Regular price: $22.02

Membership details Membership details
  • A 30-day trial plus your first audiobook, free.
  • 1 credit/month after trial – good for any book, any price.
  • Easy exchanges – swap any book you don’t love.
  • Keep your audiobooks, even if you cancel.
  • After your trial, Audible is just $14.95/month.
OR
In Cart

People who bought this also bought...

Atlas Shrugged audiobook cover art

  • Atlas Shrugged

  • By: Ayn Rand
  • Narrated by: Christopher Hurt
  • Length: 52 hrs and 24 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 4,901
  • Performance
    4.5 out of 5 stars 3,050
  • Story
    4.5 out of 5 stars 3,054

This is the story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world - and did. Is he a destroyer or a liberator? Why does he fight his hardest battle not against his enemies, but against the woman he loves? Tremendous in scope, breathtaking in its suspense, Atlas Shrugged is Ayn Rand's magnum opus and launched an ideology and a movement. With the publication of this work in 1957, Rand gained an instant following and became a phenomenon. Atlas Shrugged emerged as a premier moral apologia for capitalism, a defense that had an electrifying effect on millions of readers (and now listeners) who had never heard capitalism defended in other than technical terms.

  • 4 out of 5 stars

  • Love the book, funny echo in the audio

  • By Rob on 02-16-09
Anthem audiobook cover art

  • Anthem

  • By: Ayn Rand
  • Narrated by: B. J. Harrison
  • Length: 2 hrs and 16 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 821
  • Performance
    4.5 out of 5 stars 741
  • Story
    4.5 out of 5 stars 744

“It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see. It is base and evil.” Deep issues of conscience are explored in Ayn Rand’s dystopian tale of a man who dares to fight against a system that invades his very mind and identity.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • Great read!

  • By Anonymous User on 06-28-17
We the Living audiobook cover art

  • We the Living

  • By: Ayn Rand
  • Narrated by: Mary Woods
  • Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars 731
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars 496
  • Story
    4.5 out of 5 stars 509

We the Living portrays the impact of the Russian Revolution on three people who demand the right to live their own lives. At its center is a girl whose passionate love is her fortress against the cruelty and oppression of a totalitarian state. Rand said of this book: "It is as near to an autobiography as I will ever write."

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • Emotionally intense, historically authentic

  • By Geoffrey on 08-14-08
The Virtue of Selfishness audiobook cover art

  • The Virtue of Selfishness

  • By: Ayn Rand
  • Narrated by: C.M. Hernert
  • Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 837
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars 518
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars 524

Ayn Rand here sets forth the moral principles of Objectivism, the philosophy that holds human life - the life proper to a rational being - as the standard of moral values and regards altruism as incompatible with human nature, with the creative requirement of survival, and with a free society.

  • 3 out of 5 stars

  • Rand Lovers Only

  • By Scott on 05-06-13
Capitalism audiobook cover art

  • Capitalism

  • The Unknown Ideal
  • By: Ayn Rand
  • Narrated by: Anna Fields
  • Length: 14 hrs and 14 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 574
  • Performance
    4.5 out of 5 stars 322
  • Story
    4.5 out of 5 stars 324

The foundations of capitalism are being battered by a flood of altruism, which is the cause of the modern world's collapse. This was the view of Ayn Rand, a view so radically opposed to prevailing attitudes that it constituted a major philosophic revolution. In this series of essays, she presented her stand on the persecution of big business, the causes of war, the default of conservatism, and the evils of altruism.

  • 4 out of 5 stars

  • Capitalism: The unknown ideal

  • By Robert on 12-19-09
Return of the Primitive audiobook cover art

  • Return of the Primitive

  • The Anti-Industrial Revolution
  • By: Ayn Rand, Peter Schwartz
  • Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne
  • Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 279
  • Performance
    4.5 out of 5 stars 215
  • Story
    4.5 out of 5 stars 212

In the 1960s and early '70s, the most prominent, vocal cultural movement was the New Left: a movement that condemned America and everything it stood for: individualism, material wealth, science, technology, capitalism.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • Why Hadn't I Read or Listened to This Book Sooner?

  • By Phyllis on 05-13-12

Publisher's Summary

The Fountainhead studies the conflict between artistic genius and social convention, a theme Ayn Rand later developed into the idealistic philosophy knows as Objectivism. Rand's hero is Howard Roark, a brilliant young architect who won't compromise his integrity, especially in the unconventional buildings he designs. Roark is engaged in ideological warfare with a society that despises him, an architectural community that doesn't understand him, and a woman who loves him but wants to destroy him. His struggle raises questions about society's attitude toward revolutionaries. Since this book's publication in 1943, Rand's controversial ideas have made her one of the best-selling authors of all time.
©1943 The Bobbs-Merrill Company, renewed 1971 Ayn Rand (P)1994 Penguin-HighBridge Audio

Critic Reviews

"Ayn Rand is a writer of great power. She has a subtle and ingenious mind and the capacity of writing brilliantly, beautifully, bitterly." (The New York Times)

What members say

Average Customer Ratings

Overall

  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    559
  • 4 Stars
    195
  • 3 Stars
    73
  • 2 Stars
    31
  • 1 Stars
    18

Performance

  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    453
  • 4 Stars
    116
  • 3 Stars
    37
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    8

Story

  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    404
  • 4 Stars
    124
  • 3 Stars
    61
  • 2 Stars
    18
  • 1 Stars
    16
Audible.com Reviews
Audible.co.uk reviews
Amazon Reviews
Sort by:
  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Be aware that this is an abridged version

Warning, this is an abridged version, the unabridged is 43 hrs, this is only eight hours.

