The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, Leonard Peikoff
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Book Reviews of The Fountainhead
Book Review: Paradigm Shift
Summary: 5 Stars
Everyone should read this book. Everyone should read this book, not because the philosophy it espouses will be one that will have unanimous consent; not because the story is realistic or plausible; not for any of the wrong reasons, or even for any of the right reasons. For example, this book is an extremely fast-paced read that manages to suck you in within the first 50 pages and not let go of you until the very end. This book is also interesting and worthy of thought. However, this book's greatest merit, and if this were its only merit, then it would suffice to make the book great just by it being there, is that this book will change you.
After reading Ayn Rand, you will see things differently. You might not become a Howard Roark or a John Galt. You might not even become one of the lesser, but still virtuous characters. You might even have nothing but contempt for all of these supposedly virtuous characters who design their lives around self actualization through egotism and selfishness. But, you will see the world differently. You will suddenly see these traits of people. You will make comparisons. You will ask yourself the question "What would Ayn Rand think?" That is just how the book is written. It is written to create an indelible impression on every reader.
I know this, (Actually, I think that Ayn Rand uses this expression constantly in her book.) because my life was changed by this book. Not only because I neglected to do a lot of things because I would rather have read another chapter of this long book, but in the sense that my current ideology is shaped by the philosophy that she espouses. I don't necessarilly agree with all of the precepts, but I certainly sympathize with many of the more overarching ideals.
Sure, after reading this book you might become a jerk. Many people do, but at least as a jerk, you will be one that is somewhat well read. Any maybe, you will become quite the opposite, just to spite objectivism, but that's not too bad either.
In this way, the book is a work of art. It is guarenteed to create an impression of some sort and afterall, I am dubious that this could be said about every book, or even most books. In this way, Ayn Rand is more than a self-obbsessed philosopher, but a legitimate artist, whose works should be read by everyone who thinks. Yes, even if you are a liberal or a communist or a christian or even a Muslim.
Book Review: A Criticism of Criticism
Summary: 5 Stars
One reviewer, from "Virginia USA", seemed to sum up his screeching dislike for the book with the following comments which I've dissected and responded to. "Poorly Written, Obvious Plot This is a typical Ayn Rand novel. If you are part of the school of Objectivism, take a second to read back through this book. I find it ironic that the woman who started an 'intellectual' movement can write in such an obvious (and poor) manner. With no subtlety in style and little suprises to the plot, this novel truly reflects the shallow depths of American intellectualism. I'm baffled at it's long standing popularity."
Poorly written and unimaginatively plotted. Really? The concept of a bold architect, Roark, pursuing his career with integrity despite the incredible public loathing of his work which is driven by the actions of the woman he loves, Dominique, and his best friend, Gail, is not imaginative, original, and creative? Perhaps I have forgotten about the vast canon of literature celebrating the accomplishments of architects who choose a life of integrity, overcome hardship, and risk disdain, prison, and even life itself to achieve their goals.
Regarding the claim the book had no sublety, I must simply admit that perhaps the author of that review had a greater mind than mine. In fact, he must have a greater mind than almost all of Rand's readers. After all, we dolts who read her novels again and again are always finding new and insidiously well-hidden hints as to the characters' nature, personality, or motive.
As far as the claim the the novel reflects the utter shallowness of American intellectualism, I must agree. Unlike the novels of Sartre or Camus (the critic's more refined, Continental, sophisticated preference, apparently), Rand's novels are not so deep that their bottoms are hidden from sight. Sadly, there are no angst-filled miscreants, men who turn into cockroaches, or anti-heroes. Only plain, honest, shallow, men and women with their petty, uncool values of integrity, career, passion, and pride.
In the final analysis, it's probably a good idea to read these novels with a grain of honesty, not salt. If you disagree her ideas, fine. But do not attempt to slander Rand's writing skills unless you are prepared to do so with original criticisms that arise from an actual reading of the book in question.
Book Review: The Fountainhead
Summary: 5 Stars
The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand, was recommended to me by my brother. He told me it had a strong impact on him and his perspective on life. I decided that if this novel could have such an intense impact on its readers, it was a book worth reading.
The novel is primarily about Howard Roark and his battle against the world and its desire to destroy him and his ideals. Howard Roark is an architect whose greatest joy (and believed purpose in life) is to design and create buildings. Roark is an idealist, for he stands strongly by his principles-even when faced by extreme poverty. His struggle against society is characterized by his individualism (or egoism). Self-reliance and self-respect are his virtues; virtues not held by the common man. Roark's buildings are reflections of his human spirit, for they embody his ideals - self-respect and integrity. His buildings are condemned for their lack of beauty, yet they are praised by their mathmatical and structural genius. Roark's buildings do not contain an external facade; they have no columns, no arches. They simply, completely, and beautifully fulfill their purpose, displaying man's capacity for greatness. The novel depicts the life of Howard Roark and his individual perfection while contrasting the lives of weaker, more corrupt, and more successfull men such as Peter Keating and Ellsworth Toohey.
