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Summary: The engineer as the ideal human type?
Review: Howard Roark, allegedly an architectural genius, is 'projected' in this work of so-called 'Romantic Realism' as the most concrete-bound of mechanical engineers. If, as we are told, other people are not real to him, how is it that his buildings take such marvelous account of the needs of their occupants? If the descriptions of his inspired, Frank Lloyd Wright-type buildings are accurate, why do the descriptions of his 'creative' processes all involve little more than engineering calculations? If, as we are told, he is capable of seeing nature only as raw material for buildings, how is it that his buildings seem to be such 'natural' extensions of the landscape?Roark is not an ideal human type; he is nothing more than a projection of Rand's own self-absorbed fantasies. The human mind is indeed the 'fountainhead' of human progress, but Roark's own concrete-bound, highly limited mind is not exactly a shining example of it. By the way, why is it that all of Rand's male heroes are rapists?
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Summary: A 725 page rant... on selfishism
Review: Rand's irrational philosophy is expressed (at length) in this poorly written book. Others like Emerson have expressed similar individualistic thoughts in a much more appealing and concise way.
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Summary: Will change your life
Review: The people who have slagged off this book in these reviews have really missed the point. They fear a world where they have to actually take responsibility for their own lives and their own actions. The book perfectly explains how to get your life in order by establishing the importance of personal integrity. If you want to understand why the insecure people put down the magnificence of this novel, then read it. Then you'll understand that like basically everyone, they saw similarities between themselves and some of the characters. As the novel goes on, they realise that what they thought were qualities in themselves were actually negatives and realised that they themselves try to force their opinion on everyone - explaining their need to come here and try to destroy other peoples' chance at true happiness. Howard Roark is an example of what we should always strive for - look after yourself, stand up for yourself, and never really care what others think of you as long as you're not interfering in their lives. In the spirit of the book and keeping in line with its core message - read it and decide for yourself. People who truly understand the book won't try and make you read it, but those who were scared to admit to themselves that they lack integrity and are obsessed with trying to control everyone (ie. those who make negative comments about this novel) will try and influence you not to read it.
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Summary: propaganda, not literature; i think Rand is totally wrong
Review: I am a teenager, to whom Ayn Rand is supposed to appeal the most. However, Rand's books are some of the most badly written I have ever read, and they are based on an utterly irrational non-philosophy. I find that Rand's fiction in general is a propaganda tool, much like the "socialist realist" fiction of the Soviet Union under Stalin. Although I find the writing in The Fountainhead slightly more bearable than Atlas Shrugged, I give the same argument about the contradictions of objectivism for both books: In an objectivist world, most individuals would be prevented from realizing themselves. Those who sought material gain would for the most part ignore the world of ideas (the only lasting source of individual progress). In addition, people would start out on different economic strata (often intersecting with racial hierarchies, a central problem in society which Rand also completely ignores). Those on top, in the drive for material gain which does not take into consideration the lives of others, would probably prevent those on the bottom from ever taking individual responsibility. Rand's individualism is fatally flawed because it only applies to a few, who, in her model of society, can control the lives of the rest. Rand's laissez-faire capitalism, under the pretense of individualism (i.e. "objectivism"), may well be an example of economic totalitarianism. Her so-called philosophy is certainly not "objective" for the majority of the world. Also, as history has proven, laissez-faire capitalism has almost inevitably led to the rise of monopolies and the consolidation of economic and racial groups, which undermine individualism completely. Finally, Rand's objectivism would do away with beauty, friendship, love, and family, leading to hatred and violence on an enormous scale. The environment would be destroyed within a few decades, leading to the extinction of humanity. This concept should appeal only to those who hope for this kind of future. All the people who gave the book unconditional praise in their reviews have to look a lot deeper Don't waste your time with the work of a BS artist--albeit one of the most successful BS artists ever. Read real philosophers instead --like Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Hegel, Marx, Mill, etc. And for those of you who want a well-written novel with real philosophy in it, check out Schopenhauer, Camus, Sartre...NOT Rand
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Summary: One of my favorites
Review: It`s a wonderful story with unforgettable characters.Howard Roark`s struggle against conformity,his unrelenting passion and ideals are a breath of fresh air even after 56 years. Read this book and be moved!
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Summary: A Brilliant Novel of Intellectual and Creative Freedom
Review: "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.
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Summary: Ego , probably the best thing to have happened to man ...
Review: I, Me , and Myself .... This novel basically advocates the nessecity to be true to oneself.and after reading the novel i beleive that "Ego is probably the best thing to have happened to man ...Since Eve "
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Summary: The Fountainhead serves those who "have problems with it"
Review: The book is alright but it would have been better if it dealt more with me instead of that selfish mean hermit Howard Roark. He keeps doing what HE wants instead of what others think he SHOULD do. He should not do that because it is anti-social. That is what I hate most about this book. All he cares about is what makes him happy instead of what makes me happy. I suspect that is why others rail against the book soooo much: Roark does not bow to them and they hate it. So do I, but I will give the novel some credit because for collectivists like me it gives us a villain to hate. Even if those low intellect people think he is a hero.
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Summary: A Celebration of Human Spirit & Heroism!
Review: 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.
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Summary: IT'S THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
Review: IF YOU EVER WANTED TO FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT BEING YOURSELF FOR WHO YOU ARE, AND NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK, YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. IN TODAYS WORLD OF BEING SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WITH TOO MUCH PERSONALITY ETHIC AND NOT ENOUGH CHARACTER ETHIC, IN THE MOST ELOQUENT WAY, THIS BOOK SAYS "BE YOURSELF AND DO WHATS RIGHT...AND DON'T DO IT FOR ANYONE ELSE BUT YOURSELF."
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