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • MD
  • 03-17-12

One of the great books, but long.

What made the experience of listening to The Fountainhead the most enjoyable?

This book was narrated very well, with excellent clarity.

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

The tone and pitch of his voice was perfect for the story. He really captured the essence of all the characters so well that I could not only picture what they looked like, but felt their attitude as well.

If you could take any character from The Fountainhead out to dinner, who would it be and why?

None of them, they are all completely dysfunctional.

Any additional comments?

I've been trying to read (finish) this book for years. Thanks to Audible, I've finally done it.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Above my head I think

I love (my part) in a philosophical discussion. Maybe that's why I wasn't so into this book, but who am I to give bad ratings to such a classic?
I just didn't get this novel. Perhaps I just don't really like novels. I thought the characters were boring, melodramatic downers and I dunno. I'd like to have a discussion with someone who is educated and who wouldn't get mad at me for asking stupid questions about it

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

America needs this book right now.

great book about how America should be. Unfortunately I believe in this day Howard Roark is losing

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
  • A
  • 01-24-13

My bad!!

OMG!!! I was asleep at the switch!! I bought an ABRIDGED edition of The Fountainhead. I swore I would never buy another abridged title and I was suckered in by the sale. I wasn't paying attention. No wonder I hated it. And what a waste of a sale credit!!!!!!

Two stars overall because it is abridged--and abridgements are an abomination. They chopped away 3/4 of the book.

Three stars for the story--one extra for what it could have been

Five stars for Edward Hermann because he is always five star.

7 of 10 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Roger
  • Orlando, Florida United States
  • 08-30-08

Competence

This novel is about competence and the value of that to society. It is close to the same story as Atlas Shrugged, and I live that other title better. But would recommend both.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Judith
  • fort Worth, TX, USA
  • 10-28-07

Fountainhead

I waited too many years to tackle this book thinking it would be stuffy and difficult. It was neither. I sat up into the night listening to the rich and thoughtful story which was beautifully performed.

6 of 9 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Long Promise

About 4 years ago a friend told me to read this book - going to school and holding down a full time job - this wasn't possible - then I found Audibles - I loved this book - wanted more - it was such an insight....I want the next book, next books, I want to follow them through life.....

11 of 17 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Ivan
  • Budapest, Hungary
  • 07-24-08

great read

It's a great read for everyone, especially people who work in the fields or art and design. An eye opener.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

good

very good narration. Ayn Rand as passionate as ever. Which is to say what you think either way.

Sort by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Chris
  • 12-24-12

Good but I should have waited

I guess this is always the fear when you buy an old abridged novel, that the unabridged version is just around the corner - sure enough this is the .



As with Atlas Shrugged the reader does get bashed by the message but what did you expect.



While I don't agree with Rand, or Objectivism totally, she sure makes you think.



Buy the unabridged version.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Amazon Customer
  • 05-30-16

Pretentious but provocative

This book is certainly a worthy listen, especially with the narrator's performance. He really brings the characters to life, from the despicable ellesworth toole (spelling?) to the fascinating dominique franken. I always knew who was speaking, and felt like a fly on the wall to some historic events.

While the story itself was sometimes a bit much, with the characters feeling more like a parody and the story a bit preachy, it was still thought provoking, and has led me to much further reading. Also, remember that it was written in the 40s, where people did talk more like they do in this book.

If you are looking for something a bit more than fiction but less than a documentary, something to challenge your own thought processes and life motivations, I highly recommend this book!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Mads
  • 04-14-16

Into the core

............ . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ ..... .. . .... ...

0 of 2 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Tomas
  • 04-08-13

Short Version

This is a shortened version from the orginal 700+ pages-long book, so it isn't useful when trying to read the book while reading it ate the same time. Listening to the audiobook while reading the actual book helps me read faster as I go along with the audiobook's speed, and if playing on an iPod (and maybe on iTunes, I haven't tried), you can set the velocity of the audiobook faster or slower, which helps improve either your understandng of the story or your reading pace.
This audiobook file, although it isn't bad, it is not what I was expecting. At any moment before using my initial credit, did I know this was not what I was looking for as it was never specified to be a summarised version, and so I had to spend an extra credit on buying the complete file, which I thought at first was just another version, but now I know the difference was the other file, was the complete version and this just a shortened one which was no use.

0 of 3 people found this review helpful