Ayn Rand's philosophy regarding egoism and individualism is extremely controversial due to its extreme repudiation of common conceptions. I believe certain aspects of her philosophy are quite beautiful and profound, but other parts are also radical. There is beauty in self-respect and individuality, which is depicted through Howard Roark and his unfaltered passion for designing his buildings with integrity, without corruption. Yet Rand condemns all acts of "selflessness" for she believes that these acts are truly selfish in the immoral sense. Seemingly selfless acts are often used to obtain power and control over those who are supposedly receiving aid. However, I believe there are exceptions. There are people who believe in God and truly desire to help others who are in dire need of it, who also believe in man's capacity for greatness, who may have both self-respect and humility. The novel is worth reading for it is a poignant story as well as a profound social commentary.
Book Review: The originator is not for popular entertainment
Summary: 5 Stars
If you want to read this book only to entertain yourselves then this book will not serve you. If you are traditional and like the idea of following what your previous generations have done and followed and treat them with awe or consider them respect without reasoning them out then this book will help you an encounter with a totally opposite realm of ideas. I will not say that it will be interesting to you. It is either possible that you undergo a paradigm shift or you hate the ideas presented in the book and write up a review loathing what is presented in the book. If you are moderate and do not have strong conviction on any idea then you may find the book whimsically nice and not pragmatic. And if you are the person who does not believe in tradition, culture or anything for that matter except reason then this book is a must read. If you are an architect irrespective of what genre you belong to it will serve you better to read this book. The philosophy of the book is simple but strong.
Just by virtue of the fact that man is born in a society it should not mean that he is a slave of the society by blindly accepting whatever the society thrusts on him or his ideas. He or she should think for himself and have his/her own convictions on things. An illustrious point can be, just by virtue of your being born to your parents, it should not mean that you should learn the subjects your parents choose for you or marry
the girl/boy your parents choose for you, and so on...
The individual should live for himself; he should have his own ideas; he should do things for himself. Only if there are such individuals can a society improve.
The words selfishness, egotism and collectivism used the book are in a subtler sense and do not carry the popular meaning and have to be understood from the context. Even in this age when team-work is the word of the day the ideas presented
in the book will still hold good, for without individuals who can stand their ground there cannot be a good team. The denunciation of collectivism is only in the spirit of saying that "too many cooks spoil the broth".
I feel that the plot and the characters in the book have been fastidiously built to bring out the philosophy of Ayn Rand which pitchforks individualism and reason to the top of all ideas and beliefs.
Book Review: The first good book I've read all year
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is absolutely stunning. After being forced to read pointless novels for English classes, this is like a breath of fresh air. Ayn Rand's philosophy is definitely singular; I don't care what the previous reviewers say who think they are superior to every differing mind set there is - they ought to try to come up with such a bold view of life and man. Honestly! Be a little openminded. I don't fully agree with Rand's philosophy, but I have absorbed some of the ideas and thought about them. You see, I'm only 16 years old and I'm struggling to develop my own philosophy and opinion of mankind. No, it won't be anything like that of Ayn Rand; but her concepts have broadened my mind. It took me longer than normal to read "The Fountainhead" because after every chapter or two, I had to pause and reflect and consider the things which had been stated. There are at least five interesting ideas, concepts, even just a nice quote to underline, on every two pages. I find myself unconsciously using Dominique or Roark as a role model for myself; yes, this may seem silly to you, but every character in the book is extremely influential in his or her own way. Whether the influence is good or bad is really up to the reader. That's what I like so much about this book. Ayn Rand has no partialities, she isn't biased in regards to her characters. She presents them to the reader all in the same way, and lets you decide whether Peter Keating is successful or a mere fake; whether Roark is sincere, whether he's as strongminded as he thinks he is, or if he will eventually break down and submit to the conventional methods; whether Dominique has any typical feelings or is just a machine turned on by her contempt of Howard Roark; whose side Toohey is really on; if Catherine Halsey is submissive or defiant; and so on and so on. These are the things I thought about; you think about them too, and make your own decisions about the characters and the philosophy hiding under this rather strange plot. (How many authors use the profession of architecture as the main theme and passion of the book?) But don't judge the book and the concepts it offers unless you have your own definitive philosophy which you know could persuade and convince every person in this diverse little world.