, the Fountainhead. I gave it 4 stars because it is not quite as good as Atlas Shrugged. But then again, if you are reading this you probably haven't read that book either. Look no further for a book about a man who does not know the meaning of the word "compromise", Howard Roark. Some people tend to take everything very literally (at least judging by other reviews). Howard Roark is a man who will not let his ideals be torn asunder by his coworkers, so-called friends, and associates. Neither will the media take him down. Is is an idyllic tale of a man who did something we all want to do: chase his dream. If there's something wrong with that, then I suppose we are all in some real trouble and this book isn't going to help!
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