The Fountainhead

By: Ayn Rand

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins

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)

Be aware that this is an abridged version

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

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.

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

America needs this book right now.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.....

great read

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

Eye opening for the open minded

This book is the most eye opening I've I've had the experience to read or listen to sense "how to win friends and influence people" . I highly recommend this book for anyone of any age wanting to understand the world and the way it should be and the way we should interact for a more positive outcome for society. Next up, Atlas shrugged"...

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.

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!

The version is abridged, with no reference thereto

Nowhere does it state that this is an abridged version. I started to follow the text with my printed copy and found sentences and even series of paragraphs omitted. I would not have bought the audiobook had it been made clear it is not the full version.

Don't buy this book

This book sucks! Ayn Rand is overrated hack. I'd rather be doing literally anything than listening to this book one more time.

Adolescent nonsense

I came to this tale expecting substance and challenging ideas, in view of how influential it has been for the evolution of politics in the second half of the 20C. Instead it turns out to be shallow, unengaging and predictable. The characters in a Marvel comic have more depth in them. Barbara Cartland's romantic novels appear like great literary milestones in comparison. I got to the end of chapter 2 but could face no more.

The ethical values which it embodies are centred around teenage solipsism, self-regard and the individual as a law unto himself. Definitely himself and not herself by the way.
Greatly admired by Alan Greenspan, the favourite book of Mike Pompeo and Mr Trump. On reflection, maybe high expectations were misplaced.

No complaints about the narrator. Poor chap having to drag himself through this dull mud.

great book

I enjoyed the story listened a couple of time. there's a lot of messages.
it's the first story book I've listened to so I may have under marked it.
I liked the character's too.
The narrator was good although sometimes I wasn't sure who was meant to be talking

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.

Into the core

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