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The Fountainhead : A Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration
On May 22, 1993, , Stephen Cox and David Kelley held a conference in New York City to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of Ayn Rand's novel The Fountainhead. This book is the text of their two speeches which focused on both the literary achievement of the novel and the moral revolution it represents.
43 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1993
11 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
David Kelley
93 books68 followersDavid Kelley, Ph.D., is the founder of The Atlas Society in Washington, DC, which promotes open Objectivism, the philosophy originated by novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand.
He is an internationally-known expert in Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism. A former college professor of philosophy, he has written and lectured extensively on issues in epistemology, ethics, politics, social issues, and public policy. He has also been a consultant to the film adaptation of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged.
He is an internationally-known expert in Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism. A former college professor of philosophy, he has written and lectured extensively on issues in epistemology, ethics, politics, social issues, and public policy. He has also been a consultant to the film adaptation of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 16, 2008
Engaging, but ultimately annoying. Rand's style of saying the same things over and over, of beating you over the head with an idea (often repeating the same language) really compromised what I thought was a pretty good story. The contrived monologues that went on for pages and pages where the characters told us what we are supposed to think and the lack of real character development make this a really flawed novel for me. Too blatantly didactic for me.
July 27, 2013
This enduring classic was written in 1943 – now 70 years later Ayn Rand's philosophy against collectivism is as true today. Ayn Rand was a great literary novelist and philosopher, who shared her point of view through fiction.
This book is about an architect who dared to be passionate about his work and his integrity. It showcases how many people are willing to live a life of being second-handers. They are unable of thinking their own thoughts and simply follow along with the masses.
Ayn Rand’s philosophy on objectivism is explored, nor through boring doctrine, but rather unfolds through in a page-turning story of love, passion, truth, relationships and power. While it has all the ingredients of a good drama, it also encourages you to think and question some of your own values.
This book followed “We The Living” written in 1936 (which I’m now going to read) and also Atlas Shrugged (1957) which is my all-time favourite book on entrepreneurship and capitalism.
The Fountainhead is the perfect blend of an engaging and entertaining story, while also educating and making you think.
Sidebar: Since this book is 70 years old, it also offers good insight in to the culture of that time. The world was very man-centered, which comes through loud and clear where it was expected that a woman simply support her man and also quit her job once she got married. Fortunately, this has changed. Also, Ayn writes that of one of the female characters that she “was a petite lady only a size 12”. Unfortunately this has changed and the media has created a belief that size 12 is now extra-large.
Diana Young- World Traveler – currently sailing in the South Pacific for six month and #1 Amazon Best-selling author of Financial Fitness for Beginners.
This book is about an architect who dared to be passionate about his work and his integrity. It showcases how many people are willing to live a life of being second-handers. They are unable of thinking their own thoughts and simply follow along with the masses.
Ayn Rand’s philosophy on objectivism is explored, nor through boring doctrine, but rather unfolds through in a page-turning story of love, passion, truth, relationships and power. While it has all the ingredients of a good drama, it also encourages you to think and question some of your own values.
This book followed “We The Living” written in 1936 (which I’m now going to read) and also Atlas Shrugged (1957) which is my all-time favourite book on entrepreneurship and capitalism.
The Fountainhead is the perfect blend of an engaging and entertaining story, while also educating and making you think.
Sidebar: Since this book is 70 years old, it also offers good insight in to the culture of that time. The world was very man-centered, which comes through loud and clear where it was expected that a woman simply support her man and also quit her job once she got married. Fortunately, this has changed. Also, Ayn writes that of one of the female characters that she “was a petite lady only a size 12”. Unfortunately this has changed and the media has created a belief that size 12 is now extra-large.
Diana Young- World Traveler – currently sailing in the South Pacific for six month and #1 Amazon Best-selling author of Financial Fitness for Beginners.
April 5, 2008
If you are ever in doubt of who you are as a person or feel that your actions are done for the appeasement of others, give this tome a shot. Say what you will about objectivism, but the woman can intertwine a story and a philosophy seamlessly.
