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Summary: The definitive literature of the 20th Century.
Review: Perhaps a few hundred years from now, critics , students and teachers of history and literature will recount this book with great passion and the effect that it had on the people of the 20th century who read it.
The Book sets out to prove a single point and in the authors own words it is: "Man's Ego is the Fountainhead of Human Progress". A Man who stands for himself and what he beleives in usually stands alone. That is the way to live, the reason for creation and the only human morality. Ayn Rand in this book defines the true meaning of human ego and what it takes to be a true egotist. A good thing "ego", not a bad one. I for one is someone who has read the book and for the most part beleive in it's presentation, conclusion and application of the ideas presented in the book in real life. Whether or not you fully agree with the principles presented in the book, it is a must read if you fulfill one criteria.. you must be a human
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Summary: eat this like you've never eaten anything before
Review: this book became my social and mental life for a while
you finish and you wonder where you can find these people
in your life
you will realize what it takes to be who you want to be
and why you should go through with it at all costs
if you want to have a brain, read this
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Summary: Gives you reason for being clear about what you like and why
Review: This book is about a person who has got clear ideas about
what he wants. These ideas let him develop his skills in the
best possible way. The guy is perfect in his work. To get
accepted he had to fight the world, because world is resistant
to any change from the normal behaviour. He had to spend some
time to make people understand what he is upto. He gets some
support from the persons who are similar to him in some ways.
Ultimately this guy gets the deserved appreciation for his work.
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Summary: An obvious shot at any ploitical policy of cooperation.
Review: The Fountainhead, in true Ayn Rand style, mocks the notion of collective thought and cooperative action. Using the principle, opposing in character architects, Keating and Roark, Rand illustrates her philosophy of individualism as god and collective thought as the downfall of man. It is well written, twisting the lives of several dynamic characters together in one man's final struggle for the freedom he desires. Roark is an architect, not because he enjoys money, not because he wishes to bring joy to his customers, but rather because he creates buildings that need to live. Keating, on the other hand is an architect for the prestige, borrowing every bit of any building he designs from past greats. This story, much like her 1984-ish Anthem, shows the struggle between the id and the super-ego. Overall, this book is worth reading- whether one is a capitilist or a socialist
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Summary: Powerful work of Modern Philosophy; Compelling Story
Review: Ayn Rand was the foremost advocate, and indeed the creator
of objectivist philosophy. Howark Roark is the champion of every man or woman who has ever felt beaten down by a system
created by and for self-serving incompetents. His unwavering
devotion to himself and his ideals is an impressive testament to Rand's philosophy.
Rating:
Summary: I don't have much to say
Review: If you are interested at all in art, creativity, individualism, the masses vs. the individual, etc., you should read this book. You would find it very intriguing. Ignore what other people have said regarding Rand's philosophy...just read the book and make your own decision. I thought it was quite interesting (and also very satisfyingly fast-paced), but now that you've read my review, you should read the book yourself. That's it, really.
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Summary: Compelling, Inspiring masterpiece - flawed philosophy
Review: The best value "The Fountainhead" offers is ENORMOUS courage in a man's struggle to achieve his values. There is hardly any other novel which so forcefully projects the beauty & glory of 2 great values: integrity, & independence.
"Fountainhead..." is a greater, more impacting novel than "Atlas...", though it does not share the epic & visionary elements, & the breath-taking scope of the latter.
The plus-point is characterization, more realistic situations, & more tenable ideas.
Though one may disagree with Rand's ideas regarding selfishness & selflessness - on her terms, from her specific, individual perspective - she is right.
For example, while people like Toohey DO exist - while people do exist, who try to destroy man's sense of self, his sense of his own magnificence, of self-reverence & thus kill his spirit, so that they can rule the mindless & spiritless - while such monsters have existed, & still do - I certainly don't accept Rand's idea that "altruism" or "humanitarianism" or "selflessness" have, by definition, or in history, anything to do with such men.
To kill people in the name of Yahweh, or Christ, or Allah, or "justice" or "love of mankind" certainly does not condemn the Bible or Koran, or have anything to do with justice & love.
