The Fountainhead

It condenses most of her philosophy in a shorter book, without the intellectual whirlpools Atlas Shrugged is known for. The hero, Howard Roark, is an individualistic young architect who refuses to compromise his artistic and personal vision for success. He chooses to battle the establishment and stand by his values against all odds. The story is simplistic but it serves as a vessel for communicating liberal values like individualism, private property, innovation or capitalism. All of which are foundational traits for any creator (entrepreneur or not).

I remember reading Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. That's good fodder for a young man. It sets these bold, stark characters - you could even call them Christ figures - and you think to yourself, 'I want to be that'.

Sometimes I want to nerd out and pick a heavy non-fiction book. I was reading The Fountainhead earlier this year which was pretty beefy. Got that checked off the list.

Any book authored by Ayn Rand is sure to draw up controversy, and *The Fountainhead* is no different. The main character is an unapologetic spirit who shows no interest in compromising his work for the sake of humoring others. That uncompromising attitude, even when it gets him kicked out of school and jobs, is an inspiration when facing the tough career decisions. Do you take the cushy job that will slowly suck the soul out of you, or do you shoot for the moon? Do you make endless small compromises that ultimately degrade the value of the work you do? Or do you stand up for your ideals, even when it draws negative attention? *The Fountainhead* gives a definitive answer to this and a wonderful illustration of the struggles (and rewards) of such a lifestyle.

As an artist, creator, and someone who frequently finds himself “thinking differently” I love The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.