Ayn Rand: Atlas Shrugged, the Fountainhead
by Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand: Atlas Shrugged,...
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The Fountainhead is one of the worst books I have ever read in my entire life. If Ayn Rand books were food, I wouldn't feed them to a starving dog. I'd say, dog, just lick your own balls. You'll be happier. Speaking of dog balls, man I'd rather sniff one than have to read this book again. What a piece of crap.
The meandering prose. The inability to grasp basic tenets of what it is to be human. And believe me, I've done my homework since reading the Fountainhead. Ayn Rand was a horribl...more
The meandering prose. The inability to grasp basic tenets of what it is to be human. And believe me, I've done my homework since reading the Fountainhead. Ayn Rand was a horribl...more
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Read in January, 1975
I was very taken with Ayn Rand when I originally read her books. I still find her logic compelling, however, she never really understood that compassion can be part of enlightened self interest. Her characters are intentionally very hard edged and idealistic, I get that. The problem is, like all conservatives, she has no room in her view of life for people who are unable to care for themselves. I recently discussed this with a friend who believed that people should just all be responsible for th...more
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Read in January, 1998
In my book, Ayn Rand still stands as one of the most powerful fictional writers capable of imbuing her work with philosophical ideals, and The Fountainhead is no let down. Yes, her characters can be a little one-sided, with unbending ideals they seem capable of upholding in the midst of the greatest strife. However, just being able to imagine and describe these kinds of intellectual pariahs and support their personas with such thorough background is a significant accomplishment.
The only poin...more
The only poin...more
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Read in July, 2008
I haven't finished reading this book yet (Atlas Shrugged) but can not say enough about it. Absolutely love it!! Everything I ever wanted to put into words is right there in the book. It's interesting especially to know that Ayn Rand has immigrated from Russia escaping communism. She did not even have to live in that socialist regime, unlike me, to know what it would be like. Some descriptions in the book, such as what happend when one factory went all socialist, is an embodiment of what the f...more
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Read in July, 2007
I never expected to enjoy this book as much as I did. I had heard of Ayn Rand being a mega-capitalist who promotes selfishness and looks down upon "primitive" peoples, etc. I knew she promoted all of these concepts in her novels, so I expected it to be a bunch of well-written political brainwashing. But after having read them, I found The Fountainhead (and Atlas Shrugged) to be more about the triumph of the human spirit. Whether her views are right or wrong, the woman is truly bril...more
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I support the arts, but I don't think that people should suffer because of some artistic ideal. We are on this earth to be kind to each other, not to subjugate people. I think this book is a rationalization for abusing people so that a beautiful city can be enjoyed (mostly by wealthy people). Sure, a blue-collar worker might say, that's a great-looking building I just helped create, but if he can't pay for his kid's doctor bills, that's not right.
There were certain parts of the book where ...more
There were certain parts of the book where ...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommended to Nicole by:
minter, but i had already found it in a used book shop!
