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Title: My Years with Ayn Rand by Nathaniel Branden ISBN: 0-7879-4513-7 Publisher: Jossey-Bass Pub. Date: 12 February, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $28.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.78 (32 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Engaging and thought-provoking
Comment: I regard this as an excellent companion to Barbara Branden's "The Passion of Ayn Rand", to be read after it once you have an overview of Ayn's life; I often found myself cross-referencing between them. This memoir sheds a brand of personal light, written from the viewpoint of the man who was perhaps closest to the writer of "Atlas Shrugged".
I found the honest tone of Mr. Branden's memoir almost painful in its quest for sincerity. His assessment of Ayn Rand as a great thinker who pointed out the right direction for a new philosophy without perfecting its details is in perfect accord with my own opinion, and his expectations for the future of Objectivism are inspiring.
This memoir makes Ayn Rand very human, neither shying away from her faults nor disguising her virtues, and portrays her philosophical movement equally well, neither pandering to its admirerers nor insulting its detractors despite his own conviction in its basic premises. Objective writing at its finest.
Rating: 4
Summary: The unauthorized Objectivist history and then some . . .
Comment: What happens when a best-selling novelist-philosopher splits with her self-anointed intellectual heir? Answer: My Life with Ayn Rand by Nathaniel Branden. For those of us who find inspiration in Rand's tales of rugged individualism, Branden offers a personal memoir that humanizes the author of those tales.
Branden begins the story as a 14 year-old boy whose life is changed by reading the FOUNTAINHEAD. Six Years later Branden would meet the author and their meeting would began a friendship-affair that would last 17 years. In Branden, Rand found a person who truly understood and could champion her unique views. Their philosophical chats evolved into Branden spearheading a series of New York City lectures. The lectures would become such that their influence spread across the country. During this time, Rand published her masterpiece ATLAS SHRUGGED. She also dubbed Branden her intellectual heir and began a love affair that would eventually ruin everything.
But Ayn was 25 years older than the randy Nathan Branden. Nathan's eyes wandered to a veritable knockout of a student (Patrecia) and they began having a thing. Even the most devoted followers of Rand will understand Branden's dilemma when they see the young girl's modelesque photo.
As you can guess, Rand wasn't too happy with Branden's scorn. The irony is that her philosophy doesn't allow a person to rationally protest a dissolution. According to objectivism, Branden shouldn't be made to live his life for another person, even if that person is the godmother of objectivism. It's nothing new for a philosopher to live less than the ideals of his/her belief, but somewhat disappointing that the idealistic Rand would fall short.
You may want to read the book because you love Rand or hate her, but you'll enjoy Branden's frank and well-written account of their relationship regardless of your preconceived notions. I also liked that the memoir offers a history of the molding of objectivism. These were the days that Rand was expanding on her views and putting them in nonfiction written form. A lot of to like in this short history.
Rating: 4
Summary: Well-written and interesting
Comment: Despite the controversy throughout the Objectivist movement regarding Nathaniel Branden, this book is a must-read for those interested in the rise of Objectivism. While giving Ms. Rand high praise where it is due, Branden is also critical of Rand's behavior in some circumstances. However, as a Rand fan myself, I found his criticisms to be matter-of-fact and without loaded words or innuendos.
This book should be read by the open-minded thinker who can accept that to be a brilliant philosopher is not to be without flaws. I began reading this book as a great admirer of Rand's, and I am still one to this day. But now I have a greater understanding of who she was as a person in addition to an understanding of her wonderful ideas. This book (as well as Barbara Branden's biography of Ms. Rand), should not be missed by any Objectivist.
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Title: Passion of Ayn Rand by Barbara Branden ISBN: 038524388X Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 18 September, 1987 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title:Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life ASIN: 6305609241 Publisher: Image Entertainment Pub. Date: 19 October, 1999 List Price(USD): $24.99 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $22.49 |
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Title:The Passion of Ayn Rand ASIN: B000056BP0 Publisher: Showtime Entertainment 2 Pub. Date: 23 April, 2002 List Price(USD): $19.98 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $17.98 |
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Title: Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by NATHANIEL BRANDEN ISBN: 0553374397 Publisher: Bantam Pub. Date: 01 May, 1995 List Price(USD): $17.00 |
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Title: The Art of Living Consciously: The Power of Awareness to Transform Everyday Life by Nathaniel Branden ISBN: 0684838494 Publisher: Fireside Pub. Date: 16 June, 1999 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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