September 16, 2009
This book had a profound impact on me the first time I read it in high school. My life experiences and viewpoint have changed since then, but I still consider it one of the books everyone should read.
May 5, 2011
Wow. I thoroughly enjoy this book. I couldn't put it down. I was surprised that I've never heard of this book before. I've heard of Atlas Shrugged, but not the Fountainhead. A well written story about striving for excellence and genuine creativity.
December 27, 2023
These two short essays were presented at a 50th anniversary event celebrating Ayn Rand’s novel The Fountainhead. Cox is a professor of Literature at UCSD. Kelley is a philosopher who created The Atlas Society.
Cox mentions the literary achievements of three other writers celebrating liberty in the 1940s: Albert Jay Nock, Isabel Paterson and Rose Wilder Lane. He spends time discussing the scene in the novel when the hero, Roark, encounters Ellsworth Toohey, who has decided to do whatever he can to crush Roark’s career. Toohey asks Roark “ What do you think of me?” Roark replies, “But, I don’t think of you.” Toohey is fixated on Roark; Roark does not think Toohey worth consideration in any way. It is a powerful scene and a powerful message.
Kelley focusses on Rand’s addition of the virtue of productiveness to the mishmash of conventional virtues that have accumulated in western civilization in the last 2500 years. The Greek `virtues: moderation, courage, wisdom and justice. The Christian virtues: faith, hope and charity. Wisdom and faith contradict each other. Justice is opposed to another Christian virtue: mercy. Into this mess, Rand adds, productiveness, which presupposes rationality. Productiveness was never considered before the Enlightenment. Wealth was gained by conquering other lands. But since then, it is clear that wealth is created. And thus, Rand’s focus on the attributes and skills that create it.
Cox mentions the literary achievements of three other writers celebrating liberty in the 1940s: Albert Jay Nock, Isabel Paterson and Rose Wilder Lane. He spends time discussing the scene in the novel when the hero, Roark, encounters Ellsworth Toohey, who has decided to do whatever he can to crush Roark’s career. Toohey asks Roark “ What do you think of me?” Roark replies, “But, I don’t think of you.” Toohey is fixated on Roark; Roark does not think Toohey worth consideration in any way. It is a powerful scene and a powerful message.
Kelley focusses on Rand’s addition of the virtue of productiveness to the mishmash of conventional virtues that have accumulated in western civilization in the last 2500 years. The Greek `virtues: moderation, courage, wisdom and justice. The Christian virtues: faith, hope and charity. Wisdom and faith contradict each other. Justice is opposed to another Christian virtue: mercy. Into this mess, Rand adds, productiveness, which presupposes rationality. Productiveness was never considered before the Enlightenment. Wealth was gained by conquering other lands. But since then, it is clear that wealth is created. And thus, Rand’s focus on the attributes and skills that create it.
November 26, 2018
I'm not sure why this book and its author are so controversial. Maybe those who judge have never read this book. Satire? Romantic view of the way the world SHOULD be?
April 4, 2019
Heinlein-like science fiction, could do with some editing down
October 12, 2019
This high rating comes with a series of caveats that maybe make it a useless number. I really enjoyed a lot of what this book had to offer and I think the character of Howard Roark is pretty motivational really. A self-sustained egoist who doesn't care about anything except for what he's passionate about. Selfishness as a virtue? I'm listening.
Even some of the boring unnecessary descriptions of non-essential story items have a certain poetry and lyricism to them.
But it ultimately had me rolling my eyes a lot. So much so I had to do eye yoga for a whole month just to be able to see straight. See, there are so many brilliant little moments and insights and viewpoints on subjects that, even if you don't agree, are fun to ponder and puzzle out. And then there are all the stupid things that are just so stupid and one dimensional that I intellectually vomited dozens of times. I mean she has these cookie-cutter totally paper thing one-dimensional evil losers as the villains, who make no sense and then all of her "good" characters are these brilliant super mensches who are without flaw.....besides the rape. (that's kind of not a rape because the characters are so unspokeningly in tune with what the other one wants that it's actually the purest act of love... or something... we don't talk about that)
So I think this book has a lot of value in terms of thinking about things in possibly new ways. It's brilliant and comically naive at the same time! I'd recommend the audiobook.
