Category: Books

Fountainhead, Ayn Rand’s classic portrayal of her theory “Objectivism”
Fountainhead is a story of an extreme idealist Howard Roark, the hero, one who never compromises on his thoughts, his principles of life, and above all his work. The passion towards his work that is beyond the conventional standards and the way he tries to put forth his work in the society against all odds is what makes the novel a classic.
In his struggle he encounters people like Gail Wynand, the news paper tycoon; Ellsworth Toohey, who plays on his power to manipulate masses around; Dominique Francon, his true love;
The story has an interesting comparison of Howard Roark with a less than perfect Peter Keating. Peter Keating though the king in the world of architecture, recognition for him always seems to be hollow as he works on cluster of borrowed ideas.
Though certain elements of the story seem to be like hammering the reader with exaggerated Objectivism, there are certain true elements which make the reader ask his own self as to what is really applicable to him, what really matters him. She explained many true to the core questions with beautifully framed words…..like
“Look at everyone around us. You’ve wondered why they suffer, why they seek happiness and never find it. If any man stopped and asked himself whether he’s ever held a truly personal desire, he would find the answer. He’d see that all his wishes, his efforts, his dreams, his ambitions, are motivated by other men. He is not really struggling even for his material wealth, but for the second-hander’s delusion-prestige. A stamp of approval, not his own. He can find no joy in the struggle and no joy when he has succeeded. He can’t say about a single thing: ‘This is what I wanted because I wanted it, not because it made my neighbors gape at me’. Then he wonders why he’s unhappy”.
Ayn Rand no doubt has the nerve to put her ideas straight out of her heart but sometimes mixes so much of perfection into the characters that we get off hold feeling that this character can’t be real, can’t be human. Such is Dominique Francon, whom the reader finds it hard to understand and associate with.
I would accept much of her theory, though at my convenience, but would differ with many of those……..like when she says…in her book…
“ Our greatest moments are personal, self motivated, not to be touched. The things which are sacred or precious to us are the things we withdraw from promiscuous sharing”.
It can’t be always true…..as we all experience that happiness is enjoyed the most when it is shared. The complete life cycle process is surrounded around people and can’t deny the fact that other person’s life and his reasons do come our way…sometimes worth by our side and sometimes not. But that doesn’t mean a self-sufficient ego is what matters and everything else is like living a life second-hand. Definitely not.
All said and done. Fountainhead is a fascinating novel with specially carved characters. A novel that opens up your thoughts and makes you think. I would highly recommend this book to all those who have passion for their self.

Richard Branson’s life story is so adventurous that I can’t miss reading his books…This book is the jist of what his autobiography tells…and as a key notes, some of his quotations on what he believes in. A wonderful short book that can be carried for instant boostup. I just loved it. I’m also reading his autobiography…Losing My Virginity…..

Some Excerpts worth mentioning:

“You don’t have to go to art school to be a fashion designer. Join the fashion company and push a broom”

“Hard work and fun is what life is all about. As soon as something stops being fun, I think it’s time to move on. Life to too short to be unhappy. Waking up stressed and miserable is not a good way to live.”

“If you opt for a safe life, you will never know what it’s like to win.”

“Challenge is the core and mainspring of all human action. If there’s disease, we cure it. If there’s an ocean, we cross it. If there’s a wrong, we right it. If there’s a record, we break it. If there’s a mountain, we climb it….we have to continue to challenge ourselves….James Ullman”

“My grandmother lived life to the full. At the age of 89 she became the oldest person in Britain to pass the advanced Latin American Ballroom dancing exam. She was ninety when she became the oldest person to hit a hole on one at golf. She never stopped learning. In her mid-90’s she read Stephen Hawking’s book: A Brief History of Time, which may make her one of the few people to have read it all the way through. Shortly after her death at the age of 99 she went on a cruise around the behind in Jamaica wearing only her swimming costume. Her attitude was that you’ve only got one go in life, so you should get the most of it.”

Screw it……in brief

1. Just Do It

Believe It Can Be Done,
Have Goals ,
Live Life to Full ,
Never Give Up ,
Prepare Well ,
Have Faith in Yourself ,
Help Each Other ,

2. Have Fun

Have Fun,
Work Hard and Money Will Come ,
Don’t Waste Time – Grab Your Chances ,
Have a Positive Outlook On Life,
When it’s Not Fun, Move On

3. Be Bold
Calculate the Risks and Take Them,
Believe in Yourself ,
Chase Your Dreams and Goals ,
Have No Regrets ,
Be Bold ,
Keep Your Word

4. Challenge Yourself
Aim high,
Try New Things Always,
Try Challenge Yourself

5. Stand On Your Own Feet
Rely on Yourself,
Chase your Dreams but Live in the Real World,
Work Together

6. Live The Moment
Love Life and Live It To The full,
Enjoy the Moment,
Reflect on your Life ,
Make Every Second Count ,
Don’t Have Regrets

7. Value Family And Friends
Put the Family and the Team First,
Be Loyal,
Face Problems Head On

8. Have Respect
Be Polite and Respectful,
Do the Right Thing,
Keep Your Good Name ,
Be Fair in All Your Dealings

9. Do Some Good
Change the World, Even if in a Small Way Make a Difference and Help Others
Do No Harm
Always Think What You Can Do To Help.