Customer Reviews

The Fountainhead (Cliffs Notes)

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I have read the Fountainhead many times and I was pleasantly surprised by this cliffs notes summary and analysis of the book. It includes a short biography of Ayn Rand but the bulk of the book is spent on detailed going over of Ayn Rand's plot, theme, and characters. It is fascinating to read an intelligent analysis of the characters I love. The gems of the book are the two critical essays; The Literary Integration of the Fountainhead and Ayn Rands Writing Style. This book is written by an Objectivist author and is definately worth buying.

Bernstein clears up many misunderstandings or deliberate distortions by unsympathetic critics. Rand's style of writing may be jarring to those who prefer Naturalism. It is worth reading or re-reading Rand with a guide and/or commentary. However, don't deprive yourself of the experience of entering and immersing yourself in Rand's world, which requires reading the novel. Use the guide sparingly as clarification is needed. Unfortunately, Bernstein sometimes refers to future events in chapters not yet read - be forewarned.

Bernstein provides a penetrating insight to this brilliant novel of ideas. Included are: a brief synopsis, a list of characters, a character map, critical commentaries on each of the four parts (with glossaries of important terms), detailed analyses of the major and minor characters, and an essay on Ayn Rand's writing style. There are even review questions, essay questions, and practice projects. The only complaint I have is that Bernstein doesn't describe the differences between the novel and the movie script--and there are differences. In some respects, Objectivist philosophy is an outgrowth of (and considerable improvement over) Nietzsche's philosophy. Bernstein points out on p. 59 that Rand kept a quote from Nietzsch at the head of her manuscript which says that there is "some fundamental certainty that a noble soul has about itself, something which is not to be sought, is not to be found, and perhaps also, is not to be lost."

This book really helps a reader see "the big picture". I read it when I was about 60% of the way through the book when I grabbed the Cliff Notes. It's a good way to do it; I wouldn't have been able to grasp the overall concept of Fountainhead without it.

Dr. Bernstein is becoming a prolific writer. This helpful assistance for those studying The Fountainhead will not dissapoint. I could've used this more than twenty years ago, when first reading that wonderful novel. Be glad it's available for you today.

This has everything you need to pass a test or write a paper on this arduously long novel. I could even sound somewhat intelligent during group discussion just having read these Cliff Notes. Good buy!

i am on an Ayn Rand kick and been listening over and over to the fountainhood tapes and wanted the cliff notes to make sure i wasn't missing anything-it was cheap and arrived promptly in good condition.jim