Also the ending is TERRIBLE. (sidenote)
Even some of the boring unnecessary descriptions of non-essential story items have a certain poetry and lyricism to them.
But it ultimately had me rolling my eyes a lot. So much so I had to do eye yoga for a whole month just to be able to see straight. See, there are so many brilliant little moments and insights and viewpoints on subjects that, even if you don't agree, are fun to ponder and puzzle out. And then there are all the stupid things that are just so stupid and one dimensional that I intellectually vomited dozens of times. I mean she has these cookie-cutter totally paper thing one-dimensional evil losers as the villains, who make no sense and then all of her "good" characters are these brilliant super mensches who are without flaw.....besides the rape. (that's kind of not a rape because the characters are so unspokeningly in tune with what the other one wants that it's actually the purest act of love... or something... we don't talk about that)
So I think this book has a lot of value in terms of thinking about things in possibly new ways. It's brilliant and comically naive at the same time! I'd recommend the audiobook.
Also the ending is TERRIBLE. (sidenote)
February 25, 2013
SPOILERS
I read this book in an attempt to be open minded. I finished it the same way I finished watching "Birth of a Nation" - by forcing myself so I can admit I saw it through.
First of all, while I did like some attributes of the hero, being a rapist was definitely not one of them. I am not sure how the theory of egoism justifies the act except for in this instance, the "victim" by literary device actually wanted it. This pretty much turned me off to the finale of the book where he justifies other criminal acts because people took his ideas and changed them when he had a contract that said his architectural plans would be followed to a T. While, I am all sure we feel that way at times, justifying this as part of our right to pursue happiness is pure bullshit. The whole point of having a Republic that our founders envisioned was to protect individual rights while also looking out for the commonwealth to protect those rights. The idea that someone could result to an act of anarchy rather then the system of laws is a slap in the face to the founders.
The only solace I took from finishing this novel is that Rand did not have any issue, she was obviously too selfish to care for what she would likely have deemed "parasites". The world is likely better off without them if they were indoctrinated in her beliefs.
I read this book in an attempt to be open minded. I finished it the same way I finished watching "Birth of a Nation" - by forcing myself so I can admit I saw it through.
First of all, while I did like some attributes of the hero, being a rapist was definitely not one of them. I am not sure how the theory of egoism justifies the act except for in this instance, the "victim" by literary device actually wanted it. This pretty much turned me off to the finale of the book where he justifies other criminal acts because people took his ideas and changed them when he had a contract that said his architectural plans would be followed to a T. While, I am all sure we feel that way at times, justifying this as part of our right to pursue happiness is pure bullshit. The whole point of having a Republic that our founders envisioned was to protect individual rights while also looking out for the commonwealth to protect those rights. The idea that someone could result to an act of anarchy rather then the system of laws is a slap in the face to the founders.
The only solace I took from finishing this novel is that Rand did not have any issue, she was obviously too selfish to care for what she would likely have deemed "parasites". The world is likely better off without them if they were indoctrinated in her beliefs.
June 18, 2008
I began this book with an understanding of its place in literary history as the prelude, or warm-up act to Rand's masterpiece "Atlas Shrugged." I enjoyed her writing style and character development. This book offers a glimpse into the American 20's and 30's that did not focus on the Great Depression or Wall Street Collapse. For me, I related to the three main male characters and even found myself wondering if I had too much Peter Keating in my personality and not enough Howard Roark. That being stated, I found the last 250 pages of the book to be tedious and repetitive with respect to Rand's ideology. It was tantamount to being bludgeoned over the head repeatedly. Overall, this book was a positive experience for me and I would recommend it to any future captains of industry.
