The Fountainhead
The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand
Larry Ellison
As a kid, I wanted to be an architect. That's before I read [this book]. I mean it is hard to find a profession that pays worse than architecture. - Larry Ellison
Jim Carrey
I would be Howard Roark and not Peter Keating in [this book]. - Jim Carrey
Mark Cuban
I'll pick it up when I need motivation. - Mark Cuban
Ev Williams
On the "books read" section of Ev Williams' GoodReads profile.
Tim Urban
I absolutely loved the book. Sure, the characters are extreme and one-dimensional - but to me, that was the point. - Tim Urban
+
14
All books

The Fountainhead

The Fountainhead

Ayn Rand
By
Ayn Rand
3.9
14454
ratings on Goodreads

In the stark, uncompromising world of "The Fountainhead," Ayn Rand constructs the monumental saga of Howard Roark, an architect whose radical designs and unbreakable spirit challenge the conventions of his time. Roark's battle is not just with the architectural establishment, but with the very fabric of society, which seeks to quell his individualistic flame. Rand weaves a tale that is as much a passionate advocacy for creative freedom and individualism as it is a story about architecture. Roark's journey is paralleled by that of Dominique Francon, a woman of breathtaking beauty and complexity, who becomes entwined with Roark's destiny in ways that are both destructive and redemptive. "The Fountainhead" serves not only as a narrative of personal determination and integrity but also as a critique of a society that despises the very values that lead to human progress. Through the tumultuous relationships and the fierce ideological battles that populate its pages, the novel explores the essence of human ambition, the struggle for achievement, and the power of the individual spirit. Ayn Rand delivers a thunderous indictment of collectivism and a resounding endorsement of the philosophy of Objectivism, positing that the ego, the self, is the ultimate source of human advancement. With its provocative themes and mesmerizing characters, "The Fountainhead" remains a defiant and compelling testament to Rand's towering vision, challenging readers to reconsider the sources of their own convictions.

Read more
Released
1943
15 Apr
Length
704
Pages

14

recommendations

recommendation

I would be Howard Roark and not Peter Keating in [this book]. - Jim Carrey
Defiant in its pursuit of one’s artistic goals, meaning you don’t compromise; you stay truthful to what you’re exploring. - Vince Vaughn
The protagonist’s audacious self-confidence and refusal to compromise his artistic vision—which was to say, himself—was a fascinating thing to survey. - Jesse Williams
It’s one of my favorite books. - Travis Kalanick
As a kid, I wanted to be an architect. That's before I read [this book]. I mean it is hard to find a profession that pays worse than architecture. - Larry Ellison
I absolutely loved the book. Sure, the characters are extreme and one-dimensional - but to me, that was the point. - Tim Urban
By the end of the book, I decided to drop out of school. I never returned. It was the best decision of my life. - Kevin Kelly
I do love [this book]. - Fred Wilson
[This book] is good a difficult long read though... - Shah Rukh Khan
I'll pick it up when I need motivation. - Mark Cuban
Healthy selfishness is a great thing. - Noah Kagan
Regarding economics, if you haven’t read [this author] lately, I suggest that you do. - Ray Dalio
I know, it's a cult. I'm not going to take it too far, but I did enjoy it. - Emma Watson
On the "books read" section of Ev Williams' GoodReads profile.
[Dean] “My dear fellow, who will let you?”[Roark] “That’s not the point. The point is, who will stop me?
— Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead

Similar recommendations

View all
Atlas Shrugged
23
people
person
The Alchemist
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
18
people
person
Siddhartha
Siddhartha
Hermann Hesse
16
people
person
Snow Crash
Snow Crash
Neal Stephenson
15
people
person
1984
1984
George Orwell
14
people
person
Anna Karenina
Anna Karenina
Leo Tolstoy
11
people
person
Crime and Punishment
Crime and Punishment
Fyodor Dostoevsky
10
people
person
Brave New World
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
10
people
person
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
10
people
person
One Hundred Years of Solitude
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
9
people
person

This site is part of Amazon’s Associates Program. Purchasing books recommended by successful individuals through my links earns us a small commission, helping keep the site running, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our site!