Ayn Rand and Leonard (AFT) Peikoff - The Fountainhead

Pros: Wonderful fiction and an intriguing philosophy.

Cons: Heavily steeped in Objectivism, beware if this isn't your cup of tea.

Review: "Fountainhead" in one of the most successful integrations of fiction and philosophy in literature. It is a literary manifestation of Rand's concept of Objectivism, and it's purpose is to tie this philosophy to a concrete example and champion,...

Pros: A beautiful vision of life as it should be

Cons: The characters and ideas won't appeal to some

The Bottom Line: A great book, with controversial ideas, that will deny all your previous expectations of what literature and morality should be.

Review: "The Fountainhead" is not quite as good as "Atlas Shrugged" (that is, of course, if you consider that to be good - I certainly do) but you have to look at it as a totally separate book, one that's a bit incomplete in its expression of Rand's philosophy,...

Pros: terrific story teller, explains her ideas to even the most simple minded ones

Cons: sometimes goes overkill with her ideas, characters are incredible sometimes, as in NOT credible

The Bottom Line: Ayn Rand is masterful in her work. It is one of favorite books of all time. If you give it a chance, you will not be disappointed.

Review: I read this book my freshman year on the request of my older sister and i have to say it has left a profound impact on me. I've never heard of Ayn Rand before but because I read this book, I ended up reading Atlas shrugged, Anthem, We the living, and...

Pros: Highly intellectual beneath an excellent story. Full of characters you care about.

Cons: Not for those intimidated by long books.

The Bottom Line: A masterpiece that should be read by everyone. A very interesting commentary on capitalism and life.

Review: The reader is taken on quite a journey in The Fountainhead. The story of Howard Roark, Peter Keating, Domonique Francon and company compels the reader to identify themselves with certain characters and provokes deep introspection. All the while,...

Pros: A mindgame, yet true to the point.

Cons: If you are this much in love with a book, a con is hard to find.

Review: There are times one's true principles matter--a principle that cannot be crushed even by the heaviest and the strongest power of society...and Howard Roark lived his life as if it was the last time he'll be able to stand up to what his instinct and...

Pros: Good story, great characters, outstanding values

Cons: Not everyone can appreciate it.

Review: The Fountainhead is simply my favorite book. I have been an avid reader all my life and I've never found another that "speaks" to me in the same way over and over again. I was an adult before I read this and truly did not put it down once I...

Pros: Advocates a lifestyle where one does not live for or parasitically off of others

Cons: Could lead to beliefs/behaviors that are not compatible with typical socialization patterns.

The Bottom Line: I highly recommend this book. It is well written, and contains a myriad of interesting characters. I do caution, however, not to blindly adopt or dismiss Rands philosophy.

Review: It took a few tries to get past the first few paragraphs of this book- but once I made it through the strange (to me at the time) writing style of this Russian-American author, I was dazzled.

Ayn Rand used this book (and others) to present...

Pros: Presents the life of an architect in that era quite precisely, and shows how conformity and individuality collide. good dialogue, and then there's Roark

Cons: your hands will get tired from not wanting to put it down all night

Review: There have been many questions beaming around in my mind about the architectural profession, me being a student of the course. This book did not give me answers, but it did give me inspiration and hope, even if it makes one indulge in...

Pros: inspiring

Cons: long for people who are not avid readers

Review: Ayn Rand caught my interest as a junior in high school and has been a favorite of mine from then on. I was required to read Anthem in school. As soon as I finished I read every Ayn Rand book I could find. The Fountainhead is the best of Rand. She...

Pros: engaging story, engaging characters, pages seem to fly by

Cons: rather lengthy, a bit overwrought with Rand's personal philosophy

Review: Upon reading the review by "najdorf," I was surprised to find someone who disliked the book so vehemently and rather completely juxtaposed my view on it. Of course, anyone is entitled to his or her own "epinion" of the book, however,...