This is an amazing, amazing book of thought. Through the novel Rand illustrates her philosophy of Objectivism. As an artist--and one who studied with architects--finding myself feeling like the black sheep in the lot most of the time, I was astonished. The Fountainhead articulated a lot of social and individual behavior that I have understood and also been frustrated by. The idea of the creative soul being genuine and self-directed as spiritual self-respect, driving against a crowd, against ...more
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Only read The Fountainhead and it was horrible. Two stars is generous. I couldnt even make it through Atlas Shrugged. I love her book We the Living which I believe was her first novel and the nearest thing to an autobiography from her and I cannot believe the same author put out these two books. I don't really understand the hype over either one they are overdone and too long with no real point. The characters are not real to me just idols of the ideas in her own head. Both books are about a 'p...more
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I learned not to make your AP class read something they really detested. WHile I loved the book I come form a different sensibility than my 21st century students and they had a really hard time juggling this book while attempting three or more other AP classes. This book is definitely for someone interested in philosopical issues and humanitarian issues as well as political agendas. A background in history would be necessary to 21st century AP students being able to assimilate the information...more
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I read this book in high school, and at the time became immediately drawn into the story. At the time I was unable to completely digest Rand's 'selfish/individualism/pro-capitalism' philosophy, but in hindsight, I still think the story itself has its merits. There are interesting plot twists, and even though the characters are pretty 1-D, they serve to better portray Rand's philosophy. I don't agree with her philosophy but I give credit to this book for waking me up, and challenging me to questi...more
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I have read both books. It was such a good book. It had me thinking about my goals in life, the reasons that I take the stand that I do, whether or not I have passion (romantically and for life). I used to read The Fountainhead at least once a year so I could re-evaluate my life choices. Atlas Shrugged made me think about society in general and how messed up we are. On a petty note, I really didn't like who the main female character ended up with. Rand has good ideas and themes that are worth...more
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Read in January, 2008
second (or third?) time around it's even more tedious. constant moralizing wears on me. i love the relentless faith in the individual, but the characters are so flat in order to hammer her political agenda, that the plot ceases to be entertaining and leaves me wishing i'd just read a paragraph summary of objectivism and spent the other 1800 hours reading something less redundant and more entertaining
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I'm still trying to figure out my reaction to this book. The whole time I was reading this book I kept on wondering why SO many people love it and consider the inspiration of their lives/careers. I think in purely literary terms it's <b>awful<b>! It's so damn redundant...I get it I get it Ayn, you don't like lazy "looters". You didn't need to write 1200 pages to get that across. Yet at the same time, I couldn't put it down. I also was motivated to do more with myself ...more
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i remembered having heard of "atlas shrugged" years before reading it. finally, my mother actually reco'd it to me and i bought it and loved it. it's not a short book but it's worth anyone's time.
the other book in this compilation of both Rand's novels is "the fountainhead" and it's just as good, if not better. perhaps my favorite book of all time. i own a early second edition that still contains the same errors as the first edition.
the other book in this compilation of both Rand's novels is "the fountainhead" and it's just as good, if not better. perhaps my favorite book of all time. i own a early second edition that still contains the same errors as the first edition.
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Ayn (pronounced eye+n) Rand presents a lot of well thought out ideas regarding the weaknesses of society. Her ideology, although well-meaning, is thoroughly flawed. Her world exists in a vacuum where nothing happens that is outside of the control of man, and where a man creates his own soul. Despite that, I really like this book.
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Read in May, 2008
Atlas Shrugged was a much much better read than I had expected. Well, that is once you get past the first 500 pages. Although I do not agree with many of her points I did come to understand her philosophical views much better than I had from just reading The Fountainhead. Unlike The Fountainhead where I can never remember most of Howard Roark's speech, I do remember and enjoyed most of John Gault's speech. I find much of her philosphy a bit outdated but the things that I still find relevent ...more
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Read in February, 2008
Couldn't find just "THe Fountainhead". I was long overdue to read this having fallen in love with "Atlas Shrugged" 10 years ago. THere are few books more inspiring than this one. I feel totally understood by the author regarding my own views on what honesty and integrity mean and how society often fails to recognize true talent and instead the masses subscribe to whatever belief/talent/skill is popular at the time.
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The Fountainhead is probably one of the best books I have ever read, and never would have done so had it not been part of my book club many years ago. Although there are some disturbing scenes the book would not be complete without them. I am typically what I consider a light reader - I read alot but typically light subjects. This book is about as far from light as you can get and I LOVED IT!
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The only interesting thing about this book is how millions of people adopted Rand's philosophy. Objectivism? Give me a friggin break. The way to recognize a douchebag with two years of college under their belt is to hear someone praise this or "Atlas Shrugged". For "Randian Libertarian", read "I got mine, fuck the rest of you". Glib assholes. Same goes for "Bonfire of the Vanities".
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Probably 2 of the most iimportant fiction books I ever read. While I am not in agreement with Rand's philosophy all the way, the books did impress upon me the need to be true to myself, and not to long for a govermnent welfare state. Rand's characters were larger than life and I would have liked to see a film made of Atlas Shrugged, as well as The Fountainhead.
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