What is more, Rand betrays her own philosophy of life in this novel. Those aspects of her vision that are truly sublime & exalting, which have an effect of expanding one's consciousness - which thrill a person with a sense of uplift - those very aspects which are NOT LOGICALLY a part of her philosophy of Objectivism - those very aspects make "Fountainhead..." an unparalled emotional-spiritual tour-de-force.
To read "The Fountainhead" is to be born again - to become something more than what one already is - to find something beautiful within.
It compels a man to a point where he yearns to realize within himself a certain grandeur, & make himself worthy of his own wonderment & joyous contemplation.
Characterization is Fountainhead's best aspect, - unlike the more consciously abstract, philosophical representations of "Atlas...", Henry Cameron, Dominique, Wyanand, Roark's friends etc. come across as POSSIBLE characters - through which Ayn Rand beautifully projects values, conflicts & errors in thinking which all of us share - sometime or the other - in life (often, throughout our lives).
The shattering of a half-known, half-realized dream; the torturous struggle of the mangled soul to retain its dignity & integrity; the sense of bewilderment & defeat when a pure soul confronts an apparently malevolent universe; the weakness of the fundamentally noble that cracks under strain...all these make Fountainhead's characters so full of life, vividness, poignancy & emotional power, that I'd readily uphold it as one of the most powerful novels I've ever read.
Though "Atlas..." too has forceful, passionate & inspiring, characters, they are more deliberate & unconvincing - they are more squeezed into carefully defined molds meant to convey a psychologically destructive & untenable philosophy.
On the other hand, the men & women who people "Fountainhead..." are more CONVINCING - they do not come across as contrived abstractions in a novel - they seem to be of flesh & blood.
And Rand has achieved this though they too are conceived as "philosophical abstractions".
They are essentialized, & yet startlingly REAL.
Here, as a writer who integrated philosophy & psychology in characterization, surpassingly, Rand stands as an equal of another awesome giant - Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Roark is, however, quite unconvincing - a little too artificial - but he is nevertheless GREAT.
Unfortunately, while I may view him as a good fictional, ideal hero (albeit somewhat dull & stiff) - I CANNOT accept him as an example to be achieved in "real life" - for, psychologically, I don't think such a man can be possible.
He is too colorless - too indifferent to the world around him - too self-absorbed to be true & credible - as if he cannot identify with anything in the universe beyond himself, & does not care to.
To see the ALL beyond oneself, as an integral part of one's identity is NOT to lose one's self, or self-sufficiency or self-reliance.
Though myself a complete recluse, I'll say that, to connect to people, to be a part of the tears & joys, the chaos & turbulence of the life that teems around us, is NOT to lose one's individuality, independence & integrity.
THIS, Roark lacks seriously.
But, his indestructible self-respect, integrity & sense of independence, - his serenity & immeasurable moral strength - make him immortal - unforgettable - worthy of a salute from the best in us.
In conclusion, Fountainhead is a MUST READ. The poetry & passion of the novel swept me away. Rand's sense of hero-worship is ecstatic, religious.
Unfortunately, Rand makes a mess of philosophy - she simply isn't profound enough, or true, or interesting, when it comes to philosophizing.
I'd caution the reader not to accept every definition or idea of Rand, but grasp the broader abstraction, which is often true.
Don't equate Toohey with "altruism" or something like that - but grasp that Toohey IS HATEFUL, with all his altruistic masquerading.
Rand seems to be unconsciously biased, & hasty, when it comes to a philosophic appraisal of history, or the world as such - and this makes extraction of the truly valuable from the erroneous in Fountainhead quite difficult.
But rare are those titans who have equalled her in her projection of overwhelming pain & overwhelming joy - in her celebration of genius, of the grandeur of the human spirit, & of the ultimate benevolence of the universe.