November 2, 2008
This is pretty much a black and white book about "creators" and "second-handers" with an odd love story woven in. In the begining I found myself wondering if there were still any people who thought and acted this way. Through the development of each main character I could see there were still people like this. Rand's discussion of society reminded me of other books written in this time period. Over all I enjoyed the book, I did think that it was a couple hundred pages too long. I enjoyed Part 4 the best.
March 31, 2008
I read this after I read "Atlas Shrugged" and found it to be a much more concise version of it. I love how Ay Rand makes her view of capitalism so compelling. Even when I want to disagree with her I find it hard to because I like her characters too much. I got lost in her extreme world while I was reading this...luckily I couldn't put it down and so after 3 days I was back to normal...middle of the road:)
August 28, 2008
The characters were complex and brought some unexpected moments to the story and the two soliloquies near the end of the book by Toohey & Roark were great.
That being said, it was a little too long for me. If it was cut down to 500 pages and she let the reader figure out her objectivism philosophy instead of spelling it out I think the story would have flowed better.
I can understand why people love this book though. A good read.
Thanks Wendy!
That being said, it was a little too long for me. If it was cut down to 500 pages and she let the reader figure out her objectivism philosophy instead of spelling it out I think the story would have flowed better.
I can understand why people love this book though. A good read.
Thanks Wendy!
December 27, 2008
I can't believe I listened to the whole thing. It was one of the worst books I've ever read. The characters were all unlikeable and completely unbelievable. The dialogue was more like lectures than conversation. The story made no sense and if the author was trying to convince readers of her point of view, she definitely didn't win me over.
November 21, 2007
This book is easier to read tna Atlas Shrugged and more compelling as a consequence. The themes are not so obvious as presented in Atlas Shrugged and as a consequence, the narrative works and the story keeps your attention. This is well worth reading.
March 28, 2008
When I first read this book I was much younger and found the story fascinating. Now that I've re-read this book I still appreciate Rand's ability to convey her philosophical ideals through her characters, but now see the more apparent heavy-hand. Still a good book.
March 31, 2008
This is one of the two most influential books I've ever read, the other being Atlas Shrugged. Basically, what I took away from this book was a drive to struggle toward my own personal goals without regard to the naysayers who would tell you you can't.
May 10, 2008
Ayn Rand writes an epic love story that was scandalous in the 30's and many still find it scandalous today.
In these pages you will learn what liberty and freedom really cost, and the price some people will pay to find true love.
In these pages you will learn what liberty and freedom really cost, and the price some people will pay to find true love.
May 15, 2008
Individualism; To hell with the collective good - if everyone did what they were meant/driven to do people would be happier, but even with this happiness the games played between persons will forever continue.
November 13, 2008
this book made me miss architecture for a hot second, and made me consider rejoining the ranks... but then i realized those very ideals the book speaks to are difficult to achieve in the real world... one day i'll just design homes in mexico for myself...
October 29, 2008
So. I found a copy of this at the thrift store and picked it up on a bit of a whim. I am glad I did as it turned out to be one of the best books I have ever read. The characters and underlying philosophy are truly gripping and make this a must read.
November 12, 2009
I read Atlas Shrugged in H.S., but didn't get it. Maybe it was that whole 70's thing? Anyhow, I think this book is a terrific read. Roark is the ideal character for Ayn Rand to introduce her objective beliefs and remind us about not compromising our values. I'll probably read it again.
March 3, 2008
To date, my favorite book of all times. It is the most well-written book that I have ever read.
March 12, 2008
It's really interesting - there is about a 20 page rant that I couldn't get through though. But the story and the character development is truly incredible.
March 15, 2008
Ayn Rand is eccentric and a tad crazy in her ideas, which makes her book entertaining and mind-boggling. LOVE this book. In my top 5.
March 29, 2008
Love Ann Rand, Love her!
March 31, 2008
Being an architect at heart, i simply loved this novel.
April 8, 2008
I have never completed this ... but would live to I keep getting about 100 pages in and then getting distracted. Seeems a little naive or idealistic today.
April 10, 2008
Inspired me to go to architecture school.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews