Ayn Rand and the World She Made

Fabulous biography!!

Finally an objective (not objectivist!) biography of one of the 20th century's most important personalities. Heller weaves a compelling and credible narrative. This is a phenomenal read, one I would recommend to anyone and everyone!

3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Finally: A book about Rand not written by a sycophant.

This book is excellent. Rather than dwell on the complicapted nuances of Rand's philosophy alone, she delves deeply, and fairly, into Rand the person. I have long believed that the message can never be completely divorced from the messenger. Consequently, the message can never be fully understood without delving deeply into the psyche of the messenger who authored it. No matter how you may have felt about Ayn Rand's ideas and philosophy, your views will be forever effected by what you now learn about the woman herself. She was brilliant. She was dangerous. She claimed to be an Atheitst; but can you really call any person an Atheist when they consider themselves to be God? She was not alone, many of her follows treated her as if she was a deity. She was certainly at the center of an intellectual cult, demonstrating that a high IQ is no insurance against insanity. Many of these followeres seemed to be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. The author, much to her credit, gives it all to you without her own spin getting in the way. She repots the facts and only occasionally raises her eyebrows. It is wonderfull to read a book about a great 20th century ego, without your own ego getting in the way. This book never becomes a duel between Rand and Heller. If you are interest in Rand, or even if you are not, buy this book. It will wake you up both emotionally and intellectually. It is one of the best books I have read in a long time.

3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Boring

Ayn Rand had a crazy life the book sounded more like a thesis than her life.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Feet of Clay

If you're a serious fan of Ayn Rand's writings, you won't be able to put down this exhaustively researched, decently written, but ultimately depressing biography. I was once again reminded that seeing one's heros in all their glory, is not all that glorious. I know objectively, (as a former Objectivist) that I shouldn't expect a writer's life to live up to her characters, but in this case... Ms. Rand acted as if she and her characters were one, and I so hoped that this were true. Alas.

If you're one of the legion who's read a book or two of hers, and you're not as invested emotionally in her life choices being as consistent as some of us might have hoped, do pick up a copy. You'll enjoy learning from whence she came.

If you're neither a fan, nor a casual reader... I'd skip it. Her life is really only interesting in context.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Just too subjective...

It is clear from practically the first sentence that Heller respected neither Rand as a person, nor her philosophy. That would be fine, assuming she just presented facts about Rand's life and left the subjectivity to the reader. Heller did not. This book contains gem after gem of editorial whim that would probably make the book unreadable for a Rand Fan. Fortunately for me I am only interested in the roots of the philosophy, rather than Rand herself, so I was able to trudge through the book by skipping the frequent asides. On the bright side, if you agree with the author's decided political slant, then you'll probably enjoy this.

Heller is too intent on expressing her own opinions to write a good biography. Besides, she's a less than thrilling linear writer.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Where can I begin? The book Chapter 1-8 is a very nice telling

Where can I begin? The book Chapter 1-8 is a very nice telling and build-up of Ayn Rand and her lifes work, struggles, and yes, Genius. I was in total awe. But then, chaper 8 - the end, is a trip down to a gutter of hear say, and a giddy ramble of old worn out gossip, for only one purpose. You see, I was suspicious, after reading the Preface when the author admitted the fact she was not a fan of Ayn Rand nor her ideas. Immediately I thought "Why write a 400+ page documentary then?". I should have skipped to the acknowledgments where she expressly thanks Patricia O'Toole who's said to have received a fellowship from the Woodrow Wilson Int. Center for Scholars in Washington (which alone says it all), then the two most scorned people who won and lost the most through Ayn, still with an ax to grind 25 years after the woman died.. Nice try, but the woman achieved her own greatness. Heller will only achieve notoriety among a few progressive friends and suckers with this book, and will -still- have to thank Ayn Rand for that when it's all said and done. I think the book is a childish, pinko attempt at discrediting the IDEA they fear the most.. Individualism and a smart, truly free thinking, and productive society.

no knowledge of what Makes Rand Unique

This person mentions altruism 24 times in the book. Most of the times to attack Ayn Rand. How this book is described as balanced I dont see. Its mostly attacks and negativity about Rand.

The Rand Reality

An excellent historical and revelatory view of Ayn Rand and her philosophy. Very detailed and well balanced, with many personal observations from friends, relatives, colleagues, enemies, and Miss Rand herself. An interesting read.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Better written than Ayn Rand

Anne C. Heller's book is much better written than Ayn Rand's original work! Ms. Rand was an original but not a particularly likeable person!

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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