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Summary: The Ego is Not Your Friend
Review: Bismillahir Rahman ir Rahim
Rand's books appeal to the loneliness and hurt that hide in the hearts of people, especially youth. She speaks to our fears of powerlessness and vulnerability, but the remedies she offers are poisions that only exacerbate our problems. It is the opposite of a spiritual path, which teaches respect, compassion and humility. People want to be loved and we want our love to be accepted and valued, and this sort of book gives the illusion of security through a defensive position that promises to keep us safe from pain if we'll agree to say "I don't need you and I don't need anybody!" but the fact is that the opposite is true and such an attitude, if believed sincerely, actually prevents us from taking the steps we need toward healing and hapiness. Our deepest longing is to be together, interconnected, enjoying the spiritual contact that pierces our isolation and releases us from the prison of our ego. Rand says in this book that "man's ego is the fountainhead of human progress" but one could legitimately ask, progress toward what? Suicide? This book is full of clever tricks and traps and it may be better to never have come in contact with it -- but those of us who do, must learn in the end that we are surrounded by a network of love and support. We are not alone. *** Recommended instead of The Fountainhead: *The Book of Secrets* by Osho.
Rating: 
Summary: Read Atlas Shrugged instead
Review: I read this book after completing Atlas Shrugged. I started the Fountainhead keeping in mind that since it was written earlier in Ayn Rand's career than Atlas that it probably was going to be less refined, and perhaps less articulate in its philosophies. I was correct. Atlas Shrugged in my opinion is brilliant, and it has assumed a position on the top of my favorite books list. However, Fountainhead i felt was rather boring in comparison, and far less powerful. None of the characters possessed any real charisma that made characters in Atlas Shrugged such as Francisco D'anconia and Hank Rearden so memorable. Fountainhead also lacks any truly poignant scenes, resulting in a mesh of seemingly meaningless events making up the story. Roark's speech at the end in the court case is the only moment that is comparable to the radiant brilliance of Atlas Shrugged, and for the most part is the only piece worth re-reading in the book.
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Summary: Fast paced, tight and thought-provoking
Review: Whether you agree with the ideas Rand presents or think she is one with the devil, "The Fountainhead" is a powerful and moving book that I highly recommend. Although it is long, it is very tightly written. There are no unnecessary scenes, no irrelevant characters and no ad nauseum descriptions of sunsets and waterfalls.
There are several reasons I love this book, none having to do with the controversial philosophies of the author. The first is the amazing characterization. There were several people in the book that could have been drawn directly from people in my life: the social worker who works more out of self-righteousness than pure altruism, the over-blown academic who can read meaning and symbolism in trip, the professional who cares more about where his work takes him than the quality of the work itself. Rand doesn't draw these as flat characters. Instead we actually see their flaws and motivations in all there beauty and terror.
I also love the idealism of Roark. Several previous reviews have termed him "egotistical" with a "superiority complex", but that isn't how I see him at all. Would a professional who meets those descriptions lower himself to working as a common laborer at a quarry? Roark doesn't care if his work is good or not, let along that it is superior. All that matters is that it pleases him. He might work a menial job, but he wouldn't debase himself to produce anything but the kind of art that pleases him, whatever anyone else says about its quality.
The insight of the book into the power of the press and the country's growing socialization is another drawing point. I crack up whenever I read the Banner's editorial on parenthood in modern times. It describes how parents need to be just as loving toward and concerned about other children as they are of their own. It reads remarkably like Hillary Clinton's "It Takes a Village". In an age where talentless performers are at the top of the chart because of the right buzz, I can understand the idea that he who controls the media, controls the tastes of the masses.
A common criticism of "The Fountainhead" is the rape of Dominique by the hero. Like so much of the book, it is not something that can be understood if you only view it in a vacuum. Roark and Dominique have an almost transcendental bond. Throughout the book they start in the middle of conversations and understand each other as if they were one. Their violent first sexual encounter is not indicative of Roark's character or of their relationship.
There are some simplistic parts of the book: all capitalists are good, all socialists are bad, wanting to help people and do good is described as an excuse, not a noble motive. Still, there are so much good in this beautiful book that I consider it one that everyone should read.
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